Samantha Ruth Prabhu is an Indian actress, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, who is known for appearing in various South Indian films. She is the ex-wife of the South Indian actor Naga Chaitanya, son of Akkineni Nagarjuna.
Wiki/Biography
Samantha Ruth Prabhu aka Samantha Akkineni was born on Tuesday, 28 April 1987 (age 37 years; as of 2024) in Mumbai. Her zodiac sign is Taurus.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s childhood picture
Upto class 10, she studied at CSI St Stephens Matriculation School, Chennai.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s report card
She then attended Holy Angels Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School, Chennai.
A picture of Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s report card
She then pursued BCom hons. at Stella Maris College, Chennai. She studied French language in her graduation.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s graduation provisional certificate
While she was pursuing graduation, she started working as a model with Naidu Hall, a women’s innerwear label. She was spotted by the Indian filmmaker in one of her modelling assignments and offered a role in the film.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 5″
Weight (approx.): 50 kg
Hair Colour: Black (dyed brown)
Eye Colour: Brown
Figure Measurements (approx.): 32-28-34
Family
She belongs to a Christian family. However, she follows both Christianity and Hinduism. She is half Telugu (from her father’s side) and half Malayali (from her mother’s side).
Parents & Siblings
Her father’s name is Joseph Prabhu, and her mother’s name is Ninette Prabhu. She has two elder brothers named Jonathann Prabhu (physician) and David Prabhu.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu with Naga Chaitanya, her parents, and brothers
Husband & Children
In 2010, while she was shooting for the Telugu film ‘Ye Maaya Chesave,’ she met the Indian actor Naga Chaitanya. While shooting together for the film, they became good friends. At that time they both were in a relationship with some other Indian actors. In 2014, while they were working together again in the Telugu film ‘Autonagar Surya,’ they fell in love with each other. In September 2016, they confirmed their relationship, and on 29 January 2017, they got engaged at the N-Convention Centre in Hyderabad. Samantha wore an ivory saree on the event on which her love story was embroidered.
Love story of Samantha Ruth Prabhu embroidered on his saree
The couple got married in a Hindu ceremony on 6 October 2017 and a Christian ceremony on 7 October 2017.
Naga Chaitanya and Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s Hindu wedding
Naga Chaitanya and Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s Christian wedding
The couple got separated in October 2021 following which Naga took to Instagram to announce their separation.
Naga Chaitanya’s Instagram post about their separation
In 2022, the couple got divorced. Reportedly, she was offered an alimony of Rs 200 crore, but she declined the offer. Their fans used to call them ‘ChaySam.’
Relationships/Affairs
In 2012, she started dating the Indian actor Siddharth. After dating for around two-and-a-half years, the couple got separated. After her marriage with Naga Chaitanya, Siddharth made cryptic social media posts hinting towards Samantha and Naga’s relationship.
Siddharth and Samantha Ruth Prabhu
Autograph
Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s autograph
Career
Model
She has walked the ramp in various renowned fashion shows.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu walking the ramp in a fashion show
She has been featured in various photoshoots.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu in a photoshoot
She has also appeared in TV commercials for brands like Myntra, Ariel, Munch, Pepsi, and Dabur Vatika.
Samantha has been featured in the print advertisements of various brands such as South India Shopping Mall, Rexona, and Drools.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu in an ad
Film
Tamil
In 2010, she made her Tamil film debut with ‘Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa’ as Nandini (cameo role).
Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa
Some of her other Tamil films are ‘Moscowin Kavery’ (2010), ‘Anjaan’ (2014), ‘Super Deluxe’ (2019), and ‘Kaathuvaakula Rendu Kaadhal’ (2022).
Super Deluxe
Telugu
She made her Telugu film debut with the 2010 film ‘Ye Maaya Chesave’ as Jessie Thekkekuttu.
Ye Maaya Chesave
She has acted in various Telugu films like ‘Brindavanam’ (2010), ‘Eega’ (2012), ‘S/O Satyamurthy’ (2015), ‘A Aa’ (2016), ‘Majili’ (2019), and ‘Shaakuntalam’ (2023).
Shaakuntalam
Other Languages
In 2012, she made a cameo appearance in the Hindi film ‘Ekk Deewana Tha.’
TV
In 2020, she hosted a few Telugu TV shows like ‘Bigg Boss Season 4’ (Star Maa) and ‘Sam Jam’ (Aha; also writer and director).
Samantha Ruth Prabhu in Bigg Boss Telugu Season 4
Web Series
In 2021, she made her Hindi web series debut with ‘The Family Man: Season 2’ as Rajalekshmi “Raji” Sekharan. The series was streamed on Amazon Prime Video.
