Tags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit Advanced mobile edit |
|
| Line 1: |
Line 1: |
| {{Db|1=Duplicate page have name [[Samantha Ruth Prabhu]]}}
| | #REDIRECT [[Samantha Ruth Prabhu]] |
| {{short description|Indian actress|bot=PearBOT 5}}
| |
| | |
| {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2018}}
| |
| {{Infobox person
| |
| | name = Samantha Akkineni
| |
| | image = Samantha At The Irumbu Thirai Trailer Launch.jpg
| |
| | caption = Samantha at the [[Irumbu Thirai (2018 film)|Irumbu Thirai]] trailer launch in 2018
| |
| | birth_name = Samantha Ruth Prabhu
| |
| | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1987|4|28}}
| |
| | birth_place = [[Madras]], [[Tamil Nadu]], India<br>(present-day Chennai)
| |
| | alma_mater = [[Stella Maris College, Chennai]]
| |
| | occupation = Actress
| |
| | spouse = {{marriage|[[Naga Chaitanya]]|7 October 2017}}
| |
| | family = [[Daggubati–Akkineni family]]
| |
| | signature = Samantha Akkineni Signature.svg
| |
| | signature_alt = Samantha
| |
| | works = [[Samantha Akkineni filmography|Full list]]
| |
| | awards = [[List of awards and nominations received by Samantha Akkineni|Full list]]
| |
| }}
| |
| | |
| '''Samantha Akkineni''' ([[Maiden and married names|née]] '''Ruth Prabhu'''; born on 28 April 1987) is an Indian actress who has established a career in the [[Telugu Cinema|Telugu]] and [[Tamil Cinema|Tamil]] film industries. She is a recipient of several awards including four [[Filmfare Awards South|Filmfare Awards]], two [[Nandi Awards]], five [[South Indian International Movie Awards]], and three [[CineMAA Awards]].
| |
| | |
| While pursuing a degree in [[Bachelor of Commerce|commerce]], Akkineni worked part-time on modelling assignments. She soon received offers for film roles, and made her acting debut in [[Gautham Menon]]'s critically acclaimed [[Telugu language|Telugu]] romance film, ''[[Ye Maaya Chesave]]'' (2010), which fetched her the [[Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut – South|Filmfare Award for Best Debut Actress]] and a [[Nandi Award]]. Samantha then became the second actress ever to win both the [[Filmfare Award for Best Actress - Tamil|Filmfare Award for Best Tamil Actress]] and the [[Filmfare Award for Best Actress - Telugu|Filmfare Award for Best Telugu Actress]] in the same year, for her performances in the films ''[[Neethaane En Ponvasantham]]'' (2012) and ''[[Eega]]'' (2012). Since then, she has primarily opted to appear in the leading female role in hero-centric Telugu and Tamil films, earning box office success with films including ''[[Dookudu]]'' (2011), the family dramas ''[[Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu]]'' (2012) and ''[[Attarintiki Daredi]]'' (2013) and [[AR Murugadoss]]'s Tamil action film, ''[[Kaththi]]'' (2014). Her work in the film ''[[A Aa]]'' (2016) also won positive reviews and won Samantha her fourth [[Filmfare Awards South|Filmfare Award]], while her next films ''[[Theri (film)|Theri]]'' (2016), ''[[24 (2016 film)|24]]'' (2016), ''[[Mersal (film)|Mersal]]'' (2017), ''[[Rangasthalam]]'' (2018), and ''[[Mahanati]]'' (2018) also were commercially successful. She won further critical acclaim for her roles in 2019 releases, [[Super Deluxe (film)|''Super Deluxe'']], ''[[Majili]]'', ''[[Oh! Baby]]'' and for her only 2020 film, [[Jaanu (2020 film)|''Jaanu''.]]
| |
| | |
| Alongside her acting career, Akkineni is a prominent celebrity endorser for brands and products, while she also started her own NGO, Pratyusha Support, to provide medical support for women and children in 2012. She donates her earnings from endorsements, product launches and inauguration events to support the foundation.
| |
| | |
| ==Early life and family==
| |
| Samantha was born on 28 April 1987 to a [[Telugu people|Telugu]] father, Prabhu and a [[Malayali]] mother, Ninette from [[Alappuzha]], [[Kerala]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Chowdhary|first=Y. Sunita|title=Away from the rat race|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/away-from-the-rat-race/article3402317.ece |newspaper=The Hindu|date=12 May 2012 |access-date=11 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Shekhar H Hooli |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/samantha-celebrates-birthday-tollywood-celebs-wish-her-photos-630647 |title=Samantha Celebrates Birthday; Tollywood Celebs Wish Her |newspaper=[[International Business Times]] |date=28 April 2015 |access-date=14 November 2015}}</ref> She was brought up in [[Pallavaram]] in [[Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]],<ref name="Samantha raised in Pallavaram">{{cite news |title= Samantha raised in Pallavaram|url=http://www.firstpost.com/bollywood/meet-samantha-souths-hottest-heroine-1662705.html|publisher=Firstpost|access-date=14 August 2014}}</ref> as the youngest child of the family to Prabhu and Ninette and two elder brothers Jonathan and David, whilst becoming fluent in the [[Tamil language]].<ref name="tamilsam">{{cite web|author=Shankar, Settu|year=2008|title=Samantha Christens herself Yashodha!|work=OneIndia|url=http://entertainment.oneindia.in/tamil/exclusive/2008/samantha-name-yashoda-250808.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130220222548/http://entertainment.oneindia.in/tamil/exclusive/2008/samantha-name-yashoda-250808.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 February 2013|access-date=5 August 2008}}</ref> Despite her mixed regional background, she has cited herself as a [[Tamilian]].<ref name="tamilsam2">{{cite news|author=Y. Sunita Chowdury|date=1 March 2010|title=Poised on the edge|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|url=http://beta.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article124253.ece|access-date=1 March 2010}}</ref><ref name="tamilsam3">{{cite news|author=Prakash, B|title=It wasn't a liplock really: Samantha |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/news-interviews/It-wasnt-a-liplock-really-Samantha/articleshow/5651555.cms |date=7 March 2010 |access-date=7 March 2010}}</ref> As a part of her education, Samantha was schooled at [[Holy Angels Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School]] and then completed a degree in [[commerce]] at [[Stella Maris College, Chennai]].<ref name="tamilsam2"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/offbeat/south-star-samantha-found-her-old-report-cards-posted-them-on-facebook-1431845|title=South Star Samantha Found Her Old Report Cards, Posted Them on Facebook}}</ref> Towards the end of her undergraduate degree she became involved in modelling, notably working with Naidu Hall, through which she was first spotted by filmmaker [[Ravi Varman]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.supergoodmovies.com/3517/tollywood/interview-with-samantha-interviews-details |title=Interview with Samantha |publisher=Supergoodmovies.com |date=2 March 2010 |access-date=15 November 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117014524/http://www.supergoodmovies.com/3517/tollywood/interview-with-samantha-interviews-details |archive-date=17 November 2015 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
| |
| | |
| ==Career==
| |
| | |
| === Films ===
| |
| {{Main|Samantha Akkineni filmography}}
| |
| | |
| ====2010: Debut and breakthrough====
| |
| Samantha began her professional film career with [[Gautham Menon]]'s Telugu film, ''[[Ye Maaya Chesave]]'' (2010). The film, simultaneously made in [[Tamil language|Tamil]] as ''[[Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa]]'' (2010), created much anticipation prior to release, due primarily to the first-time-collaboration between Gautham Menon and composer [[A. R. Rahman]].<ref name="anti">{{cite web|author=Moviebuzz|year=2010|title=Audio released, confirms release on Feb 19! |publisher=[[Sify]] |url=http://sify.com/movies/telugu/fullstory.php?id=14930062&cid=2364 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141105174631/http://www.sify.com/movies/telugu/fullstory.php?id=14930062&cid=2364 |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 November 2014 |access-date=4 February 2010}}</ref> The actress successfully auditioned and was signed up for the project in mid August 2009 and worked on the film in India and the United States, while the film was released on 26 February 2010.<ref name="signup">{{cite news |title=Big break for Samantha |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-09-24/news-interviews/28079785_1_tamil-film-samantha|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811092658/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-09-24/news-interviews/28079785_1_tamil-film-samantha|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 August 2011|date=24 September 2009 |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=24 September 2009}}</ref> Post-release, she revealed that Menon played a "crucial part in moulding her as an actress", teaching her how to remain natural and comfortable in front of the screen, even if she had no dialogues in a scene.<ref name="hello">{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/say-hello-to-samantha/article6203915.ece |title=Say hello to Samantha |newspaper=The Hindu |date=12 July 2014 |access-date=15 November 2015}}</ref> In the film, Samantha played the lead character ''Jessie'', a [[Malayali]] [[Saint Thomas Christian]] girl living in [[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]], with whom the male protagonist, played by [[Naga Chaitanya]], falls in love. Upon release of the film, Samantha received very positive reviews for her portrayal, with the film itself garnering much critical acclaim.<ref name="sifyreview">{{cite web|author=Moviebuzz|year=2010|title=Ye Maaya Chesave|publisher=[[Sify]] |url=http://sify.com/movies/telugu/review.php?id=14933284&ctid=5&cid=2430 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100302143317/http://sify.com/movies/telugu/review.php?id=14933284&ctid=5&cid=2430 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 March 2010 |access-date=26 February 2010}}</ref> Critics at [[Sify]] praised Samantha as a "scene-stealer" and her beauty as "alluring", adding, "she was the girl to watch out for."<ref name="sifyreview"/> Jeevi from Idlebrain.com, wrote that "Samantha's debut is one of the best heroine debuts in Telugu cinema" and noted that the "minute expressions she gave spoke volumes about her", whilst labelling the film as a "classic". ''Ye Maaya Chesave'' fetched her the [[Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut – South|Filmfare Award for Best Debut Actress]] and a [[Nandi Award]].<ref>{{cite news |author=Y. Sunita Chowdhary|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/away-from-the-rat-race/article3402317.ece|title=Away from the rat race |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |date=10 May 2012|access-date=12 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news-interviews/Samantha-feels-One-film-changes-all/articleshow/25553340.cms|title=Samantha feels 'One' film changes all |newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=10 November 2013|access-date=12 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/140327/entertainment-kollywood/article/samantha-her-own-league |title=Samantha is in her own league |newspaper=[[Deccan Chronicle]] |date=27 March 2014 |access-date=12 July 2014}}</ref> Samantha appeared in a cameo role in the Tamil version of the film, portraying an assistant director who becomes an actress.<ref name="idlereview">{{cite web|author=Jeevi|year=2010|title=Ye Maya Chesave|publisher=Idlebrain |url=http://www.idlebrain.com/movie/archive/mr-yemayachesave.html |access-date=26 February 2010}}</ref> Both the Telugu and the Tamil versions of the films proved to be grand successes, propelling Samantha to sign on for bigger projects.<ref name="interviewrediff">{{cite web|author=Warrier, Shobha|year=2010|title=Meet Yeh Maya Chesave's Jessie|publisher=[[Rediff]] |url=http://movies.rediff.com/slide-show/2010/apr/30/slide-show-1-south-interview-with-samantha.htm#contentTop |access-date=30 April 2010}}</ref>
| |
| She followed up her collaborations with Gautham Menon and A. R. Rahman by appearing in the music video for the [[World Classical Tamil Conference 2010]] promotional song, ''[[Semmozhiyaana Tamizh Mozhiyaam]]'', which Menon directed and Rahman composed.
