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In an interview, Samantha said it has taken a lot of mental health work for her to abandon the idea of perfection and embrace herself.
From her impactful work in South cinema to her captivating performances in The Family Man 2 and Citadel: Honey Bunny, Samantha has consistently captivated audiences with her raw talent and undeniable screen presence.
The rise of streaming platforms has blurred the lines between regional cinema, yet few actors have achieved true pan-Indian stardom like Samantha Ruth Prabhu. From her impactful work in South cinema to her captivating performances in The Family Man 2 and Citadel: Honey Bunny, Samantha has consistently captivated audiences with her raw talent and undeniable screen presence. Despite portraying intense characters, the actress maintains authenticity in her roles with effortless grace. Having said that, the star recently sat for an interview with GQ India, where she got candid about her unwavering commitment to breaking boundaries and challenging conventions.
Speaking about the subtle defiance that often characterises the roles she chooses, she said, “I think every woman out there is kicking ass with a certain sense of vulnerability, no? No woman is just pretty or just ambitious or just self-sacrificial. She is 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’m like that. A lot of people relate to my characters because they see a part of themselves in me.”
In the same conversation, the actress also opened up about the remark she used to get on her appearance, body, or skin colour. “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 have made my own mistakes and learnt from them.”
Elaborating further, Samantha said it has taken a lot of mental health work for her to abandon the idea of perfection and embrace herself. “There was a tremendous amount of pressure that I felt initially to conform. 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 lonely, and this job has a way of feeding into your worst insecurities, your biggest demons,” she added.
To avoid these seemingly dark scenarios, the actress revealed that she meditates to keep herself sane. “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 am saying.”