The Family Man Season 2
In 2023, she was roped in Amazon Prime Video’s Hindi remake of the web series ‘Citadel.’
Philanthropist
In 2012, after being bedridden for 15 days, she decided to start an NGO. In the same year, she started Pratyusha Support, an NGO which provides medical care and support to underprivileged women and children suffering from life-threatening diseases. In August 2013, she auctioned her several things and mementoes (from various films) to raise funds for the NGO.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu celebrating Diwali with Pratyusha kids
In 2014, she organised an aeroplane trip to the Taj Mahal for the NGO children. She made a pact with the Andhra Pradesh Hospitals in 2015 to pay one-third of the hospital bills of one infant per week. She has supported various other social causes like supporting the victims of Chennai Floods 2015 and helping handloom workers in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. In 2017, to promote the handloom sector in Telangana, she started a company named Tweave in partnership with the Telangana Government.
Entrepreneur
On 15 February 2017, she became the designated partner in the private firm SVS Partners LLP. She started a preschool ‘Ekam’ in 2020 along with the Indian actress Shilpa Reddy and educationist Mukta Khurana.
Ekam
On 26 December 2022, she started her film production company named Tra-La-La Moving Pictures Private Limited.
Tra-la-la Moving Pictures logo
She is the co-partner in the fashion label Saaki.
Other Work
In 2010, she appeared in the Tamil music video “Semmozhiyaana Thamizh Mozhiyaam” by A. R. Rahman. In 2021, she appeared in the song “O Antava Mawa” from the Telugu film ‘Pushpa: The Rise’ which became very popular.
O Antava Mawa
In 2023, she appeared in an episode of the Hindi reality TV show ‘MTV Hustle 3.0.’
Samantha Ruth Prabhu in MTV Hustle 3.0
Controversies
Backlash from Netizens
In 2013, she made a tweet on the poster of the Telugu film ‘1: Nenokkadine’ in which Mahesh Babu was seen walking and Kriti Sanon following him on her hands and knees.
Poster of Mahesh Babu’s film 1 Nenokkadine
Samantha had tweeted,
Saw a poster of a yet-to-be-released Telugu film. Not only is it deeply regressive, but its point is actually that it is deeply regressive.”
Mahesh Babu’s fans did not like her tweet and started trolling her in the comments section. Her that time boyfriend Siddharth also came in her defence. Mahesh’s fans became so angry over them that they started the #GetLostSamanthaAndSiddharth trend on Twitter. In 2023, while remembering Mahesh Babu’s film poster, netizens mocked her for the poster of the Telugu film ‘Kushi’ in which the Indian actor Vijay Deverakonda was seen touching his foot to her arm.
A tweet on the poster of Kushi
Fued with the Film Producer
In 2023, after the release of her Telugu film ‘Shaakuntalam,’ the Indian film producer Chitti Babu said that her career as a heroine was finished. She made a few more negative comments on her career. Later, Samantha also made a cryptic post on her Instagram hinting towards Chitti Babu. Later, she deleted the post.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s Twitter reply
Accused of Spreading Dating Rumours
In 2022, reportedly, on her instructions, her PR team spread the rumours of her ex-husband Naga Chaitanya‘s dating rumours with the Indian actress Sobhita Dhulipala. A netizen also commented on her photo that she will spend the rest of her life with cats and dogs only. Later, while replying to all such comments she said that she did not plant the fake rumours of Naga’s relationship and said that she would be lucky to spend her life with her pets.