| |
| | |
| Samantha's next release was the romantic drama, ''[[Baana Kaathadi]]'' (2010), opposite [[Adharvaa Murali|Adharvaa]]. The film was actually the third Tamil project signed by the actress, but its release preceded the first two that she was contracted for due to delays in their completion.<ref name="samsban">{{cite web|year=2009|title='Baana Kaathadi' getting ready to fly|publisher=Indiaglitz |url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/47985.html |access-date=1 July 2009}}</ref><ref name="thehindu1">{{cite news|author=Ashok Kumar, S. R.|title=My First Break: Samantha|work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article582130.ece|date=19 August 2010 |access-date=22 August 2010}}</ref> Samantha portrayed a student of the [[National Institute of Fashion Technology]] (NIFT), the first such role in [[Tamil cinema]].<ref name="samstud">{{cite news|author=Raghavan, Nikhil|title=Another scorcher |url=http://www.hindu.com/cp/2009/03/27/stories/2009032750220900.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090330050255/http://www.hindu.com/cp/2009/03/27/stories/2009032750220900.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 March 2009|date=27 March 2009 |work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=27 March 2009}}</ref> Her next release was [[Ravi Varman]]'s ''[[Moscowin Kavery]]'' (2010), originally the first film she began work on. The shooting for the film began in August 2007, with Samantha, then briefly credited with the screen name Yasodha, joining the team later in the year.<ref name="ravivarm">{{cite web |year=2007 |title=Ravi Varman directs an Oscar Films production |publisher=Cinesouth |url=http://www.cinesouth.com/masala/hotnews/new/27082007-4.shtml |access-date=27 August 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070829154630/http://www.cinesouth.com/masala/hotnews/new/27082007-4.shtml |archive-date=29 August 2007 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> In an interview held in 2008, Ravi Varman mentioned that he had decided that Samantha would be the lead actress for his film within three minutes after viewing one of her commercial assignments.<ref name="ravivarman">{{cite web|year=2008|title=Ravi Varman Interview|publisher=Behindwoods |url=http://www.behindwoods.com/features/Interviews/interview-5/ravi-varman/index.html |access-date=28 June 2008}}</ref> He went on to describe her as an actress with "intelligence" and "potential", whilst drawing comparisons with the noted actress, [[Revathi]].<ref name="ravivarman"/> However, due to Ravi Varman's prior commitments as cinematographer in other projects, the film languished in [[development hell]], eventually releasing in August 2010.<ref name="aascardelayn">{{cite web|year=2009|title=Aascar's back-to-back releases|publisher=Behindwoods |url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/nov-09-02/leelai-moscowin-kaveri-14-11-09.html |access-date=14 November 2009}}</ref> The film earned poor reviews from critics, though Samantha's performance was credited as one of the sole highlights that the film offered.<ref name="mkreview1">{{cite web|author=Srinivasan, Pavithra|year=2010|title=Moscowin Kaveri is beautiful nonsense|publisher=[[Rediff]] |url=http://movies.rediff.com/review/2010/aug/27/south-tamil-review-moscowin-kaveri.htm |access-date=27 August 2010}}</ref> In August 2008, while still completing her last three projects, Samantha also signed up to play the lead role of a modern girl in the [[Narain (actor)|Narain]] starrer, ''Pookada Ravi'', which was later shelved.<ref name="pookadasignn">{{cite web|author=Moviebuzz|year=2008|title=Samantha is Narain's heroine!|publisher=[[Sify]] |url=http://sify.in/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=14744707&cid=14490563 |access-date=24 August 2008}}</ref><ref name="pookada">{{cite news|author=Prasad, G.|title=Image booster for Narain |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.hindu.com/2009/02/15/stories/2009021557590200.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090218135149/http://hindu.com/2009/02/15/stories/2009021557590200.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 February 2009|date=15 February 2009|location=Chennai, India |access-date=15 February 2009}}</ref> Samantha then went on to feature in [[Vamsi Paidipally]]'s Telugu film ''[[Brindavanam (2010 film)|Brindaavanam]]'' (2010) in which she had a supporting role alongside [[N. T. Rama Rao Jr.|NTR Jr]] and [[Kajal Aggarwal]]. Her performance as Indu was well received despite the role having a shorter screen time than the ones she had played in her previous films, and the film became her second successful venture in Telugu.<ref name="brindahit">{{cite news|year=2010 |title=NTR's Brindavanam creates waves at box-office |publisher=OneIndia.com |url=http://entertainment.oneindia.in/telugu/top-stories/2010/brindavanam-ntr-waves-box-office-161010.html |access-date=16 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101208193737/http://entertainment.oneindia.in/telugu/top-stories/2010/brindavanam-ntr-waves-box-office-161010.html |archive-date=8 December 2010 }}</ref>
| |
| | |
| ====2011–2012: Critical acclaim====
| |
| Samantha featured in the big budget Telugu film, ''[[Dookudu]]'' (2012) alongside [[Mahesh Babu]], which became one of the most successful Telugu films of all time.<ref>{{cite news |date=27 September 2011 |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/movies/2011/09/dookudu-daring-dashing-showtimes-reviews-prince-mahesh-samantha.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150103023535/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/movies/2011/09/dookudu-daring-dashing-showtimes-reviews-prince-mahesh-samantha.html |archive-date=3 January 2015 |title='Dookudu,' the biggest hit you've never heard of |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=14 November 2015}}</ref> The film won positive reviews, while a critic from ''[[The Times of India]]'' said "Samantha looks beautiful and has done a great job, though her role as Prashanthi isn't too lengthy."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/telugu/movie-reviews/Dookudu/movie-review/10093005.cms|title=Dookudu|work=The Times of India|access-date=24 September 2011}}</ref> She also subsequently made guest appearances in two of [[Gautham Menon]]'s films, first in the psychological thriller film, ''[[Nadunisi Naaygal]]'' (2011) as a mental asylum inmate and then repeated her role from ''[[Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa]]'' in the Hindi version of the film, ''[[Ekk Deewana Tha]]'' (2012). Her popularity in Telugu films meant that ''Nadunisi Naaygal'' was dubbed and released in Telugu as ''Eera Gulabeelu'', with Samantha featured prominently on the film's posters, despite only having a guest appearance.<ref name="poster">{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/poster-girl-of-success/article2580964.ece |title=Poster girl of success – Hyderabad |newspaper=The Hindu |date=30 October 2011 |access-date=15 November 2015}}</ref> During the period, Samantha had also been signed on two feature in two big budget projects in Tamil, [[Mani Ratnam]]'s ''[[Kadal (2013 film)|Kadal]]'' (2013) and [[S. Shankar|Shankar]]'s ''[[I (film)|I]]'' (2015) but was forced to opt out from both films, since she was suffering from a skin disease and could not work for two months during mid 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/samantha-out-of-shankar-film-news-tamil-mg2mQucgehisi.html |title=Samantha out of Shankar film? |publisher=Sify.com |date=28 June 2012 |access-date=12 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/samantha-denies-rumors-of-bollywood-debut/270711-71-175.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714124232/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/samantha-denies-rumors-of-bollywood-debut/270711-71-175.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 July 2014 |title=Samantha denies rumors of Bollywood debut |publisher=Ibnlive.in.com |access-date=12 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/away-from-the-rat-race/article3402317.ece |title=Away from the rat race – Hyderabad |newspaper=The Hindu |date=10 May 2012 |access-date=15 November 2015}}</ref>
| |
