Telugu actress Lakshmi Manchu recently made headlines with a bold statement about the treatment of women in the film industry. In an interview, she spoke about a popular actress who has struggled to find work after her divorce. Without directly naming anyone, Lakshmi hinted that Samantha has been deliberately sidelined and even had films withdrawn after separating from her superstar husband.
Lakshmi Manchu
Let us tell you that Samantha married actor Naga Chaitanya, son of Telugu legend Nagarjuna, in 2017 after a long relationship. However, the couple parted ways in 2021. Since the divorce, reports suggest that Samantha’s career has slowed down, with fewer film offers and only moderate releases. Lakshmi’s comments sparked speculation that she was pointing toward Samantha’s professional challenges. During the interview, Lakshmi expressed her frustration over the double standards women face.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu
Lakshmi Manchu’s Take On Actresses Not Getting Work After Divorce
“There’s a superstar’s ex-wife who works here. Since her divorce, the films she was supposed to do were taken away. People said if she is cast, her ex-husband might object. I don’t need to mention names,” she said. When the reporter asked if she was specifically talking about Samantha, Lakshmi deflected, saying, “Why assume it’s just Samantha? There are five or six superstars who have divorced. I’m close to all of them.”
Samantha Ruth Prabhu
She went on to highlight the unequal expectations placed on women. “When a man divorces, his life and career remain unaffected. But when a woman gets married, has children, or deals with in-laws, she carries all the responsibilities. Society rarely gives us freedom, and we have to handle everything alone,” Lakshmi added. Meanwhile, Samantha has remained single since her split from Naga Chaitanya, though rumors have linked her to filmmaker Raj Nidimoru after cozy pictures of the two surfaced online.