ELLE Cover Star: Feel The Power Of Samantha Ruth Prabhu

It’s 5:30 AM. The temperature in Udaipur is 45 degrees Celsius. If you happened to be in the lobby of the Raffles Udaipur Resort, you’d see a tall, lean figure effortlessly working the camera. In a stunning Anita Dongre ensemble, Samantha Ruth Prabhu romances the lens as the team captures the cover shot.

That’s the only picture you need to catch a glimpse into Prabhu’s life—a space that mainstream media is obsessed with and one that her 50 million followers across social channels are hankering to get more of. It’s safe to say that everything she does makes headlines. How does she deal with the constant public gaze, I ask her. “You know, my life is not so much that of a glamorous film star but more like a professional athlete,” she laughs in response.

The last couple of years have been tough for Prabhu, and she’s been very vocal about it. From dealing with a health challenge—an autoimmune condition, myositis— to navigating a very public divorce, Prabhu has never shied from owning her tough battles. I ask her if there’s anything she wishes she had done differently.

The answer is a quick, firm no. “We all wish we could change certain things about our lives, and I sometimes wonder if I needed to have gone through the things I have. But looking back, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I was discussing this with my friend a while back, and I always thought I didn’t want the last three years to have happened, but now I feel that you have to deal with whatever life throws at you. And as long as you come out of it, you have won. I feel stronger and more rooted than ever. That’s because I went through fire to get here.” And where does this strength to face every battle come from? “Call it a spiritual awakening,” comes the quick response.

Is spirituality a big factor in her life? “Spirituality has been extremely integral to my personal growth, and it translates into my work. It influences all aspects of my life—communication, perception, and handling of conflict. Spirituality has been the strength I needed to overcome many obstacles. In today’s world, you need spirituality more than ever because there’s so much pain and sickness. I believe that spirituality can be your best friend and an endless source of strength.”

This is Prabhu’s year, and the hustle is a part of her everyday routine. “I go back to shooting next month, and I am excited to give it my all. I am also currently training for my new role; most projects I take up push me to learn a new skill, and I love that.” She adds, “I have this drive to learn. As we speak, I’m learning five to six different skills, from martial arts to archery, sword fighting, horse riding, ballet, and many other things. I’m always seeking to learn. If I had to define myself, I would say that I am a student first.”

Prabhu is excited about three major projects this year. She feels that her past filmography, where she focused on quality over quantity, is holding her in good stead for the new wave of change in cinematic storytelling. “I am proud of the women in the industry who are demanding their space, and I am glad to be a part of this change. We are now asking for better roles and fully-fledged characters.”

“I’ve always felt that it is better to do fewer films with substance than a bunch without. I believe breaking stereotypes is very important, so I was particular about not doing the same thing; the audience would get bored,” she adds.

As Prabhu changes into her second look for the shoot, a zardozi and embroidered cord silk jacket set from Anita Dongre’s Rewild collection, the conversation turns to style. “Yes, my personal style has evolved over the years, but I’ve always had the most incredible team around me to help me look amazing. So, I would say the change has come from the influence of others.” Dongre is quick to add that this sense of openness to trying out things makes Prabhu a designer’s favourite muse. “These looks were created as an ode to the modern Indian woman, and Samantha is the perfect muse who embodies the intersection of our cultural legacy and ever-evolving progressive mindset,” says the designer.

With 24 years behind her in cinema, I ask Prabhu what keeps her excited on set even today. “Oh, my god, I still feel like a newcomer. I still feel like I have so much to learn. That’s the magic of films because you have to step into a different character and world with each script and make it your own. And that thought is terrifying and so, so exciting,” she smiles as she goes back to doing her favourite thing in the world: standing in front of a camera. 

ELLE India Editor: Ainee Nizami Ahmedi; Videographer: Shubham Madhyam; Photographer: Akula Madhu; Fashion Editor: Zoha Castelino; Asst. Art Director: Sanjana Suvarna; Hair: Flavien Heldt managed by Faze; Makeup: Avni Rambhia; Bookings Coordinator: Anushka Patil; Assisted by: Komal Shetty (styling), Aaryaa Chhabria (styling); Celebrity Coordinator: Office Hours by Aangi Nahta; Artist’s Reputation Management: Bazinga Entertainment; Location Courtesy: Raffles Udaipur Resort