| Samantha next featured in [[S. S. Rajamouli]]'s live action Telugu-Tamil bilingual project ''[[Eega]]'' (2012), portraying a micro artist who runs a NGO and takes revenge for the murder of her lover.<ref name="sammbb">{{cite news|author=Pillai, Sreedhar|title=Samantha's walk in the clouds|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-04-16/news-interviews/28122316_1_baana-kaathadi-film-tamil|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811092713/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-04-16/news-interviews/28122316_1_baana-kaathadi-film-tamil|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 August 2011|date=16 April 2010 |work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=16 April 2010}}</ref> As the film featured a CGI-created housefly as the main character, Samantha noted that she had to use her imagination and act accordingly. She also revealed that many heavy lights were used for the shoot of the film and she subsequently suffered skin burns, calling the process "very stressful" but "satisfying".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.idlebrain.com/celeb/interview/samantha.html |title=Samantha interview – Telugu film actress |publisher=Idlebrain.com |date=13 December 2012 |access-date=14 November 2015}}</ref> Titled ''[[Eega|Naan Ee]]'' (2012) in Tamil, the film opened to highly positive reviews and Samantha also won acclaim for her performance. A critic from ''[[The Hindu]]'' noted "Samantha blooms in the role given to her," while Jeevi of Idlebrain.com wrote her "run of success continues as she did extremely well as a bereaved lover".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://idlebrain.com/movie/archive/mr-eega.html |title=Eega/Naan Ee/Eecha review – Telugu cinema – Nani, Sudeep, Samantha & Rajamouli |publisher=Idlebrain.com |date=6 July 2012 |access-date=14 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/eega-dont-miss-this-buzz/article3609904.ece |title=Eega: Don't miss this buzz |newspaper=The Hindu |date=7 July 2012 |access-date=14 November 2015}}</ref> Sify.com also praised her performance in the film, citing her "subtle expressions of love, fear and anxiety work well for the film" and that she "looks beautiful and has done her role with consummate ease".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/naan-ee-review-tamil-pcma06fhegijf.html |title=Review : Naan Ee |publisher=Sify.com |access-date=14 November 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406021843/http://www.sify.com/movies/naan-ee-review-tamil-pcma06fhegijf.html |archive-date=6 April 2016 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/eega-exceptionally-innovative-technically-brilliant-telugu-movie-review-news-national-mhhr4hegddjsi.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119062620/http://www.sify.com/movies/eega-exceptionally-innovative-technically-brilliant-telugu-movie-review-news-national-mhhr4hegddjsi.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 November 2015 |title='Eega' exceptionally innovative, technically brilliant (Telugu Movie) |publisher=Sify.com |date=7 July 2012 |access-date=14 November 2015}}</ref> The film went on to become a large commercial success, grossing more than {{INR}} 1.25 billion, and went on to be dubbed in several foreign and Indian languages.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-09-13/news/33817001_1_pvp-ventures-deccan-chargers-financial-chronicle |title=DCHL bankruptcy threat: PVP Ventures in fray to buy IPL team Deccan Chargers |work=The Economic Times |date=13 September 2012 |access-date=12 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news-interviews/Eega-to-be-dubbed-into-Thai/articleshow/17511509.cms |title=Eega to be dubbed into Thai |work=The Times of India |date=6 December 2012 |access-date=12 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/makkhi-to-get-japanese-makeover-director-rajamouli/300573-71.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715231951/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/makkhi-to-get-japanese-makeover-director-rajamouli/300573-71.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 July 2014 |title='Makkhi' to get Japanese makeover: director Rajamouli |publisher=Ibnlive.in.com |access-date=12 July 2014}}</ref>
| |
| | |
| Samantha then worked on [[Gautham Menon]]'s trilingual romantic drama film, and played the leading female role of Nithya in the Tamil, Telugu and Hindi versions of the film, shooting scenes simultaneously back-to-back with three different actors. The Tamil version, ''[[Neethane En Ponvasantham]]'' (2012) featured her alongside [[Jiiva]], while ''[[Yeto Vellipoyindhi Manasu]]'' (2012) paired her opposite [[Nani (actor)|Nani]]. A further Hindi version titled ''[[Assi Nabbe Poorey Sau]]'' with [[Aditya Roy Kapoor]] was simultaneously shot with the other two films and was "sixty percent" completed, before Menon shelved the venture after his other Hindi film, ''Ekk Deewana Tha'', had failed at the box office.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-south-interview-with-gautham-menon/20121213.htm |title=Gautham Menon: I love making love stories |work=Rediff.com |date=13 December 2012 |access-date=14 November 2015}}</ref> The film spanned three periods in the life of a couple, focusing on their romantic relationship at school, college and in their late twenties. Samantha revealed that she knew Gautham would want to work with her again and immediately accepted the opportunity to portray the roles when she was offered the film. She felt that she "could relate to the attributes and the circumstances the character goes through" and described Nithya's character as "close to her".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-south-interview-with-samantha/20121214.htm#4 |title=Neethane Enn Ponvasantham means a lot to me |work=Rediff.com |date=14 December 2012 |access-date=14 November 2015}}</ref> To make her performance as authentic as possible, Samantha chose to dub for herself in the Tamil version of the film. The Tamil and Telugu versions of the film opened in December 2012, earning differing reactions. ''Neethane En Ponvasantham'' earned mixed reviews and performed averagely at the box office, though Samantha received highly positive acclaim for her portrayal. The critic from ''[[The Hindu]]'' noted she "comes up with possibly the best performance by a female lead in Tamil cinema this year" and "her transformation from a gawky teenager to an adult, unable to overcome her ego, is outstanding".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/neethaane-en-ponvasantham-an-ode-to-ilaiyaraaja/article4203416.ece |title=Neethaane En Ponvasantham: An ode to Ilaiyaraaja |newspaper=The Hindu |date=15 December 2012 |access-date=14 November 2015}}</ref> Meanwhile, IBN stated "Samantha's transformation from a school kid to an adult is a treat to watch," while Rediff.com noted she is "pretty, graceful, and does an excellent job of conveying the emotions of a girl in love, especially during the school sequence, while concluding she carries the film on her slender shoulders."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/south-review-needhane-en-ponvasantham-is-disappointing/20121214.htm |title=Review: Needhane En Ponvasantham is disappointing |work=Rediff.com |date=14 December 2012 |access-date=14 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/india/neethaane-en-ponvasantham-review-boring-love-story-526731.html |title='Neethaane En Ponvasantham' Review: Boring love story |publisher=IBNLive |date=15 December 2012 |access-date=14 November 2015}}</ref> The Telugu version, ''Yeto Vellipoyindhi Manasu'', won positive reviews and did well commercially, while Samantha's performance was equally well appreciated. ''[[The Hindu]]'' wrote she "goes a step further from her famous portrayal of Jessy (''Ye Maaya Chesaave'') and brings out the intricacy of her character well", while the ''[[Times of India]]'' wrote "Samantha has the author backed role and she creams it."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-reviews/Yeto-Vellipoyindi-Manasu/movie-review/17612525.cms |title=Yeto Vellipoyindi Manasu Movie Review, Trailer, & Show timings at Times of India |newspaper=The Times of India |date=14 December 2012 |access-date=14 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/yeto-vellipoyindhi-manasu-like-a-gentle-breeze/article4199688.ece |title=Yeto Vellipoyindhi Manasu: Like a gentle breeze |newspaper=The Hindu |date=14 December 2012 |access-date=14 November 2015}}</ref> At the [[Filmfare Awards South|Filmfare Awards]] ceremony celebrating South Indian films of 2012, the actress subsequently won the Best Actress awards for both the [[Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil|Tamil]] and [[Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu|Telugu]] film industries for her performances in ''Neethane En Ponvasantham'' and ''Eega''. Samantha became the second-ever actress to achieve the feat after [[Revathi]] had secured both awards in 1992.<ref>{{cite news |author=The author has posted comments on this article |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/Samantha-exclusive-interview/articleshow/21426111.cms |title=Samantha exclusive interview |newspaper=The Times of India |date=28 July 2013 |access-date=14 November 2015}}</ref> 2012 became her most prolific award-winning year and she secured further recognition for Best Actress at the [[Vijay Award for Best Actress|Vijay Awards]], [[Santosham Best Actress Award|Santosham Film Awards]] and the [[CineMAA Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.idlebrain.com/news/functions1/santoshamawrds2013.html |title=Santosham 11th anniversary awards 2013 presentation – Telugu cinema news |publisher=Idlebrain.com |date=31 August 2013 |access-date=14 November 2015}}</ref>
| |
| | |
| ====2013–2015: Roles in big-budget films====
| |
