Samantha Ruth Prabhu felt nervous and discouraged doing 'Oo Antava' song; calls herself not a 'good-looking, hot woman'

Samantha Ruth Prabhu, known for her charming and girl-next-door roles, surprised fans in 2021 with her bold performance in the song Oo Antava from the blockbuster film Pushpa: The Rise. While the song became a massive hit and her transformation was widely appreciated, Samantha has now opened up about the emotional and psychological challenges she faced while shooting it.

In a detailed conversation with Galatta Plus, Samantha admitted that she had never considered herself a “good-looking, hot woman.” She revealed that the decision to take on Oo Antava wasn’t about making a public statement, but rather a deeply personal challenge. The actress explained that she wanted to see if she could convincingly portray a bold and sensual persona on screen—something she had never attempted before. According to her, the experience was about testing her own boundaries and proving something to herself.

Unexpected Offer During a Difficult Time

Samantha said she was genuinely surprised when she was offered Oo Antava, as no one had previously approached her for a performance that required such a bold on-screen presence. She had always portrayed characters that were bubbly, demure, or sweet—far removed from the fierce, confident image required for the song. She also mentioned that the performance wasn’t just about dancing; it was about embodying a confident woman who is entirely comfortable with her sexuality, traits she felt she did not naturally possess.

She shared that when the opportunity came her way, people around her, including close friends and advisors, discouraged her from accepting it. Despite the hesitation, she felt drawn to the lyrics and saw it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that had never come her way before. She was determined to challenge the image the industry had created for her and step out of her comfort zone.

Anxiety on Set and a Personal Breakthrough

Samantha vividly recalled how nervous she felt on the first day of shooting. Facing 500 junior artists during her first shot, she admitted to shaking with anxiety. However, despite her initial fears, she managed to deliver a performance that stood out in the film and won over both critics and audiences.

The timing of the offer coincided with her separation from actor Naga Chaitanya. Speaking to Miss Malini in an earlier interview, Samantha noted that her decision to go forward with the performance was also driven by her refusal to hide or feel ashamed. She stated that although her loved ones were against her appearing in an item number during such a vulnerable period, she believed she had nothing to feel guilty about. She emphasized that she gave her marriage her all, and although it didn’t work out, she wasn’t going to withdraw quietly or let public perception dictate her choices.

Turning Point In Samantha's Career

Oo Antava, composed by Devi Sri Prasad with lyrics by Chandrabose and sung by Indravathi Chauhan, went on to become one of the most talked-about songs in recent memory. Samantha’s portrayal added a new dimension to her career, showcasing her versatility and courage to break stereotypes.

While she has made it clear that this was a one-time experiment, the impact of her performance continues to resonate. In the sequel Pushpa 2: The Rule, the makers chose a different actress, Sreeleela, to take over the special song duties.

Professionally, Samantha is now working on multiple projects. She is gearing up for the release of The Family Man, directed by Raj & DK, set to premiere on Prime Video in November. The actress is also involved in Rakt Bramhand: The Bloody Kingdom, a fantasy action series for Netflix co-starring Ali Fazal. In addition, she is promoting her debut production Subham, directed by Praveen Kandregula.