Samantha Ruth Prabhu facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Samantha Ruth Prabhu
Samantha in 2022
Born	(1987-04-28) 28 April 1987 (age 38) Madras, Tamil Nadu, India
Other names	Samantha Akkineni
Alma mater	Stella Maris College, Chennai
Occupation	Actress
Works	Full list
Spouse(s)	Naga Chaitanya ​ ​ (m. 2017; div. 2021)​
Awards	Full list
Signature

Samantha Ruth Prabhu (born on April 28, 1987) is a famous Indian actress. She mostly works in Telugu and Tamil movies. Samantha is one of the highest-paid actresses in South India.

She has won many awards, including four Filmfare Awards South. She also has two Nandi Awards and a Tamil Nadu State Film Award.

Samantha started modeling while studying for her degree. She then began acting in the Telugu romance film Ye Maaya Chesave (2010). For this role, she won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut – South. In 2012, she made history by winning both the Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil and Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu in the same year. This was for her roles in Neethaane En Ponvasantham and Eega.

She later starred in many successful films. These include Dookudu (2011), Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu (2012), Attarintiki Daredi (2013), Kaththi (2014), and Theri (2016). Other popular movies were 24 (2016), Mersal (2017), and Rangasthalam (2018).

Her role in A Aa (2016) earned her a fourth Filmfare Award. She also received praise for her work in Mahanati (2018) and Super Deluxe (2019). Her performance in the Amazon Prime Video series The Family Man (2021) won her a Filmfare OTT Award. Samantha also started a charity called Pratyusha Support.

Early Life and Education

Samantha was born on April 28, 1987. Her parents are Joseph and Ninette Prabhu. Her father is Telugu and Anglo-Indian, and her mother is Syrian Malayali.

She grew up in Pallavaram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Samantha is the youngest of three children, with two older brothers, Jonath and David. She can speak both Tamil and Telugu very well.

Samantha went to Holy Angels Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School. After that, she studied commerce at Stella Maris College, Chennai. Towards the end of college, she started modeling. She worked with Naidu Hall, where filmmaker Ravi Varman first noticed her.

Acting Career

Starting Out and Becoming Famous (2010–2012)

Samantha began her acting career with the Telugu film Ye Maaya Chesave (2010). This movie was directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon. It was also made in Tamil as Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa (2010). Both films were highly anticipated.

Samantha got the role in August 2009 after a successful audition. The film was shot in India and the United States. It was released on February 26, 2010. Samantha played Jessie, a Malayali Christian girl living in Hyderabad. She falls in love with the main character, played by Naga Chaitanya.

Critics loved Samantha's performance. Many said she was a "scene-stealer" and very "alluring." Her debut was called "one of the best heroine debuts in Telugu cinema." She won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut – South and the Nandi Special Jury Award. Both the Telugu and Tamil versions of the film were big hits.

Samantha then appeared in the romantic drama Baana Kaathadi (2010). She played a fashion design student. Her next film was Ravi Varman's Moscowin Kavery (2010). This was the first film she started working on. Ravi Varman saw her in a commercial and knew she was right for the role. He called her an actress with "intelligence" and "potential."

She also had a supporting role in Brindaavanam (2010). Her performance was well-received.

In 2012, Samantha starred in Dookudu with Mahesh Babu. This film became one of the most successful Telugu films ever. Critics said Samantha looked beautiful and did a great job.

She also had small roles in two of Gautham Vasudev Menon's films. She appeared in Nadunisi Naaygal (2011) and the Hindi version of Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa, called Ekk Deewana Tha (2012).

Samantha had to leave two big projects in 2012. She was suffering from a health issue and needed a two-month break.

Her next big film was Eega (2012), a Telugu-Tamil bilingual project. She starred alongside Nani and Sudeep. Samantha played a micro artist who runs a charity. She seeks revenge for her lover's murder. The main character was a computer-generated housefly. Samantha had to use her imagination a lot while acting. She said the filming was "very stressful" but "satisfying."

The film, called Naan Ee in Tamil, received great reviews. Samantha also got high praise for her acting. Critics said she "blooms in the role" and showed "subtle expressions of love, fear and anxiety." The film was a huge commercial success.

Samantha then worked on another film with Gautham Vasudev Menon. It was a romantic drama made in three languages. She played Nithya in the Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi versions. The Tamil version was Neethaane En Ponvasantham (2012). The Telugu version was Yeto Vellipoyindhi Manasu (2012). Samantha said she could relate to Nithya's character. She even dubbed her own lines in the Tamil version.

The Tamil and Telugu films were released in December 2012. Samantha's performance in Neethaane En Ponvasantham was highly praised. Critics called it "possibly the best performance by a female lead in Tamil cinema this year." She won Best Actress awards for both Tamil and Telugu films at the 60th Filmfare Awards South. This made her only the second actress to achieve this. 2012 was a big year for her awards.

Big Successes and Mainstream Films (2013–2018)

After 2012, Samantha started appearing in more big-budget films. These movies often focused more on the male lead.

She starred in Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu (2013). This film was successful. Critics noted it was "good to see Samantha shed her glamorous side" for a performance-focused role.

The romantic comedy Jabardasth (2013) did not do well. However, critics said Samantha was "getting better by the day."

Samantha then starred with Pawan Kalyan in Attarintiki Daredi (2013). This film became the highest-grossing Telugu film at the time. She won Best Actress awards for her role.

In 2014, Samantha appeared in six films. She returned to the Tamil film industry. Her first release was Manam (2014). She played two roles: a young mother and a college student. Critics praised her work, saying she "excels" and "emotes well." She received another nomination for Best Actress.

