- By Srishti Pandey
- Tue, 04 Mar 2025 08:49 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Samantha Ruth Prabhu recently reflected on her 15-year journey in the film industry, looking back at her growth as an actor. In an interview with TOI, the actress opened up about the struggles of tying her self-worth to box office success and shared which of her past performances now make her cringe.
Samantha made her acting debut in 2010 with Ye Maaya Chesave, a film that not only launched her career but also made her one of the most sought-after actresses in Telugu cinema. Looking back, she admitted that the early years were stressful because she measured her confidence based on her films’ performance.
"It was stressful because I tied my self-worth to the success of each film. And success was never in my control," she shared. "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."
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Samantha confessed that when she rewatched some of her earlier films, she found certain performances "absolutely ridiculous." She explained that this was especially true for roles where she was trying too hard to fit into the industry’s standards.
"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 be like my fantastic peers—trying to look like them, act like them, dance like them. When I watch those performances now, I find them absolutely ridiculous," she said.
Over the years, Samantha has evolved into a versatile actress with a mix of commercial hits and critically acclaimed performances. She was last seen in Shaakuntalam and Kushi in 2023, followed by Citadel: Honey Bunny in 2024. Currently, she is working on a web series titled Rakt Brahmand: The Bloody Kingdom with Raj & DK and a film Maa Inti Bangaram, which she is also producing.
From blockbuster films like Brindavanam, Dookudu, Attarintiki Daredi and S/O Satyamurthy to more experimental roles, Samantha has carved a space for herself in the industry.