| Although Samantha often portrayed strong character roles in her early films, post-2012, she has appeared increasingly in big-budget, hero-oriented films, which have comparatively smaller scope for actresses.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/kaththi-review-tamil-pcmbz6hbbiced.html |title=Review : Kaththi |publisher=Sify.com |access-date=14 November 2015}}</ref> Samantha next appeared in the Telugu multi-starrer film, ''[[Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu]]'' (2013) alongside [[Venkatesh (actor)|Venkatesh]] and [[Mahesh Babu]], which won positive reviews and was commercially successful. Though her role was comparatively minuscule to her co-stars, ''IBN Live'' noted it was "good to see Samantha shed her glamorous side and welcome performance-oriented roles, which she only handles with deftness and ease".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/seethamma-vakitlo-sirimalle-chettu-review-this-telugu-film-will-make-you-smile/315496-71-218.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130114220351/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/seethamma-vakitlo-sirimalle-chettu-review-this-telugu-film-will-make-you-smile/315496-71-218.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 January 2013|title='Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu' Review: This Telugu film will make you smile|publisher=IBN Live|access-date=13 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-reviews/Seethamma-Vakitlo-Sirimalle-Chettu/movie-review/17981939.cms |title=Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu Movie Review, Trailer, & Show timings at Times of India |newspaper=The Times of India |date=11 January 2013 |access-date=14 November 2015}}</ref> The romantic comedy ''[[Jabardasth (film)|Jabardasth]]'' (2013), in which she portrayed a wedding planner, became a commercial failure, though critics noted Samantha is "getting better by the day and it's a delight to watch her on screen".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-reviews/film-review-jabardasth-an-inspired-fun-ride/article4442821.ece |title=Film review: Jabardasth – An inspired fun ride |newspaper=The Hindu |date=22 February 2013 |access-date=14 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/south-review-jabardasth-is-inspired-by-band-baaja-baraat/20130222.htm |title=Review: Jabardasth is inspired by Band Baaja Baraat |work=Rediff.com |date=22 February 2013 |access-date=14 November 2015}}</ref> Samantha then starred alongside [[Pawan Kalyan]] in the family drama, ''[[Attarintiki Daredi]]'' (2013), which emerged as the highest-grossing Telugu film upon release. A critic from Rediff.com noted Samantha "exudes confidence even though she has limited screen time and nothing much to do", and her performance saw her win Best Actress recognition at the [[3rd South Indian International Movie Awards|SIIMA Awards]] and the [[Santosham Film Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/south-review-attarintiki-daaredi-is-pawan-kalyans-show/20130927.htm |title=Review: Attarintiki Daaredi is Pawan Kalyan's show! |work=Rediff.com |date=27 September 2013 |access-date=14 November 2015}}</ref> Her final release of 2013 was in the unsuccessful Telugu masala film ''[[Ramayya Vasthavayya]]'', where she had a small role, with a critic noting "we have seen Samantha in better roles and better films."<ref>{{cite news |author=Sangeetha Devi Dundoo |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-reviews/ramayya-vasthavayya-hinged-on-heroism/article5225181.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014040425/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-reviews/ramayya-vasthavayya-hinged-on-heroism/article5225181.ece |archive-date=14 October 2013 |title=Ramayya Vasthavayya: Hinged on heroism |newspaper=The Hindu |date=11 October 2013 |access-date=15 November 2015}}</ref>
| |
| | |
| The year of 2014 saw Samantha appear in six films and make a return to the Tamil film industry. Her first release saw Samantha portray a dual role in the family drama film ''[[Manam (film)|Manam]]'' (2014), where she featured alongside several members of the [[ANR-Ramanaidu Family|Akkineni film family]]. Featuring as a young mother and a college student in two different time eras, Samantha received positive reviews for her work, with the critic from Sify saying "she excels" and ''[[The Hindu]]''{{'}}s reviewer noting that she "emotes well and easily shifts between the roles".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/manam-review-review-telugu-pcmbqVghcjffd.html |title=Review : Manam review |publisher=Sify.com |access-date=15 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-reviews/manam-smiles-all-around/article6040767.ece |title=Manam: Smiles all around |newspaper=The Hindu |date=23 May 2014 |access-date=15 November 2015}}</ref> Her performance fetched Samantha a nomination for Best Actress from the Filmfare Awards, while she won Critics' Best Actress at the [[4th South Indian International Movie Awards|SIIMA Awards]]. Samantha subsequently featured alongside Naga Chaitanya again in the long-delayed ''[[Autonagar Surya]]'' (2014), before playing further minuscule roles in the Telugu action masala films ''[[Alludu Seenu]]'' (2014) and ''[[Rabhasa]]'' (2014). Critics lamented that she "signed to be a glam doll" for the ventures and has "previously shown us she is capable of doing much more, but of late, seems to be stuck with doing similar roles that require her to be an attractive prop".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-reviews/alludu-seenu-outlandish-launch-pad/article6249134.ece |title=Alludu Seenu: Outlandish launchpad |newspaper=The Hindu |date=25 July 2014 |access-date=15 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-reviews/rabhasa-review-been-there-seen-that/article6365120.ece |title=Rabhasa review: Been there, seen that |newspaper=The Hindu |date=31 August 2014 |access-date=15 November 2015}}</ref> Samantha later revealed that she solely worked on ''Alludu Seenu'' as a favor to producer [[Bellamkonda Suresh]], who had helped her delay the making of ''Jabardasth'' during her health problems.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/a-candid-interview-with-samantha-imagegallery-tollywood-ohbnVedehjcde.html|title=A candid interview with Samantha|work=Sify}}</ref>
| |
| | |
| Samantha worked simultaneously on two big budget Tamil films during early 2014, working with industry-leading actors and directors.<ref name="hello"/> [[N. Linguswamy|Linguswamy]]'s gangster masala film ''[[Anjaan (2014 film)|Anjaan]]'' (2014) opposite [[Suriya]], received negative reviews and performed poorly at the box office. Portraying a small role, critics panned her character in the film, stating Samantha "gamely performs the requisite crazy girl duties".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/anjaan-review/article6324278.ece |title=Anjaan review: Don yawn |newspaper=The Hindu |date=16 August 2014 |access-date=15 November 2015}}</ref> Her other release, [[AR Murugadoss]]'s action drama ''[[Kaththi]]'' (2014) opposite [[Vijay (actor)|Vijay]] won predominantly positive reviews and became the most profitable Tamil film of 2014.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/vijays-kaththi-biggest-tamil-hit-2014-box-office-613580 |title='Kaththi' Box Office: Vijay Starrer Becomes Biggest Tamil Hit of 2014 |work=International Business Times |date=11 November 2014 |access-date=15 November 2015}}</ref> Again, reviewers criticised her character stating "all she had to do in the film is smile and look pretty," while ''[[The Hindu]]'' remarked she played "an emoticon" and "that covers her contribution to the proceedings".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-reviews/kaththi-review-beneath-the-flab-some-solidmasalamoments/article6527130.ece |title=Kaththi review: Beneath the flab, some solid masala moments |newspaper=The Hindu |date=22 October 2014 |access-date=15 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/review-kaththi-entertains-with-a-message/20141022.htm |title=Review: Kaththi entertains with a message |work=Rediff.com |date=22 October 2014 |access-date=15 November 2015}}</ref> She subsequently featured in the Telugu film ''[[S/O Satyamurthy]]'' with [[Allu Arjun]], as a part of another hero-orientated film, though critics noted she "enacts her part with grace" and that she "plays her role well".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-reviews/S/O-Satyamurthy/movie-review/46867320.cms |title=S/O Satyamurthy Movie Review, Trailer, & Show timings at Times of India |newspaper=The Times of India |date=9 April 2015 |access-date=15 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/so-satyamurthy-review/article7089242.ece |title=S/O Satyamurthy: To keep up a father's honour |newspaper=The Hindu |date=10 April 2015 |access-date=15 November 2015}}</ref>
| |
|
| |
