Samantha Ruth Prabhu recalls smiling for photos moments after learning of father’s death: I was kind of frozen...

Currently enjoying the success of her first film, Subham, Samantha Ruth Prabhu recently shared details of a very personal experience that illuminates the frequently hidden challenges faced by celebrities.

The actress-turned-producer recalled in an open interview with Galatta Plus how, despite being in shock and emotional turmoil, she kept posing for pictures with fans on the day she lost her father.

Reflecting on the incident, Samantha shared, “I never say no to pictures because they are the people who made you who you are. I remember just recently in December, I got a call in the morning from my mother that my dad has passed away. I had to take the first flight out of Mumbai to Chennai and I was in shock because I had not spoken to my dad in a while. I was kind of frozen on the flight without much reaction and I remember there were quite a few people who asked for my picture and I remember standing and taking all these pictures and smiling."

Despite grieving privately, she remained composed in public. Her decision to oblige fans, even in that vulnerable moment, was rooted in empathy and gratitude. “The thing is if you just say ‘no’, they don’t know what state you are in… it takes a lot of courage to walk up to someone and ask them to take a picture with you. So I didn’t want to say no and upset them," she explained.