She also starred in Kaththi (2014) with Vijay. This film was very successful. However, some critics felt her role was mainly to "smile and look pretty." She received a nomination for Best Actress – Tamil for this film.

Samantha also appeared in S/O Satyamurthy (2015) with Allu Arjun. Critics said she "enacts her part with grace."

She then played a dual role in 10 Endrathukulla (2015). Her performance received mixed reviews.

Samantha received positive reviews for her role in Thanga Magan (2015). She played a wife, a new type of role for her in Tamil films. Critics called her performance "impressive" and "mature."

In 2016, Samantha had a guest appearance in Bangalore Naatkal. She then starred in Theri with Vijay. Her performance was praised. The film became one of the most profitable Tamil films ever. This was a big commercial success for her in Tamil cinema.

Samantha also worked with director Vikram Kumar and Suriya in 24. She played the love interest and received praise for her comedy scenes. This film also did well at the box office.

She starred in three big Telugu films in 2016. Brahmotsavam was not successful. However, her role in A Aa with Nithiin was a huge success. She played Anasuya Ramalingam, a girl trying to escape her mother's control. Critics said A Aa was "undoubtedly Samantha's film." They praised her "stellar performance" and said she was "a joy to watch." This role won her the Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu.

She then appeared in the successful action film Janatha Garage. She also starred in Mersal with Vijay for the third time. Her performance was well-received. Mersal became one of the highest-grossing Tamil films of 2017.

In 2018, Samantha starred in Rangasthalam, which became one of the highest-grossing Telugu films. She also appeared in Irumbu Thirai and Mahanati. Both were successful. Her performances in Rangasthalam and Mahanati were highly praised.

New Roles and Online Shows (2019–Present)

After her first female-focused film U Turn, Samantha starred in Oh! Baby. This film was released on July 5, 2019. It was a remake of a South Korean film. Critics called her performance her "career-best."

She then starred in Majili with Naga Chaitanya. This was their first film together after their marriage. Her role was praised as one of the strongest female roles of 2019.

In 2020, Samantha played Janaki Devi in Jaanu. This film was a remake of a Tamil movie. Her performance received critical acclaim. In 2021, she performed her first dance number in the film Pushpa: The Rise. She danced with Allu Arjun in the song "Oo Antava Oo Oo Antava."

Samantha made her TV debut in 2020. She hosted a special episode of the Telugu reality show Bigg Boss 4. She also hosted a talk show called Sam Jam on Aha.

In 2021, Samantha starred in the second season of Amazon Prime Video's Hindi spy thriller series The Family Man. This was her first role in online content. She played the main villain, Raji. Her performance was widely praised. She won the Filmfare OTT Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series.

Her first film in 2022 was Kaathuvaakula Rendu Kaadhal. She played Khatija alongside Nayanthara and Vijay Sethupathi. In 2022, Samantha also starred in the Telugu film Yashoda.

In 2023, she appeared in the mythological film Shaakuntalam. This film was not very successful. She then starred in Kushi with Vijay Deverakonda. This film also did not do well.

In 2024, Samantha appeared in the series Citadel: Honey Bunny. She played Honey, a struggling actress. Critics praised her action scenes. Samantha will next appear in the series Rakt Brahmand.

Personal Life

In 2012, Samantha had a health challenge. She had an immunity disorder and needed a two-month break from acting.

Samantha started dating actor Naga Chaitanya in 2010. They had worked together in Ye Maaya Chesave. They got engaged on January 29, 2017. They married in Goa in October 2017, with both Hindu and Christian ceremonies. She then used her married name, Samantha Akkineni.

On July 31, 2021, she removed "Akkineni" from her social media name. This led to rumors about her marriage. On October 2, 2021, they announced their separation and later divorced.

On September 28, 2020, Samantha started her own women's clothing brand, Saaki World.

In October 2022, Samantha shared that she was diagnosed with dermatomyositis. This is a rare health condition. In August 2023, Samantha was a special guest at the world's largest Indian Independence Day Parade in Manhattan, New York City.

Giving Back to the Community

Samantha is very active in charity work. She donates money from her endorsements and events to her charity, Pratyusha Support. She started this organization in 2012. She wanted to help others after she was sick for a while.

Pratyusha Support helps women and children with medical needs. Samantha provides full financial support for the programs. In August 2013, she held a fundraiser. She auctioned off her items to raise money and awareness.

In 2014, she started a program to help children with serious illnesses. Samantha paid for children to fly on an airplane and visit the Taj Mahal. She also arranged for children to meet their favorite film actors. Samantha also helps spread awareness about haemophilia.

In January 2015, Samantha agreed to pay a third of the hospital bills for one infant per week. These infants needed intensive care at Andhra Hospitals. Samantha, the hospital, and the parents each paid a third of the bill.

In November 2015, Samantha agreed to pay for vaccinations for infants. She also took part in an organ donation pledge. During the 2015 Chennai floods, Samantha helped organize relief efforts. She gathered materials and asked the public to help Chennai. She also donated 30 lakh rupees for flood relief in Pallavaram, where she grew up.

Samantha also supports handloom weavers in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. She wears and promotes handloom sarees. In 2017, she launched Tweave. This was a business project with the Telangana Government to promote handloom products.

Filmography

Awards and Recognitions

Samantha has won many awards. These include four Filmfare Awards South, one Filmfare OTT Award, two Andhra Pradesh State Nandi Awards, four South Indian International Movie Awards, and three CineMAA Awards.

Images for kids

• Samantha Ruth Prabhu.jpg

  Samantha in 2014

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  Samantha in 2023

See also

In Spanish: Samantha Akkineni para niños