| She then featured in her second dual role as a part of [[Vijay Milton]]'s road film, ''[[10 Endrathukulla]]'' (2015), where she appeared alongside [[Vikram (actor)|Vikram]]. Like ''Anjaan'' and ''Kaththi'', critics lamented her role as a clumsy girl, with Sify.com stating "beyond a point Samantha's character is plainly annoying".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/10-enradhukulla-review--pkvqS2bcfcaid.html |title=Review : 10 Enradhukulla |publisher=Sify.com |access-date=15 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-reviews/10-enradhukulla-a-slipshod-road-movie/article7790285.ece |title=10 Enradhukulla: A slipshod road movie |newspaper=The Hindu |date=21 October 2015 |access-date=15 November 2015}}</ref> She sported a different rural look for a particular role and her performance won mixed reviews, with a critic noting "Samantha doesn't make much of an impact in the film except towards the end."<ref>{{cite news |author=Latha Srinivasan |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/review-10-endrathukulla-film-review-strictly-for-vikram-fans-2137163 |title='10 Endrathukulla' film review: Strictly for Vikram fans! |newspaper=Daily News and Analysis |date=21 October 2015 |access-date=15 November 2015}}</ref> Samantha subsequently won positive reviews for her role and performance in [[Velraj]]'s ''[[Thanga Magan (2015 film)|Thanga Magan]]'', where she featured opposite [[Dhanush]]. Portraying a homely role of a wife for the first time in Tamil films, the actress noted it would be the first of many such performance-orientated roles, as she looked to move away from being typecast in glamorous characters. A critic from Sify.com labelled her performance as "impressive", while DNA.com stated Samantha "has given a very subdued and mature performance sans drama".<ref>{{cite web|author=Latha Srinivasan |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/review-thanga-magan-review-the-fine-performances-by-dhanush-samantha-and-amy-jackson-make-it-a-must-watch-2157344 |title='Thanga Magan' review: The fine performances by Dhanush, Samantha and Amy Jackson make it a must-watch | Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis |publisher=Dnaindia.com |date=18 December 2015 |access-date=23 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/thangamagan-review--pmsncnbbfbidj.html |title=Review : Thangamagan |publisher=Sify.com |access-date=23 December 2015}}</ref> Likewise, a reviewer from Silverscreen, suggested that she "delivers a performance that stands head and shoulders above her work in previous films".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://silverscreen.in/tamil/reviews/thanga-magan-review-a-little-of-everything/ |title=Thanga Magan Review: A Little Of Everything |date=19 December 2015 |publisher=Silverscreen.in |access-date=23 December 2015}}</ref>
| |
| | |
| ====2016–2018: Commercial success====
| |
| [[File:Samantha Akkineni.png|thumb|Samantha Akkineni in a 2018 interview]]
| |
| Samantha's first release of 2016 was in the Tamil romantic drama film ''[[Bangalore Naatkal]]'', where she made a guest appearance and reprised [[Nithya Menen]]'s small role from the film's [[Bangalore Days|Malayalam original]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Samantha-to-play-Nithyas-role-in-Bangalore-Days-remake/articleshow/48266812.cms | title=Samantha to play Nithya's role in Bangalore Days remake |publisher=[[Times of India]] | access-date= 30 July 2015}}</ref> She then portrayed the lead female role in [[Atlee (director)|Atlee]]'s ''[[Theri (film)|Theri]]'', and featured alongside [[Vijay (actor)|Vijay]] for the second time in her career. Her performance received positive reviews, with a critic from DNA India stating "Samantha looks pretty as always" and that "she has done an incredible job in dubbing with a range of emotions in her numerous shades – doctor, lover, mother – and she shines".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/review-theri-review-only-vijay-fans-might-find-this-film-theri-fic-2202064 | title='Theri' review: Vijay fans might find this film 'Theri'-fic | date=14 April 2016 | access-date= 14 April 2016 |publisher=Dna India}}</ref> Likewise, Behindwoods.com stated that ''Theri'' "could be one of Samantha's best roles; she plays a doctor and has given out a soulful performance".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/theri/theri-review.html|title=Theri (aka) Therii review|date=14 April 2016}}</ref> The film went on to become of the most profitable Tamil films of all time, upon release, and ended a barren spell for the actress in Tamil cinema, by becoming her first commercially successful film in Tamil cinema since ''Kaththi'' (2014).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/samantha-is-smiling-and-why-news-tamil-qetkvBbfddead.html|title=Samantha is smiling and why?}}</ref> Samantha then worked for a second time with director [[Vikram Kumar]] and [[Suriya]] in the critically acclaimed, fantasy film ''[[24 (2016 film)|24]]''. Featuring as the love interest of the film's lead character, Samantha won praise from critics for her small role in the film, with Sify.com stating that the actress "does well in the comedy scenes".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/24-review-a-well-executed-intelligent-movie-review-tamil-qfgkr7cdeiejb.html|title=24 review: A well-executed intelligent movie}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-reviews/24-review-an-intelligent-joyous-mix-of-scifi-and-masalamyth/article8566328.ece|title=24: An intelligent, joyous mix of sci-fi and masala-myth|date=6 May 2016|newspaper=The Hindu|last1=Rangan|first1=Baradwaj}}</ref> The film also performed well at the box office, with [[The Hindu]] stating she was "at the top of the film industry", following her back-to-back commercial successes.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/%E2%80%98When-you%E2%80%99re-at-the-top-you%E2%80%99re-just-waiting-to-be-replaced%E2%80%99/article14245987.ece|title='When you're at the top, you're just waiting to be replaced'|first=Srinivasa|last=Ramanujam|newspaper=The Hindu|date=19 April 2016|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/interviews/I-cried-uncontrollably-due-to-exhaustion/2016/05/10/article3425792.ece|title=I cried uncontrollably due to exhaustion}}</ref>
| |
| | |
| Samantha also featured in three high-profile Telugu films during 2016; while [[Srikanth Addala]]'s family drama ''[[Brahmotsavam (film)|Brahmotsavam]]'' opposite [[Mahesh Babu]] was a box office failure, her role in [[Trivikram Srinivas]]'s romantic comedy, ''[[A Aa]]'' alongside [[Nithiin]], won her critical and commercial acclaim. Portraying Anasuya Ramalingam, a naive girl trying to escape from the controlling behaviour of her mother, Samantha received positive reviews for her portrayal of the character. A critic from [[The New Indian Express]] noted "''A Aa'' undoubtedly is Samantha's film" and that "right from her first frame till the last, she delivers a stellar performance and shows what she can do if given ample screen time", adding that she was "a joy to watch".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/telugu/A..Aa-Review-Please-welcome-Samantha-the-actress/2016/06/02/article3462836.ece1|title=A..Aa Review: Please welcome Samantha the actress}}</ref> Likewise, a reviewer from The Hindu noted "Samantha, after a long time, gets enough screen time and scope to shine", stating "she's vulnerable as a 23-year-old reeling in her mother's shadow and can also play the high maintenance, stubborn girl with ease", while concluding "this is a role she can be proud of".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/aaa-simple-tale-effectively-told/article8681944.ece|title=A…Aa: Simple tale, effectively told|date=2 June 2016|newspaper=The Hindu|last1=Dundoo|first1=Sangeetha Devi}}</ref> Similarly Bollywoodlife.com noted her "earnest performance was the life and soul of the romantic comedy", while DNA India's critic cited that "Samantha and Nithiin's performances in this movie will be what people would rave about for days to come".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/review-aaa-review-you-ll-fall-in-love-with-nithiin-reddy-samantha-ruth-prabhu-in-this-rom-com-2219152|title='A...Aa' review: You'll fall in love with Nithiin Reddy, Samantha Ruth Prabhu in this rom-com - Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis|date=2 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bollywoodlife.com/news-gossip/a-aa-quick-movie-review-samanthas-earnest-performance-is-the-life-and-soul-of-this-romantic-comedy-2/|title=A Aa quick movie review: Samantha's earnest performance is the life and soul of this romantic comedy!|date=3 June 2016}}</ref> The film also performed well at the box office, doing exceptionally good business for a Telugu film released in the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telugucinema.com/news/Aa-Joins-million-dollars-club|title=A Aa: Joins the million-dollars club|last=jalapathy|date=5 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gulte.com/movienews/49659/Samantha-The-Undisputed-Million-Dollar-Baby|title=Samantha, The Undisputed Million Dollar Baby|date=5 June 2016}}</ref> Her performance subsequently fetched her the [[Filmfare Award for Best Actress - Telugu|Best Telugu Actress Award]] at the [[64th Filmfare Awards South|Filmfare Awards]], her fourth such recognition. She then featured in the commercially successful action film ''[[Janatha Garage]]'' directed by [[Koratala Siva]], with a critic noting despite "a limited role, she gives a nice performance".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.idlebrain.com/movie/archive/janathagarage.html|title=Janatha Garage review by jeevi - Telugu cinema review - NTR, Mohanlall, Samantha & Nithya Menen|website=www.idlebrain.com}}</ref><ref name="Samantha, Nithya team up with NTR in 'Janatha Garage'">{{cite news | url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/samantha-nithya-team-up-with-ntr-in-janatha-garage-116021600395_1.html | title=Samantha, Nithya team up with NTR in 'Janatha Garage' | newspaper=Business Standard India | date=16 February 2016 | access-date= 16 February 2016 |publisher=Business Standard News}}</ref> She then portrayed the lead female role in [[Atlee (director)|Atlee]]'s ''[[Mersal (film)|Mersal]]'', and featured alongside [[Vijay (actor)|Vijay]] for the third time in her career and her performance received positive reviews and the movie became [[List of Tamil films of 2017|one of the highest grossing Tamil films of 2017]] and was a blockbuster. ''Mersal'' went on to join the [[100 Crore Club|{{INR}}200 crore club]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businesstoday.in/trending/box-office/mersal-box-office-collection-vijay-rs-210-crore-worldwide/story/262920.html|title=Mersal Box Office Collection: Vijay's movie makes Rs 210 crore worldwide|website=[[Business Today (India)|Business Today]]}}</ref>
