Samantha Ruth Prabhu opens up about how split with ex-husband Naga Chaitanya affected her: 'Never thought I would rely on someone again'

Last year, on December 1, Samantha Ruth Prabhu took wedding vows with director Raj Nidimoru in an intimate ceremony at the Isha Yoga Centre. The actress surprised fans by sharing dreamy wedding pictures, marking a fresh chapter in her life. She tied the knot five years after her separation from Naga Chaitanya. Now, Samantha has candidly spoken about how that painful phase changed her and how she eventually found herself again.

Samantha shares how separation with Naga Chaitanya affected her

In a recent interaction with a media portal, Samantha opened up about the emotional toll her separation had on her. She admitted that after the split, she completely shut herself off. According to her, she had convinced herself that she would never again be able to depend on another person. The experience made her guard her heart tightly, unsure if she could ever allow someone that close again.



She told Vogue, "When I went through a separation, I closed up completely. I didn’t think it would ever be possible to rely on someone else. Thankfully, I was vulnerable enough to accept that kind of love and friendship."

However, time and healing brought a shift. Samantha shared that she slowly found the courage to open up and accept love in a new form. She said she is grateful that she allowed herself to be vulnerable. She credited Raj for playing a big role in that change, saying "I’m a much better person because of the relationship I’m in. Because of the person Raj (Nidimoru) is."

The actress also recalled a touching moment with an old friend. After meeting her recently, the friend sent her a voice note saying that for the first time in years, she did not seem like she was “struggling to breathe.” Samantha explained that earlier she often felt like she was performing or putting on a brave face, but now she feels more at peace and authentic.

More about Samantha's personal and work front

Samantha and Raj first met professionally when she worked on The Family Man Season 2 in 2021. Dating rumours began circulating in early 2025, especially after she reunited with the Raj & DK duo for Citadel: Honey Bunny. Though they kept their relationship private for a long time, their wedding announcement confirmed what fans had been speculating.


On the work front, Samantha continues to stay busy. She is currently preparing for her upcoming film Maa Inti Bangaram, directed by BV Nandini Reddy. The project is backed by her production house Tralala Moving Pictures and is slated to release on May 15 this year. Interestingly, Raj is also associated with the film as a producer and co-writer.