Hyderabad, India – Samantha Ruth Prabhu presents a delightful contradiction—her recent release Maa Inti Bangaram, in which she plays a sari-clad saviour, is a ₹100-crore grossing hit and has positioned her as a leading action star. But she’s also a glowing expectant mother. In a candid cover interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, Samantha spoke about crafting performances, waiting for life to change completely, why she is a serial entrepreneur, and why she considered giving up films. What comes through, loud and clear, is her undying resilience.
The film, loosely inspired by her own life, was written by her husband and co-producer Raj Nidimoru after Sai Pallavi turned down the part. “It’s an exaggerated version of the resilience that most women around us have—who keep getting back up,” Samantha said. “Somewhere the lines between Swarna, me, Jhansi, all got pretty blurry.” She credited Raj’s presence on set for giving her the courage to return to acting after a two-year hiatus spent recovering from myositis, an autoimmune disease diagnosed in 2022. “When you work with someone who’s seen you through it all, you’re not scared,” she said. “There was such trust to go the extra mile knowing you’re in safe hands.”
Reflecting on her health journey, Samantha said, “I had built my identity on goals, results, performance, discipline. For the first time, when I was sick, I had to make peace with the fact that I wasn’t contributing in any way. I had to build value behind the person who I was, not what I was doing.” She also revealed that she withdrew from 15 to 20 brand endorsements upon her return, choosing to be more purposeful with her time.
On impending motherhood, she said, “I’d reached a place where I was okay either way. Both Raj and I were fine with either. So, this is a surprise. I’m truly excited.” Samantha also spoke about her production house Tralala, which she said will always prioritize female representation. “I think the biggest lie women are told is that we have to wait to be chosen, not choose,” she said. “It just needs one woman to take one step forward, and the rest will follow.”