| |
| | |
| In 2018, she had a successful venture with ''[[Rangasthalam]]'' which went on to be the all-time Telugu Blockbuster only behind [[Baahubali 2: The Conclusion]] and [[Baahubali: The Beginning]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Tollywood/2018-06-10/Rangasthalam-Final-Worldwide-Box-Office-Collections-Report-/387957|title=Rangasthalam final box office collection|website=www.thehansindia.com|date=10 June 2018}}</ref> The Tamil film ''[[Irumbu Thirai (2018 film)|Irumbu Thirai]]'' in which she starred opposite [[Vishal (actor)|Vishal]] and the Telugu film ''[[Mahanati]]'' were successful at the box-office and each had a run of 100 days at the box office. Her performances in Rangasthalam and Mahanati were highly praised. Mridula R from ''[[The News Minute]]'' noted her critically acclaimed film [[U Turn (2018 film)|''U Turn'']] as a curiosity generating script that provides her the ultimate screen presence since the story begins with her and she finds it ends, rather that not being shaking a leg in ''[[Anjaan (2014 film)|Anjaan]], [[Brindavanam (2010 film)|Brindavanam]], [[Kaththi]], [[Attarintiki Daredi]]'' or being glam doll or having out of scope performances overshadowed in ''[[Dookudu]], [[S/O Satyamurthy]], [[Brahmotsavam (film)|Brahmotsavam]], [[Theri (film)|Theri]]'' and ''[[Mersal (film)|Mersal]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/nayanthara-and-anushka-samantha-proves-shes-ready-lead-films-u-turn-88533|first=Mridula|last=R|title=Like Nayanthara and Anushka, Samantha proves she's ready to lead films with 'U Turn'|website=[[The News Minute]]|date=18 September 2018|access-date=30 April 2020}}</ref>
| |
| | |
| ==== 2019–present: Experimental roles and upcoming films ====
| |
| After acting in her first women-centric film [[U Turn (2018 film)|''U Turn'']], she is next starred in another women-centric film ''[[Oh! Baby]]'' released on 5 July 2019. The film is the remake of the 2014 [[Cinema of South Korea|South Korean]] film ''[[Miss Granny]]''. Her performance in the film received wide spread acclaim. It collected a gross collection of ₹40 [[crore]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-12-31|title=2019లో భారీ వసూళ్లు రాబట్టిన సినిమాలివే..|url=https://www.sakshi.com/news/family/roundup-2019-special-story-tollywood-movies-1252065|access-date=2021-05-19|website=Sakshi|language=te}}</ref> A critic cited her performance as the career best.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-07-05|title=Oh! Baby movie review : Samantha delivers a career-best performance in Nandini Reddy's heart-warming drama-Entertainment News , Firstpost|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/oh-baby-movie-review-samantha-delivers-a-career-best-performance-in-nandini-reddys-heart-warming-drama-6940521.html|access-date=2021-05-19|website=Firstpost}}</ref> Manoj Kumar R of ''[[The Indian Express]]'' felt that Samantha's thrives in the role that reflects the possibilities of youth, the burden of old age, and the society's indifference to the desires and complaints of old people."<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-07-05|title=Oh Baby movie review: Samantha Akkineni thrives in this fantasy comedy|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/oh-baby-movie-review-rating-samantha-akkineni-5816997/|access-date=2021-05-19|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref> She is next seen in another successful film ''[[Majili]]''.This marks Chaitanya and Samantha's fourth collaboration after ''[[Ye Maaya Chesave]]'', ''[[Manam (film)|Manam]]'', and ''[[Autonagar Surya]]'' and their first collaboration after their marriage.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Naga Chaitanya and Samantha turn into a troubled couple for 'Majili' - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/naga-chaitanya-and-samantha-turn-into-a-troubled-couple-for-majili/articleshow/66472479.cms|access-date=2021-05-19|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> Her character was quoted as one of the strong ones of 2019 films.<ref>{{Cite web|title=10 Strong Female Centric Films of Year 2019 l Auro Media House|url=https://auromediahouse.com/2019/12/31/female-centric-films-2019/|access-date=2021-05-19|language=en-US}}</ref> She received awards for her performance in the two films.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Critics' Choice Film Awards 2020: Samantha Akkineni, Vijay Sethupathi, Super Deluxe win BIG; Winners list out|url=https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/south/critics-choice-film-awards-2020-samantha-akkineni-vijay-sethupathi-super-deluxe-win-big-winners-list-out|url-status=live|access-date=2021-05-19|website=[[PINKVILLA]]|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-01-12|title=Zee Cine awards Telugu 2020: Samantha Akkineni, Chiranjeevi and Nani win top laurels|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/zee-cine-awards-telugu-2020-samantha-akkineni-chiranjeevi-and-nani-win-top-laurels/story-IIb1IjGUKhrdscXkxVOI2I.html|access-date=2021-05-19|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref> Samatha next played the character Janaki Devi in the 2020 film [[Jaanu (2020 film)|''Jaanu'']], which is a remake of 2018 Tamil film [['96 (film)|''<nowiki/>'96'']]. The film received decent reviews with her performance too receiving good response. Samantha has a signed a mythological film in 2020 titled ''[[Shaakuntalam]]'',<ref>{{Cite news|others=Special Correspondent|date=2021-01-02|title=Samantha to headline Gunasekhar's 'Shakuntalam'|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/samantha-in-director-gunasekhars-mythological-film-shakuntalam/article33479131.ece|access-date=2021-05-19|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> directed by [[Gunasekhar]]. She will be seen as [[Shakuntala]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=TelanganaToday|title=Samantha's Shakuntalam goes on floors|url=https://telanganatoday.com/samanthas-shakuntalam-goes-on-floors|access-date=2021-05-19|website=Telangana Today|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Shakuntalam: Samantha Akkineni to play the lead role in Gunasekar's upcoming mythological drama|url=https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/south/shakuntalam-samantha-akkineni-play-lead-role-gunasekar-s-upcoming-mythological-drama-589052|access-date=2021-05-19|website=PINKVILLA|language=en}}</ref>
| |
| | |
| === Television ===
| |
| Samantha made her television debut in 2020 by hosting an episode [[Telugu language|Telugu]]-language reality television series [[Bigg Boss (Telugu season 4)|''Bigg Boss 4'']] as part of a special episode.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bigg Boss Telugu 4: Samantha Akkineni steps in for Nagarjuna as host for Dussehra special; Watch first promo|url=https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/south/bigg-boss-telugu-4-samantha-akkinenis-steps-nagarjuna-host-dussehra-special-watch-first-promo-570247|access-date=2020-10-25|website=www.pinkvilla.com}}</ref> She received praise for her work in the series.<ref>{{Cite web|last=K.|first=Janani|date=October 25, 2020|title=Samantha promises enjoyment as she turns host for Bigg Boss Telugu 4. Watch Nagarjuna's reaction|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/television/reality-tv/story/samantha-promises-enjoyment-as-she-turns-host-for-bigg-boss-telugu-4-watch-nagarjuna-s-reaction-1734859-2020-10-25|access-date=2020-10-25|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref> Later, in the same year she once again hosted a talk show ''[[Sam Jam]]'' that streamed on [[Aha (streaming service)|Aha]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Pecheti|first=Prakash|title=Samantha Akkineni turns host with Sam Jam|url=https://telanganatoday.com/samantha-akkineni-turns-host-with-sam-jam|access-date=2020-11-06|website=Telangana Today|language=en-US}}</ref>
| |
| | |
| In 2021, Samantha starred in the second season of [[Hindi]] [[Web series|web-series]] [[The Family Man (Indian TV series)|''The Family Man'']].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-08-27|title=Samantha Akkineni dubs for web series The Family Man Season 2|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/samantha-akkineni-dubs-for-the-family-man-season-2-photo-6572298/|access-date=2021-04-10|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref> She played the role of the main antagonist Raji, a rebel leader from the [[Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Family Man 2 Review: Manoj Bajpayee And Samantha Deliver An Onscreen Duet To Die For|url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/the-family-man-2-review-manoj-bajpayee-and-samantha-deliver-an-onscreen-duet-to-die-for-3-stars-out-of-5-2456150|access-date=2021-06-07|website=NDTV.com}}</ref>
| |
| | |
| ==Personal life and off-screen work==
| |
| [[File:Samantha Akkineni along with Naga Chaitanya Akkineni.jpg|thumb|Samantha & Naga Chaitanya with [[Nagarjuna (actor)|Nagarjuna]] and [[Venkatesh Daggubati]].]]
