Samantha Ruth Prabhu, who is known for keeping her personal life private, has recently opened up about the challenges she faced after divorcing actor Naga Chaitanya in 2021. She spoke candidly with Galatta India about the social judgment and emotional burden often attached to divorce, especially for women.
“Divorce carries a heavy stigma and shame for women,” Samantha noted. “I have had numerous derogatory remarks labeling me as ‘second-hand’ or ‘used,’ and many imply that I have a ‘wasted life.’ Society tends to push women into a corner, making them feel like failures burdened with guilt for not being married anymore. This struggle extends beyond individuals to their families as well.”
Samantha pointed out that women have to bear the brunt of harsher scrutiny than men in both cyber and real-life scenarios. She reflected, “For years, I had to live with fake stories about my life. I would like to have a say in them sometimes, but I didn’t. I asked myself, ‘What do you gain by telling your side? ’ Perhaps a momentary sense of support, but that can be fleeting.
Those who back you today may turn against you tomorrow over trivial matters.” Despite the hardships, Samantha chose to reclaim her narrative in a powerful way by repurposing her wedding dress as a symbol of resilience. “Initially, it was painful,” she admitted. “But then I decided to embrace it. I’m separated; I’m divorced. My life hasn’t been a fairytale, but that doesn’t mean I’ll hide away or lose the courage to live fully.
It wasn’t about revenge; it was a way of affirming, ‘Yes, this happened, but my story continues.’”
Today, Samantha is thriving in both her personal and professional life. “I am happy, collaborating with amazing people, and excited for the next phase of my journey,” she stated.
This journey of Samantha gives women going through similar challenges some very important lessons: own your story and embrace your reality without shame; mental health and personal growth are worth more than any external judgment; new beginnings can be found in endings, sometimes; silence is strength, and turning pain into purpose shows that one is resilient and empowered. Samantha’s experiences resonate with anyone dealing with societal judgment and personal struggles, demonstrating that resilience and self-belief can lead to a fulfilling life beyond adversity.
