For the past five years, actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu has been building an entrepreneurial portfolio that reflects her personal ethos around health, wellness and conscious living. He has invested in 12 brands, ranging from clean perfume line Secret Alchemist to superfood brand Nourish You.
“It’s always been about alignment,” says Samantha. “Until the brand reflects who I am, I don’t invest.” His latest venture, Mile Collective, co-founded with Harshita Motaparthy and Pravista Nadella, is a natural extension of that philosophy. The in-house contemporary activewear label is designed not only for performance but for women’s everyday life, featuring accessories such as leggings, shorts, tank tops, T-shirts, jackets and sports bras, as well as tote bags.
“It had to be something I could live in,” says Samantha. “From the gym to coffee to meetings, it moves with you like a second skin.”
Well-being as a guiding principle
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
“For me, the business is about more than trends or sales,” she adds. “The focus is on sustainability, wearability and fabric.” The actress sees this as a conscious departure from the usual celebrity playbook. “Over the past few years, I have moved away from the traditional way of connecting with brands and moved towards something more personal,” she shares. “I’m betting on myself – on my intuition, on the knowledge gained from my experiences – and on founders who share the same mission.”
This shift in mindset has also changed how she views wellness, moving beyond performance to a more holistic approach that prioritizes listening to the body and choosing clothes and equipment that make everyday life easier.
Bridging the Indian activewear gap
Mile Collective’s roots go back to the pandemic, when it launched as Mile Active. After graduating from law school, Harshita found herself at home, working or simply relaxing with her mother and sister. “Even though we belong to different age groups and have different preferences, there was hardly any Indian brand that lived up to all the standards,” she recalls.
Quality was a major concern, especially for activewear. “Brands focus on either style or performance, rarely both. We wanted to fill that gap by giving equal importance to performance, style, comfort, functionality and durability,” says Harshita.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The first collection started modestly with only four SKUs, without heavy marketing pressure. Praveesh, who joined the brand in early 2025, was attracted to Harshita’s intentional approach. “She was in no rush to gain market share,” says Pravista. “She cared deeply about the product and the customer. Watching her create everything herself, from design to finance, gave me confidence that I could contribute by effectively growing the business.”
designed for real life
Mile Collective’s attention to detail is intentional. The fabrics are soft, breathable and suitable for India’s diverse climate, while the cuts and silhouettes suit many body types. Women can feel confident and comfortable whether they’re at the gym or running errands.
Co-Founders Pravishtha Nadella and Harshita Motaparthi | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
“Another important factor is that, we wanted the brand to feel like it’s not intimidating because when it comes to working, 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 emphasizes sustainability over fast fashion. “We want you to buy it, but we discourage overdoing it. Our products are built to last.” Prices for their OnTheGo collection range from ₹1,500 to ₹2,500 for main products, with accessories starting at ₹500. The collection is sold primarily through the brand’s website, with plans for selective omnichannel expansion.
listening to women
Customer insights continue to shape Mile Collective’s identity. “We constantly ask our customers, ‘What other solutions can we do for you?’” explains Harshita. Feedback drives decisions on fabric and silhouette.
“Going forward, the plan is to ensure that the cut is something Indian women feel comfortable with,” says Harshita.
Pravista challenges a common misconception. Indian women are not necessarily price-sensitive; They are price conscious. “If a product is performing really well and comes at a modest premium, people are willing to pay that, as long as it really lives up to expectations,” he says.
That values-driven mindset also informs Mile Collective’s growth plans. While the brand is currently focusing on activewear, its next phase will lean more on athleisure. “These are pieces that you can wear comfortably even after a workout, something that you can dress up or down,” says Harshita. “We also want to wear innerwear and swimwear.”
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
published – January 27, 2026 03:19 PM IST