Lakshmi Manchu Says A Superstar’s Ex-Wife Lost Films Post-Divorce: ‘You Think It’s Samantha But…’

Actor Lakshmi Manchu has stirred discussions in the Telugu film industry with her recent comments during promotions of her upcoming film Daksha: A Deadly Conspiracy. The actor suggested that a superstar’s ex-wife has been unofficially sidelined by Tollywood after her divorce, sparking speculation about whether she was referring to Samantha Ruth Prabhu.

In her conversation with Great Andhra, Lakshmi explained that this actor is eager for work but continues to be denied roles. According to her, the reluctance stems from the fear that filmmakers may face backlash from the superstar involved.

Lakshmi Manchu’s Bold Remarks When asked directly by the reporter, Lakshmi pushed back at the speculation but didn’t hold back on highlighting the industry’s

gender bias. She said, “There is a superstar’s ex-wife who works here. She got divorced, and since then, even films that were once offered to her have been taken away. Oddu le amma, aina emana antaru emo (He might feel bad and say something), is what they tell her. She is waiting to do good work, and I don’t need to name her.”

When the reporter suggested she was referring to Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Lakshmi refused to confirm. “You’re thinking it’s Samantha. There’s not one superstar; around five to six of them have been divorced. And I am close to all of them. But my point is, a man will face something like that; his life will never change. But for a woman, once she marries, she has kids, has in-laws, she takes on a lot of responsibilities. No one gives us freedom; we have to take it on our own.”

Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s Journey
For context, Samantha has been one of the most successful actors in South Indian cinema since her breakout role in Ye Maaya Chesave (2010). She went on to headline films opposite leading stars like Pawan Kalyan, Mahesh Babu, Jr NTR, Allu Arjun, Vijay, and Dhanush.

Samantha married Naga Chaitanya in 2017, and the couple divorced in 2021. A year later, she revealed that she was battling an autoimmune condition, myositis. Despite health struggles, she continued working, appearing in Shaakunthalam and Kushi in 2023. While she has yet to sign a major South Indian film post-divorce, Samantha has made significant inroads into digital content. After starring in Citadel: Honey Bunny (2024), she is set to reunite with Raj & DK for Netflix’s Rakt Brahmand: The Bloody Kingdom.