Samantha Ruth Prabhu has shared her experience of facing public scrutiny after her divorce from Naga Chaitanya in 2021. In a recent interview, she discussed the emotional toll of being labeled a “divorced woman” and dealing with the societal stigma and hurtful comments that often accompany it. Samantha spoke candidly about the cruel remarks she received and how she chose to rise above them.
The rumors surrounding Samantha and Naga Chaitanya’s separation began when Samantha removed the surname “Akkineni” from her social media profiles. The couple announced their split in October 2021, just before their fourth wedding anniversary. Their divorce was officially confirmed the following year, leaving many fans shocked.
In an interview with Galatta India, Samantha was asked about her decision to repurpose her wedding gown into a black dress. She began by discussing the impact of her divorce, saying,
“When a woman goes through a divorce, there’s a lot of shame and stigma attached to it, I received comments like ‘second-hand’ and ‘wasted life’. You’re pushed into a corner where you’re supposed to feel like you’re a failure. You’re supposed to feel guilt and shame that you were once married and now you’re not and I do believe it can be really, really hard for families and girls who have gone through that.”
Samantha further explained her choice to turn her white wedding gown into a striking black dress for a public event.
“The reason why I did that was because I wanted to, and initially, that hurt. It really hurt and then I decided to flip it and that I’ll own it. Yeah, I am separated and I am divorced. Things haven’t been a fairy tale but that does not mean that I sit in a corner cry about it and never ever have the courage to live again.”
she shared.
She emphasized that her decision wasn’t out of revenge but a statement of self-empowerment.
It wasn’t any kind of revenge or anything. It really wasn’t a ginormous f*ck. Although it looked like it but it wasn’t. It was like, ‘Yes, this has happened and I know it and I’m not trying to hide from it. This is it, but it doesn’t mean that my life ends there.’ It begins where it ends. I’m very very happy right now. I have grown so much and I’m doing incredible work and I’m with incredible people. I’m looking forward to the next phase of my life absolutely”
She concluded.
Watch the interview here:
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Samantha’s ex-husband, Naga Chaitanya, the son of superstar Nagarjuna, had met her on the sets of Ye Maaya Chesave in 2010. After several years of dating, they married in Goa in October 2017, both in Hindu and Christian ceremonies.
Following the divorce, Naga Chaitanya got engaged to actress Sobhita Dhulipala in August. The couple plans to marry on December 4 at Annapurna Studios. In a recent interview, Chaitanya expressed his excitement about starting a new chapter with Sobhita.
The social stigma faced by women after a divorce is often rooted in deep-seated gender biases and societal norms. Divorced women frequently face harsh judgment, social isolation, and a loss of status. They are often blamed for the marriage’s failure, regardless of the actual circumstances.
These stigmas highlight the need for greater societal awareness, acceptance, and support for women’s independence and well-being after a divorce.