Awards & Honours
- 2011: Filmfare Award South for Best Female Debut for the Telugu film Ye Maaya Chesave
Samantha Ruth Prabhu with her Filmfare Award 2010
- 2011: Nandi Award (Special Jury Award) for the Telugu film Ye Maaya Chesave
- 2011: CineMAA Award for Best Female Debut for the Telugu film Ye Maaya Chesave
- 2011: TSR-TV9 National Film Award for Best Actress for the Telugu film Eega
- 2013: Ananda Vikatan Award for Best Actress for the Tamil film Neethaane En Ponvasantham
- 2013: CineMAA Award for Best Actress for the Telugu film Eega
- 2013: Filmfare Award South for Best Actress for the Tamil film Eega
Samantha Ruth Prabhu holding her Filmfare Award for Eega
- 2013: Filmfare Award South for Best Actress for the Tamil film Neethaane En Ponvasantham
Samantha Ruth Prabhu holding her Filmfare Award
- 2013: Tamil Nadu State Film Award (Special Prize) for the Tamil film Neethaane En Ponvasantham
- 2013: Santosham Film Award for Best Actress for the Telugu film Eega
- 2013: Vijay Award for Best Actress for the Tamil film Neethaane En Ponvasantham
- 2014: Santosham Film Award for Best Actress for the Telugu film Attarintiki Daredi
Samantha Ruth Prabhu with her Santosham Award
- 2014: South Indian International Movie Award for Best Actress for the Telugu film Attarintiki Daredi
- 2014: Margadarsi Big Telugu Entertainment Award for Best Actress for the Telugu film Attarintiki Daredi
- 2015: South Indian International Movie Award for Best Actress for the Telugu film Manam
- 2015: CineMAA Award for Best Actress for the Telugu film Manam
- 2015: TSR-TV9 National Film Award for Best Actress for the Telugu film Attarintiki Daredi
- 2015: RITZ Solitaire Award in the solitaire category for works and contributions to films
- 2015: 2nd BehindWoods Gold Medal Award for Best Actress (People’s Choice) for the Tamil films Kaththi and Anjaan
- 2016: RITZ Southscope Lifestyle Award for Style in Cinema- South India’s Most Admired Fashion Icon
- 2016: South Indian International Movie Award for Youth Icon of South India
- 2017: International Indian Film Academy Award for Best Actress for the Telugu film A Aa
Samantha Ruth Prabhu with her IIFA award
- 2017: Filmfare Award South for Best Actress for the Telugu film A Aa
Samantha Ruth Prabhu holding her Filmfare Award for A Aa
- 2017: Nandi Award for Best Actress for the Telugu film Yeto Vellipoyindhi Manasu
- 2017: Santosham Film Award for Best Actress for the Telugu film A Aa
- 2017: Zee Cine Award Telugu- Queen of Box Office
Samantha Ruth Prabhu with her Zee Cine Award
- 2017: 4th BehindWoods Gold Medal Award for Best Actress (People’s Choice) for the Tamil films 24 and Theri
- 2018: 2nd Social Media Summit and Award for her films- Most Liked South Indian Actress
Samantha Ruth Prabhu with her Social Media Summit Award
- 2018: Sri Kala Sudha Telugu Movie Award for Best Actress for the Telugu film Rangasthalam
- 2019: TV9 Nava Nakshatra Sanmanam Award for Best Actor (Female) for Telugu films Rangasthalam, Mahanati and Oh! Baby
- 2019: South Indian International Movie Award for Best Actress (Critics) for the Telugu film Rangasthalam
- 2019: South Indian International Movie Award for Style Icon of the Year (Female)
- 2019: TSR-TV9 National Film Award for Citation of Honour
Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s honour from TV9
- 2020: Zee Cine Award Tamil (Special Mention) for the Tamil film Super Deluxe
Samantha Ruth Prabhu with her Zee Cine Award
- 2020: Zee Cine Award Telugu for Best Actor in a Leading Role – Female for the films Oh! Baby and Majili
- 2020: Critics’ Choice Film Award for Best Actress – Telugu for the film Oh! Baby
Samantha Ruth Prabhu with her Critics Choice Film Award
- 2021: South Indian International Movie Award for Best Actress – Telugu for Oh! Baby
- 2021: New York Cinematography Award for Best Supporting Actress for the Telugu film Mahanati
- 2021: Indian Film Festival of Melbourne Award for Best Performance (Female) in a Hindi Web Series for The Family Man (Season 2)
- 2021: OTT & Digital Marketing Innovation Award for Best Female Lead of the Year for the Hindi web series The Family Man (Season 2)
- 2021: Filmfare OTT Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series for the Hindi web series The Family Man (Season 2)
Samantha Ruth Prabhu with her Filmfare OTT Award
- 2022: Champions of Change Telangana – 2021 for her work in the area of social welfare through Pratyusha Support for Outstanding Contribution to the Development and Welfare of Women and Children
Samantha Ruth Prabhu with her Champions of Change Telangana 2021
Ranking
Times of India
- 2013: No. 9 in Hyderabad Times Most Desirable Woman 2012
- 2013: No. 2 in Chennai Times Most Desirable Woman 2012
- 2014: No. 12 in Hyderabad Times Most Desirable Woman 2013
- 2014: No. 9 in Chennai Times Most Desirable Woman 2013
- 2015: No. 9 in Hyderabad Times Most Desirable Woman 2014
- 2015: No. 3 in Chennai Times Most Desirable Woman 2014
- 2016: No. 5 in Hyderabad Times Most Desirable Woman 2015
