Samantha Ruth Prabhu has completed 15 glorious years in the film industry, a journey marked by versatility, resilience, and constant reinvention. From her debut in ‘Ye Maaya Chesave’ to her transformation into a powerhouse performer, Samantha has evolved into one of the most bankable and admired stars of South Indian cinema. Sam is one of the most accomplished and versatile actresses in Indian cinema, known for her powerful performances across Tamil and Telugu films. She made her debut with Ye Maaya Chesave (2010), which earned her widespread recognition, and quickly established herself as a leading star with films like Eega, Theri, Mersal, and Super Deluxe. Beyond her commercial success, Samantha has consistently pushed boundaries with roles that challenge stereotypes, from The Family Man 2 to Shaakuntalam. With multiple awards to her name, including four prestigious awards, she continues to reinvent herself, balancing mainstream blockbusters with content-driven films while also stepping into production.
As she reflects on her career, the highs and lows, and her future in the industry, she sits down for an exclusive conversation with ETimes.
Fifteen years—how does it feel?
Fifteen years is a very long time. Parts of it feel like forever, and parts of it feel like a blur. I’ve come a long way. There are films that, when I watch now, I can’t believe I acted so badly. But that’s how I learned. I didn’t have mentors; I didn’t have someone to guide me. I didn’t even know the language.
You mean Tamil?
Yes, I had to learn everything from scratch. I had no friends in the industry—no connections, no distant relatives, nobody at all. Everything was new to me, and I learned on the job.
Which among your past performances makes you cringe?
The performances that make me cringe are the ones where I was struggling to fit in. Initially, most of the glamorous roles weren’t really me. I was trying to fit in, trying to be like my fantastic peers. I tried to look like them, act like them, dance like them. When I watch those performances now, I find them absolutely ridiculous.
Do you remember the first film you shot for?
The first film I shot for was Moscowin Kavery, and my co-star was my best friend to this day, Rahul Ravindran. But that film is a blur because we would shoot for a day, then have breaks, and resume after long gaps. However, Ye Maaya Chesave is different—I remember every single shot. The first scene I shot was the gate meeting with Karthik. I recall every little detail about that moment because it was a fantastic experience working with Gautham Menon. He knew exactly what he wanted and how the character should come across.
So that was your actual introduction to performing in character?
Yes, it was wonderful to truly sink into a character and feel like someone else for the first time. Not many roles since then have given me that level of immersion. That’s why I have now turned to producing.
Looking back, is there anything you would like to change about the past fifteen years?
I won’t discount any of the highs, lows, achievements, or struggles of the last fifteen years. But I am extremely excited about the next fifteen. I feel more mature and sure of myself now. I understand my strengths and weaknesses better. The last fifteen years were a learning experience.
Where do you see yourself in the next fifteen years?
I think it’s time to put all those learnings to use. I love what I do. Right now, I’m juggling many things at once, but none of it feels stressful. Strangely, working on just one thing—acting—felt much more stressful than the multiple projects I’m involved in today.
Why was acting alone more stressful?
It was stressful because I tied my self-worth to the success of each film. And success was never in my control. Every Friday became a source of anxiety because my confidence depended on box office numbers. That was a recipe for disaster. Now, I have a clearer perspective and am much kinder to myself.
You seem to be in a happy place.
I truly am. Although I work from morning to night, it doesn’t feel like a job anymore. It feels like I am doing everything I am meant to do. There’s so much purpose attached to my work now, and I’m really enjoying this phase of my career.