| |
| Samantha suffered from an extended period of illness in 2012, which saw her having to opt out of big film projects and take a two-month break from acting. She suffered from an immunity disorder and then had a further setback after her body did not respond well to antibiotics.<ref name="nie">{{cite news |last=Mohan |first=Manasa |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/interviews/article1431634.ece |title='I can't look at myself on the screen |newspaper=The New Indian Express |date=23 January 2013 |access-date=15 November 2015}}</ref>
| |
| She began dating actor [[Naga Chaitanya]] in 2010 after appearing in the film ''[[Ye Maaya Chesave]]''. The pair were engaged in a ceremony in Hyderabad during January 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/ibtimes-exclusive-samantha-opens-about-naga-chaitanya-marriage-694379 |title=IBTimes Exclusive: Samantha opens up about Naga Chaitanya and marriage |website=Ibtimes.co.in |date=20 September 2016 |access-date=14 January 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/naga-chaitanya-samantha-marriage-plans-premam-saahasam-swasaga-sagapo/1/767104.html |title=Naga Chaitanya on wedding plans: I will tie the knot next year |website=Indiatoday.intoday.in |date=18 September 2016 |access-date=14 January 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/chaisam-wedding-all-you-need-know-about-naga-chaitanya-and-samantha-69561|title=ChaiSam wedding: All that you need to know about Naga Chaitanya and Samantha|date=7 October 2017|website=thenewsminute.com}}</ref> She got married in [[Goa]] as per traditional Hindu customs on 6 October 2017 and then by Christian customs on 7 October 2017,<ref name="wed">{{cite news|last1=Aashna|first1=Shah|title=Samantha Ruth Prabhu And Naga Chaitanya Married - Happily Ever After.|url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/samantha-ruth-prabhu-and-naga-chaitanya-married-happily-ever-after-see-pics-1759776|access-date=7 October 2017|work=[[NDTV]]|date=7 October 2017|location=[[New Delhi]]}}</ref> and became a member of the [[Akkineni family]].<ref>{{cite news|url= https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/naga-chaitanya-samantha-ruth-prabhu-wedding-on-hold-for-now-nagarjuna-3016386/|title= Naga Chaitanya-Samantha Ruth Prabhu wedding on hold for now: Nagarjuna}}</ref> Since then she has been using her [[Maiden and married names|married name]], Samantha Akkineni.<ref name="namechange">{{cite news |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/samantha-ruth-prabhu-changes-name-to-samantha-akkineni-here-s-how-twitter-reacted/story-O0uBLQP9vGYvy0DnEpOyZL.html |title='Samantha Ruth Prabhu changes name to Samantha Akkineni. Here's how Twitter reacted' |newspaper=Hindustahan Times |date=12 October 2017 |access-date=12 October 2017}}</ref><ref name="namechange2">{{cite news |url=https://regional.pinkvilla.com/telugu/news/im-akkineni-samantha-now-live-familys-legacy-says-newly-wed-samantha/ |title='I'm Akkineni Samantha from now and I have to live up to the family's legacy, says the newly wed Samantha' |newspaper=Pinkvilla |date=14 October 2017 |access-date=14 October 2017}}</ref>
| |
| | |
| ===Philanthropy===
| |
| | |
| Samantha has actively been involved in philanthropic activities and donates her earnings from endorsements, product launches and inauguration events to her charitable trust, [[Pratyusha Support]], which was registered in 2012.<ref name="pratyusha">{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/ye-maaya-chesave-girl-reaches-out-to-children/article6796447.ece |title='Ye Maaya Chesave' girl reaches out to children |newspaper=The Hindu |date=17 January 2015 |access-date=15 November 2015}}</ref> She chose to begin the non-governmental organisation after being bed-ridden for 15 days during her documented illness in 2012, and wanted to give back to society. Samantha subsequently started the [[Pratyusha Support|Pratyusha Support foundation]] to provide medical support for women and children with the help of three doctor friends, and provided the entire financial support for the programme.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.idlebrain.com/celeb/interview/samantha.html |title=Samantha interview – Telugu film actress |publisher=Idlebrain.com |date=13 December 2012 |access-date=15 November 2015}}</ref> She held a fund raiser in August 2013 to raise awareness of her foundation, auctioning several of her personal items and memorabilia from films.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/Samantha-to-auction-personal-items/articleshow/21706272.cms |title=Samantha to auction personal items |newspaper=The Times of India |date=8 August 2013 |access-date=15 November 2015}}</ref> A further initiative in 2014 saw the launch of a programme to fulfil the wishes of children with life-threatening diseases, with Samantha financing trips for children to fly on an aeroplane and travel to the [[Taj Mahal]], while also organising opportunities for children to meet their favourite film actors.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/Tollywood-heroines-ditch-glamour-for-charity/articleshow/31829107.cms |title=Tollywood heroines ditch glamour for charity |newspaper=The Times of India |date=11 March 2014 |access-date=15 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/Ram-Charan-fulfills-ailing-kids-wish/articleshow/44878129.cms |title=Ram Charan fulfills ailing kid's wish |newspaper=The Times of India |date=19 October 2014 |access-date=15 November 2015}}</ref> Samantha has also been involved in spreading awareness of haemophilia, regularly taking part in events creating awareness of the disease.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gulte.com/movienews/11087/Samantha-Sets-Out-For-A-Cause |title=Samantha attends Hemophilia Awareness Program |publisher=Gulte.com |access-date=15 November 2015}}</ref>
| |
| | |
| Through her charitable trust, Samantha entered into an agreement in January 2015 to pay a third of the hospital bills of one infant per week who required intensive care support at Andhra Hospitals. Under the arrangement, Samantha agreed to contribute towards a third of the bills, while Andhra Hospitals would also pay a third of the bill and the remaining third would be paid by the parents.<ref name="ah">{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/actor-samantha-to-sponsor-vaccines-to-infants/article7832143.ece |title=Actor Samantha to sponsor vaccines to infants |newspaper=The Hindu |date=2 November 2015 |access-date=15 November 2015}}</ref> In November 2015, Samantha entered into a further agreement with Andhra Hospitals to sponsor vaccination of all infants below six months for rotaviral infections free of cost.<ref name="ah"/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/diabetes-screening-awareness-camp-today/article7875834.ece |title=Diabetes screening, awareness camp today |newspaper=The Hindu |access-date=15 November 2015}}</ref> Later in the month, the actress took part in an organ donation pledge at [[Madhapur]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-15/actress-samantha-to-take-on-an-organ-donation-pledge.html |title=Actress Samantha to take on an organ donation pledge |publisher=Behindwoods.com |date=4 November 2015 |access-date=15 November 2015}}</ref> During the [[2015 South Indian floods|2015 Chennai floods]], Samantha was situated in Hyderabad for the shoot of a film, and helped mobilise the Mana Madras Kosam initiative organised by the Telugu film industry. Through the initiative, she participated in gathering relief materials at Ramanaidu Studios and appealed to the Telugu-speaking public to help gather resources to send to Chennai.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/mana-madras-kosam-to-chennai-with-love-from-hyderabad/article7961761.ece|title=Mana Madras Kosam: To Chennai, with love from Hyderabad|author=Srivathsan Nadadhur|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kollytalk.com/cinenews/samantha-appeals-p-telengana-tn-flood-relief-fund-346086.html|title=Samantha appeals to A.P., Telengana for TN flood relief fund|date=11 December 2015|website=Kollytalk.com}}</ref> She later donated 30 lakh rupees for flood relief activities to take place in [[Pallavaram]], the suburb in which the actress grew up.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mirchi9.com/movienews/samantha-ruth-prabhu-30-lakh-donation-for-chennai-floods/|title=Samantha outdoes Superstar for Chennai help|publisher=Telugu Movie News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://behindwoods.com/tamil-actress/samantha/samantha-interview.html |title=Samantha interview |publisher=Behindwoods.com |access-date=23 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/samanthas-unlearning-experience/article7996153.ece?secpage=true&secname=entertainment |title=Samantha's unlearning experience: On acting with Dhanush in Thanga Magan |work=The Hindu |date=16 December 2015 |access-date=23 December 2015}}</ref> Samantha stood up for the cause of Handloom people of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh states by wearing them and making photoshoots for handloom made sarees and other items.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vogue.in/content/actor-samantha-ruth-prabhu-is-championing-the-cause-of-indian-handlooms/|title=Actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu is championing the cause of Indian handlooms|publisher=vogue.in|date=7 August 2017}}</ref> Samantha to be brand Ambassador for Telangana Handlooms<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/samantha-turns-brand-ambassador-telangana-handlooms/1/872048.html|title=Samantha to be brand ambassador of Telangana handlooms|publisher=intoday.in|date=7 February 2017}}</ref> Samantha to start a store named Tweave along with handloom persons and a company named SVSpartnersLLP a company into handlooms.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ntvtelugu.com/en/2017/08/09/samantha-announces-launch-of-tweave/|publisher=ntvtelugu.com|title= Samantha announces launch of 'Tweave'|date=9 August 2017}}</ref>
| |
| | |
| ==Media image and artistry==
| |
| The success of ''[[Ye Maaya Chesave]]'' (2010) and subsequent back-to-back successes prompted ''Rediff.com'' to label her "the most sought after actress in the Telugu film industry" during 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/slide-show-1-samantha-i-am-gods-favourite-child-south/20140523.htm#1 |title=Samantha: I am God's favourite child |work=Rediff.com |date=23 May 2014 |access-date=15 November 2015}}</ref> Her initial choice of films depicted her as an actress who actively selects to feature in strong female roles, with [[Times of India]] noting that "scripts are written around the characters she portrays" and that she held a place in the "wishlist of every top actor, director and producer".<ref name="toi">{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/I-am-in-love-says-Samantha/articleshow/17758408.cms |title=I am in love, says Samantha |newspaper=The Times of India |date=25 December 2012 |access-date=15 November 2015}}</ref> Her inclusion in Telugu film projects were also initially considered a "lucky charm" by producers, though Samantha acknowledged that though "destiny" played a role in her career, and that there were "many women out there who are more beautiful and more talented" than she was and that she hoped her name would instead be "synonymous with hard work".<ref name="toi"/> Samantha also stated that she was willing to forgo her salary demands to appear in good films, revealing that she worked on [[Gautham Menon]]'s films for lower rates and that she had rejected more lucrative offers to feature in [[S. S. Rajamouli]]'s ''[[Eega]]'' (2012).<ref name="toi"/>
