For the past five years, actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu has been building an entrepreneurial portfolio that mirrors her personal ethos around health, wellness, and mindful living. She has invested in 12 brands, ranging from the clean perfume line Secret Alchemist to the superfood brand Nourish You.
“It’s always been about alignment,” says Samantha. “Unless the brand reflects who I am, I don’t invest.” Her latest venture, Mile Collective, co-founded with Harshita Motaparthi and Pravishta Nadella, is a natural extension of that philosophy. The homegrown contemporary activewear label is designed not just for performance but for everyday living for women, with a product mix of leggings, shorts, tank tops, T-shirts, jackets and sports bras, alongside accessories such as tote bags.
“It had to be something I could live in,” Samantha explains. “From the gym to coffee to meetings, it moves with you, like second skin.”
Wellness as a guiding principle
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“For me, business is more than trends or sales,” she adds. “The focus is durability, wearability and fabric.” The actress sees this as a conscious departure from the usual celebrity playbook. “Over the last few years, I’ve stepped away from the conventional way of associating with brands and moved towards something more personal,” she shares. “I’m betting on myself — on my intuition, on the knowledge I’ve gained from my experiences — and on founders who share the same mission.”
This shift in mindset has also reshaped how she views wellness, moving beyond performance to a more holistic approach that prioritises listening to the body and choosing clothes and tools that make everyday life easier.
Filling a gap in Indian activewear
Mile Collective’s roots trace back to the pandemic, when it began as Mile Active. After graduating from Law school, Harshita found herself at home, working out with her mother and sister or simply lounging around. “Even though we belong to different age groups and have different preferences, there were hardly any Indian brands that ticked all the boxes,” she recalls.
Quality was a key concern, especially for activewear. “Brands either focussed on style or performance, rarely both. We wanted to fill that gap, giving equal importance to performance, style, comfort, functionality, and durability,” Harshita says.
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Special Arrangement
The debut collection started modestly with just four SKUs, without a heavy marketing push. Pravishta, who joined the brand in early 2025, was drawn to Harshita’s intentional approach. “She wasn’t rushing to capture market share,” Pravishta says. “She cared deeply about the product and the customer. Watching her build everything herself, from design to finance, made me confident I could contribute by scaling the business effectively.”
Designed for real life
Mile Collective’s attention to detail is deliberate. Fabrics are soft, breathable, and suited to India’s diverse climates, while cuts and silhouettes cater to multiple body types. Women can feel confident and comfortable whether at the gym or running errands.
Co-founders Pravishta Nadella and Harshita Motaparthi
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“Another important factor is, we wanted the brand to feel like it’s not intimidating because when it comes to working out, there are a lot of women who are just starting out while others are experienced; we want to meet them wherever they are,” shares Harshita.
Samantha emphasises durability over fast fashion. “We want you to buy it, but we discourage excess. Our products are built to last.” Prices for their OnTheGo collection range from ₹1,500 to ₹2,500 for core products, with accessories starting from ₹500. The collection is sold primarily via the brand’s website, with plans for selective omnichannel expansion.
Listening to women
Customer insight continues to shape Mile Collective’s identity. “We constantly ask our customers, ‘What else can we solve for you?’” Harshita explains. Feedback drives decisions on fabric and silhouettes.
“ Moving forward, the plan is to make sure that the cuts are something that Indian women feel comfortable in,” says Harshita.
Pravistha challenges a common misconception. Indian women are not necessarily price-sensitive; they are price-conscious. “If a product is really delivering and comes at a slight premium, people are willing to pay, as long as it truly meets expectations,” he says.
That value-driven mindset also informs Mile Collective’s growth plans. While the brand is currently focussed on activewear, its next phase will lean more into athleisure. “These are pieces you can comfortably wear beyond a workout, something you can dress up or down,” says Harshita. “We also want to get into innerwear and swimwear.”
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Special Arrangement
Published – January 27, 2026 03:19 pm IST
