With a week to go for its release, Samantha's Maa Inti Bangaram has been generating steady buzz since its trailer dropped. Director BV Nandini Reddy has now drawn an unexpected but telling comparison for the film — Rajinikanth's Baasha.

Responding to suggestions that the film's promotional material bore a resemblance to Radhika Apte's Mrs Undercover, Nandini was quick to set the record straight. She clarified that Maa Inti Bangaram is not a spy thriller, and that the more accurate reference point is Baasha — a story built around a character with a concealed past that gradually comes to the surface. She also stressed that the character is layered with soul, emotion and vulnerability, rather than being a conventional action archetype.

On Samantha's performance, Nandini was effusive. "She is now on another level and is fantastic in every scene, whether it is comedy, emotion or action," the director said, adding that the film would entertain across the board.

Besides Samantha, the film stars Gulshan Devaiah, Diganth Manchale and Gauthami in key roles. Samantha produces the film under her banner Tralala Moving Pictures, with Raj Nidimoru and Himank Duvvuru co-producing. Santhosh Narayanan composes the music.

Maa Inti Bangaram is set to release in theatres on June 19.