Samantha Ruth Prabhu Opens Up About the Challenge and Transformation Behind ‘Oo Antava’

Actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu recently reflected on her bold dance number “Oo Antava” from the 2021 blockbuster Pushpa: The Rise, calling it one of the most challenging yet transformative experiences of her career.

In an interview with Galatta Plus, the 38-year-old star candidly shared how stepping into such a sensuous and confident role pushed her far beyond her comfort zone, especially given her self-perception and the expectations people had of her.

“I never really saw myself as a glamorous or ‘hot’ woman,” Samantha admitted. “So when the opportunity for Oo Antava came, it felt like a personal challenge.

I wanted to see if I could embody that boldness. It wasn’t just a dance—it was about confidence, attitude, and owning my sexuality.”

Known for portraying bubbly, wholesome characters on screen, Samantha revealed that the decision to take on a sizzling item number came as a surprise to those around her.

The bold shift in her image received a mixed response from fans and even people close to her. But for Samantha, that was part of the appeal. “This role was something no one had ever offered me before. I felt drawn to its unapologetic sensuality.”

The timing of the shoot made it even more emotionally intense. It came shortly after her 2021 divorce from actor Naga Chaitanya—a difficult period in her life. “I was going through a lot personally, and this just added to the mental pressure.

I had sleepless nights leading up to the shoot. I didn’t know if I could pull it off,” she recalled. “The first shot was in front of 500 junior artists. I was shaking until they said ‘action.’”

Despite her initial doubts, Samantha’s performance in “Oo Antava”—composed by Devi Sri Prasad with lyrics by Chandrabose and vocals by Indravathi Chauhan—was a massive hit and became one of the film’s standout moments.

Her fiery presence and bold dance moves won over many viewers and added a new dimension to her acting repertoire.

However, the actress clarified that Oo Antava was a one-time experiment. “I wanted to prove something to myself, and I did.

But it was never meant to be a recurring part of my career.” For the sequel, Pushpa 2: The Rule, the dance number titled Kissik features actress Sreeleela instead.

Samantha is now turning her focus toward new and exciting ventures. She is currently preparing for the third season of the hit Prime Video series The Family Man, and will star in Netflix’s upcoming fantasy action series Rakt Bramhand – The Bloody Kingdom, directed by Raj and DK.

Additionally, she recently stepped into film production with her debut project Subham, which was released on May 9.

Through her bold choices and evolving career, Samantha continues to redefine herself, not just as an actress, but as a fearless artist unafraid to take risks.