| |
| | |
| After portraying strong characters in her first few films, Samantha chose to feature in increasingly hero-centric films in the mid 2010s. When questioned on her decision not to take up more heroine-orientated roles, Samantha lamented the lack of chances that the South Indian film industry presents for established female characters and described it as "simply male-dominated".<ref name="hello"/><ref name="toiperf">{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Never-gone-running-behind-something-Samantha/articleshow/47049957.cms |title=Never gone running behind something: Samantha |newspaper=The Times of India |date=26 April 2015 |access-date=15 November 2015}}</ref> She added that the market meant she was not going to "get roles similar to her characters in ''Ye Maaya Chesave'' or ''Eega'' every time" and accepted stories if it had "the potential to engage viewers".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.123telugu.com/interviews/exclusive-interview-samantha-ive-changed-as-a-person.html |title=Exclusive Interview : Samantha – I've changed as a person |publisher=123telugu.com |access-date=15 November 2015}}</ref> Talking about her glamorous role in her comeback Tamil film, ''[[Anjaan (2014 film)|Anjaan]]'' (2014), Samantha stated that she made a "thoughtful call" as "it was important to do these kind of films to get exposure into the market," and that regrettably "mass films" were "where the main audience" was in South Indian cinema. She also added that she did not want to be "typecast as the girl-next-door" and was keen to prove critics wrong, who said that she could not fit into glamorous roles.<ref name="ok">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlykollywood.com/only-kollywood-samantha-interview-anjaan-kaththi-10-enradhukulla/ |title=Interview with Samantha Ruth Prabhu, the reigning queen! |publisher=Only Kollywood |date=11 August 2014 |access-date=15 November 2015}}</ref> In an interview in 2015, Samantha suggested that she was unhappy with her work during the previous year and would no longer do any more films where she would be "required to do five songs and the scenes leading up to the songs" and made a promise to herself that "if she was not going to get good roles", she would quit acting.<ref name="dna">{{cite web|author=Latha Srinivasan |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/interview-i-wanted-to-quit-films-says-samantha-2117860 |title=I wanted to quit films, says Samantha |newspaper=Daily News and Analysis |date=24 August 2015 |access-date=15 November 2015}}</ref>
| |
| | |
| Being able to speak both Tamil and Telugu, Samantha has often been cast in bilingual films and has juggled her commitments between the Tamil and Telugu film industries. Even though she had a brief foray into Hindi cinema with the shelved ''Assi Nabbe Poorey Sau'', Samantha has distanced herself from working on Hindi language films stating that she has no incentive to move to [[Bollywood]] unlike actresses of North Indian origin and that audiences from South India would relate to her appearance more.<ref name="hello"/> Her popularity has led to the actress representing several brands on a pan-Indian scale.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.teluguodu.com/samantha-is-the-1st-south-actress-to-do-it/ |title=Samantha Is The 1st South Actress To Do It! |publisher=Teluguodu.com |access-date=15 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.filmibeat.com/telugu/news/2013/photos-samantha-new-brand-ambassador-lux-120055.html |title=Photos: Samantha Turns New Brand Ambassador Of Lux |publisher=Filmibeat |date=18 September 2013 |access-date=15 November 2015}}</ref> She has often been cast opposite the same actors more than once, featuring in two or more films with [[Vijay (actor)|Vijay]], [[Suriya]], [[Naga Chaitanya]], [[Nani (actor)|Nani]], [[Mahesh Babu]] and [[Jr NTR]], a feat Samantha revealed she takes "pride in".<ref name="dna"/> The actress has also regularly appreciated work by her contemporaries, and has in particular praised performances by [[Anushka Shetty]], [[Nithya Menen]] and [[Sai Pallavi]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/samantha-looks-up-to-anushka-telugu-news-72037.html |title=Samantha looks up to Anushka |publisher=Indiaglitz.com |date=14 October 2011 |access-date=15 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/i-want-to-end-my-career-with-his-film--samantha-interview--telugu-news-130234.html |title=I want to end my career with his film : Samantha [Interview] |publisher=Indiaglitz.com |date=13 April 2015 |access-date=15 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-07-28|title=Samantha praises Sai Pallavi after watching Fidaa|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/samantha-praises-sai-pallavi-after-watching-fidaa.html|access-date=2021-04-19|website=Behindwoods}}</ref>
| |
| | |
| Samantha has also been involved in a few controversies, primarily as a result of voicing her opinions through [[Twitter]]. Following the release of a promotional poster for the Telugu film, ''[[1: Nenokkadine]]'' (2014) in December 2013, Samantha criticised the depiction of actress [[Kriti Sanon]] crawling behind actor Mahesh Babu on the beach, who looks back at Kriti disapprovingly. Samantha tweeted that the poster was "deeply regressive" and stated that it was offensive by the makers to depict women like animals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.greatandhra.com/movies/photo-feature/samanthas-comment-on-1-nenokkadine-poster-52346.html |title=Samantha's Comment On '1-Nenokkadine' Poster? |publisher=greatandhra.com |date=16 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171102135533/http://www.greatandhra.com/movies/photo-feature/samanthas-comment-on-1-nenokkadine-poster-52346.html |access-date=30 December 2013|archive-date=2 November 2017 }}</ref> The tweet received an adversely storming response from Mahesh Babu's fans, who launched a scathing attack on her online and targeted abuse at the actress. Her opinions were later backed by actor [[Siddharth (actor)|Siddharth]] and directors [[Sekhar Kammula]] and [[Nandini Reddy]], who also resultantly faced similar abuse, before Mahesh Babu apologised.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/Theres-Samthing-about-Mahesh-Babu/articleshow/27621398.cms|title=There's 'Sam'thing about Mahesh Babu|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/Samantha-could-have-called-me-Mahesh/articleshow/28850028.cms|title=Samantha could have called me: Mahesh|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/mahesh-babu-and-samantha-make-peace-news-telugu-ohon4Vgcfbcjf.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715134613/http://www.sify.com/movies/mahesh-babu-and-samantha-make-peace-news-telugu-ohon4Vgcfbcjf.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2014-07-15|title=Mahesh Babu and Samantha make peace|website=Sify.com}}</ref> Through her tweets, she was also criticised for revealing actor [[Akhil (Telugu actor)|Akhil]]'s presence in ''[[Manam (film)|Manam]]'' (2014) and retweeting a pirated image from her film ''[[10 Endrathukulla]]'' (2015).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/151030/entertainment-kollywood/article/samantha%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%98smoking%E2%80%99-re-tweet-invites-trouble|title=Samantha's 'smoking' re-tweet invites trouble|newspaper=[[Deccan Chronicle]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bangaloremirror.com/entertainment/south-masala/Samanthas-tweet-has-Nag-fuming/articleshow/26324058.cms|title=Samantha's tweet has Nag fuming|newspaper=[[Bangalore Mirror]]}}</ref> Her family home in Chennai was raided in late September 2015 by income tax officials, in a planned operation targeting film actors, though the actress and her father denied making any wrongful payments.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/it-raids-on-premises-of-actors-vijay-nayanthara-samantha-ends/article7712720.ece|title=Actor Vijay evaded tax for five years, claim I-T officials|author=Sangeetha Kandavel|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telugucinema.com/news/Samantha-denies-tax-evasion-allegations|title=Samantha denies tax-evasion allegations|website=Telugucinema.com}}</ref> In 2017, she was appointed as the ambassador for [[Telangana]] [[Handloom]]s by the government of [[Telangana]] and currently works to promote handloom textiles in the state of Telangana.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/here-is-why-ktr-is-thanking-samantha-telugu-news-178007.html|title=Here is why KTR is thanking Samantha|publisher=indiaglitz.com}}</ref>
| |
| | |
| She was ranked in [[The Times of India|The Times Most Desirable Women]] at No. 17 in 2019,<ref>{{Cite web|title=MEET THE TIMES 50 MOST DESIRABLE WOMEN 2019 - Times of India ►|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/meet-indias-most-desirable-divas/articleshow/77805527.cms|access-date=2021-08-07|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> at No. 34 in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Times Most Desirable Women of 2020 - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/the-times-most-desirable-woman-of-2020-rhea-chakraborty-living-through-a-trial-by-fire-gracefully/articleshow/83312150.cms|url-status=live|access-date=2021-08-07|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref>
| |
| | |
| == Accolades ==
| |
| {{Main|List of awards and nominations received by Samantha Akkineni}}
| |
| | |
| Samantha is recipient several awards including four [[Filmfare Awards South]], two [[Andhra Pradesh]] State [[Nandi Awards]], four [[South Indian International Movie Awards]], and three [[CineMAA Awards]].
| |
| | |
| ==References==
| |
| {{Reflist}}
| |
| | |
| ==External links==
| |
| {{commons category}}
| |
| * {{IMDb person}}
| |
| * {{Bollywood Hungama person}}
| |
| * {{Rotten Tomatoes person|samantha_akkineni}}
| |
| * {{Facebook}}
| |
| {{Bigg Boss Telugu}}{{FilmfareTeluguBestActress}}
| |
| {{FilmfareTamilBestActress}}
| |
| {{NandiSpecialJuryAward}}
| |
| {{CineMAABestActress}}
| |
| | |
| {{authority control}}
| |
| | |
| {{DEFAULTSORT:Akkineni, Samantha}}
| |
| [[Category:1987 births]]
| |
| [[Category:Living people]]
| |
| [[Category:21st-century Indian actresses]]
| |
| [[Category:Actresses in Hindi cinema]]
| |
| [[Category:Actresses in Tamil cinema]]
| |
| [[Category:Actresses in Telugu cinema]]
| |
| [[Category:Filmfare Awards South winners]]
| |
| [[Category:Malayali people]]
| |
| [[Category:Indian film actresses]]
| |
| [[Category:Actresses from Chennai]]
| |
| [[Category:Stella Maris College, Chennai alumni]]
| |
| [[Category:Female models from Chennai]]
| |
| [[Category:Nandi Award winners]]
| |
| [[Category:Santosham Film Awards winners]]
| |
