In the world of film, it is rare to see someone break through regional boundaries and find success in multiple industries. Samantha Ruth Prabhu is one of those rare stars. From her early work in Tamil and Telugu films to her more recent appearances in the hit shows The Family Man (Season 2) and Citadel: Honey Bunny, she has become an unstoppable force. Samantha has a unique ability to blend physicality into her roles while balancing strength, vulnerability, and boldness.
In an interview with GQ, Samantha said, "I think every woman out there is kicking ass with a certain sense of vulnerability, no?” Samantha asks. “No woman is just pretty or just ambitious or just self-sacrificial. She’s a combination of several contradictions and complications. Those are the kind of characters I really like, the ones that have a little bit of everything. Because I am like that. A lot of people relate to my characters because they see a part of themselves in me.”
While Samantha may seem confident and powerful on screen, it hasn't always been easy for her. In fact, she has had to face many challenges, both personally and professionally, to become the person she is today. For a long time, she struggled with her self-image and felt paralyzed by the fear of how others saw her. She would wake up in cold sweats, her heart racing, overwhelmed by the fear of judgment. The harsh comments, especially those about her appearance, body, or skin color, took a toll on her. The online harassment she faced was not just about beauty standards, but also about how she was perceived as an actress and a person.
Did she receive support to cope with this constant negativity? The answer is no. Samantha explains that the way society judges women, particularly in the entertainment industry, can be harsh and unforgiving. She says, “Sure, the rules are different for men and women. I already knew that. But what I realised early on is that the rules also change depending on who you are, where you come from, and more importantly, who is backing you. I really wish I had somebody to guide me back then. But it’s alright—I’ve made my own mistakes and learnt from them.”
Samantha also shared how the pressure to fit into a certain mold was overwhelming. She spent years trying to conform to society’s expectations of what a woman should be. "There was a tremendous amount of pressure that I felt initially to conform," she says. "To fit in. To belong. To be validated. And the film industry doesn’t make it easier for you to tackle it—half the time you’re living out of a suitcase, going from one hotel room to another. It gets really, really lonely and this job has a way of feeding into your worst insecurities, your biggest demons.”
It was especially difficult for Samantha because she had already been battling personal struggles. "Asking for help is difficult in itself, but what makes it even worse is being surrounded by those who feed into your delusions instead of giving you a reality check. Actors are narcissistic. Let’s admit it. So just imagine: you’re narcissistic and then surround yourself with people who only tell you what you want to hear. It’s a recipe for self-sabotage. Before you know it, you could be spiralling out of control."
To stay grounded, Samantha has developed healthy habits that help her cope with the pressures of fame. One of the most important practices she follows is meditation. "Diligently meditate. Every day. I sit and really, really dig deep and ask myself the hard questions. Sift the constructive criticism from the snark. It has been a huge crutch for me to stay clear and saner in the head. It has also helped me in attracting people who can be more honest with me. And not a bunch of ‘yes men’ who simply agree to whatever I’m saying."
While Samantha has faced many challenges, she has also used her platform to advocate for meaningful change, especially for women in the film industry. She has spoken out about the issues women face in the workplace, particularly in terms of systemic sexual violence and inequality. She has supported groups like the Women in Cinema Collective, which works to address these issues, and she has pushed for the release of important reports on the matter, such as the one by the Voice of Women in the Telugu film industry.
“It was gut-wrenching,” Samantha says, describing her reaction to the details exposed in the report. “This is a place that I call my second home and having to face the fact that your home is filthy? It’s been really, really hard. Now the question is: Who will clean it up? And if not now, when? I need to contribute to it. It’s not a choice, it’s a moral imperative. Systemic change is going to be slow but we need accountability. I run a production house and it’s my responsibility to ensure the safety of women across the spectrum.”
Samantha’s own experiences with gender inequality in the industry have also motivated her to create a more inclusive environment on her sets. She openly admits that in the past, she was paid much less than her male co-stars, even though she had more experience. However, she has now taken steps to change this. "I’ve been in a place where I was paid much, much less than my male co-star. It happened despite me being the more experienced one. I’m proud that the production house that I run has guidelines where we pay actors equally irrespective of their gender. We also ensure an equal number of men and women in our crew. I don’t want any woman to face the same obstacles that I did.”
Samantha has also made it a priority to create a safe space for women on her sets. She ensures that they feel empowered to speak out if they ever face any kind of harassment, no matter how powerful the person responsible may be. When asked what more can be done to prevent misconduct, she explains, “More women in leadership positions. The culture goes top-down and the only way it’s going to change is when we have voices at the top and right now, in terms of representation, we’re doing quite badly.”
Samantha is also fighting against an outdated societal belief that a woman’s success is linked to her marital status. “I think this whole concern around me doing alright at this time comes from the place where we still believe that the idea of being a complete woman is being married and having babies. And if at my age, you haven’t achieved that, then you are automatically sad and lonely, which is so, so wrong. And untrue. What will it take for us to accept that a woman can be happy and thriving and full of life, even if she doesn’t fit the exact standards that society has put on her?”
When it comes to relationships and moving on in life, Samantha takes a mature approach. “I’ve been through too much in my life to dwell on that,” she says, showing that she has moved forward from her past. Is there joy, indifference, bitterness, or envy? “Oh no. One quality that I completely dissociate myself from is envy. I refuse to let that be a part of my core. I think envy is the root of all evil. Everything else is fine, but there’s no space for anything as unhealthy as envy.”
Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s journey is one of strength, self-discovery, and breaking barriers.
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