- 2016: No. 7 in Chennai Times Most Desirable Woman 2015
- 2017: No. 12 in Hyderabad Times Most Desirable Woman 2016
- 2017: No. 3 in Chennai Times Most Desirable Woman 2016
- 2018: No. 21 in Hyderabad Times Most Desirable Woman 2017
- 2018: No. 16 in Chennai Times Most Desirable Woman 2017
- 2019: No. 3 in Hyderabad Times Most Desirable Woman 2018
- 2019: No. 3 in Chennai Times Most Desirable Woman 2018
- 2020: No. 1 in Hyderabad Times Most Desirable Woman 2019
Samantha Ruth Prabhu featured in Hyderabad Times list
- 2020: No. 7 in Chennai Times Most Desirable Woman 2019
- 2020: No. 17 in India’s Top 50 Most Desirable Woman 2019
- 2021: No. 2 in Hyderabad Times Most Desirable Woman 2020
- 2021: No. 1 in Chennai Times Most Desirable Woman 2020
Samantha Ruth Prabhu featured in Chennai Times
- 2021: No. 34 in India’s Top 50 Most Desirable Woman 2020
Other Ranking
- 2021: No. 3 in Top 10 Indian Web Series of 2021 – The Family Man TV Series (Season 2) by IMDb
- 2021: No. 3 in Most Tweeted about Actors (Female) in South Indian Entertainment by Social Networks
Car Collection
Tattoos
She has a tattoo of the ‘YMC’ initials of her debut film Ye Maaya Chesave on her back near her neck.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s tattoo
Her second tattoo is the nickname ‘Chay’ of her ex-husband on the right side of her ribcage. In October 2023, it was speculated that the tattoo was removed by her as in her photos the tattoo was not visible.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s Chay tattoo
Her third tattoo is two upward arrows on her right wrist.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s tattoo on her right wrist
Expensive Things/Valuables
- Pair of Manolo Blahniks (cost between Rs 98,000 and Rs 1 lakh)
Samantha Ruth Prabhu wearing a pair of Manolo Blahniks footwear
- Gucci Sling Bag (costs around Rs 1.4 lakhs)
Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s Gucci bag
- Bvlgari Serpentini watch (priced at Rs 6 lakh)
Assets & Properties
- A house in the posh Jubilee Hills in the neighbourhood of Hyderabad
- A duplex apartment in Hyderabad for about Rs. 7.8 crore from Nalla Preetham Reddy
- An apartment in Jayabheri Orange County, Hyderabad, India
Net Worth
As of 2023, her net worth is around Rs 89 crore.
Favourites
- TV Show: The West Wing (1999)
- Book: The Secret by Rhonda Byrne
- Food: Sushi, Sweet Pongal, Dairy Milk Chocolate, Paalakova
Facts/Trivia
- She also goes by the names Yasodha, Yasho, and Sam. Her ex-husband used to call her Papaa.
- While she was studying in school, she used to be a topper.
- For her pocket money, she started working as a model at a very young age.
- In her leisure time, she enjoys reading books, listening to music, shopping, gymming, gardening, and horse riding.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu during her vacation
- One of her cigarette-smoking videos with her ex-husband once went viral on social media.
- She is often spotted consuming alcohol at various parties and events.
- On her 36th birthday, a temple of her was built by her fan named Tenali Sandeep at the premises of his house in Alapadu village of Bapatla district in Andhra Pradesh.
A temple of Samantha Ruth Prabhu built by his fan
- She has been featured on the cover of various magazines such as JFW, B Positive, Elle, Filmfare, Fanta, and Cosmopolitan.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu featured on JFW magazine
- She follows a vegan diet.
- She is an avid animal lover and owns two pet dogs named Hash and Saasha.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu with her pet dog
- Samantha is a spiritual person and often visits various religious places.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu sitting infront of an idol of a deity
- She has started a self-titled YouTube channel on which she uploads podcasts.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s YouTube channel
- In 2013, she was diagnosed with diabetes.
- In 2015, the houses of a few South Indian actors including Samantha were raided by the Income Tax Department.
- In an interview, she said that for good roles in films, she decided to lower her salary.
- In March 2022, she became the second-highest-paid South Indian actress after Nayanthara.
- She was invited as the chief guest at the world’s largest Indian Independence Day Parade in Manhattan, New York City in August 2023.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu at the Indian Independence Day Parade in Manhattan, New York City
- She has been diagnosed with myositis, in which the immune system of the body attacks the muscles resulting in inflammation, weakness, and pain. She even took a long break from the films for her treatment.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu at a hospital during her treatment
- Reportedly, she went under the knives to enhance her facial features.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s before and after photo
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education