Samantha Ruth Prabhu, the celebrated actress known for her powerful performances and captivating screen presence, has revealed a deeply personal struggle during the filming of her upcoming series, Citadel: Honey Bunny. In a candid interview with Galatta India, Samantha opened up about her battle with myositis, an autoimmune disorder that affects muscles, and how it nearly led to her stepping away from the project.
“I begged them to move on because I really didn’t think I could do it,” Samantha confessed, expressing her initial doubts and fears. She was so convinced she couldn’t fulfill the demanding role that she even provided a list of alternative actresses she believed would be perfect for the part. “I sent other recommendations, ‘Look at this heroine, she is so amazing. She will kill it. I beg you I can’t do this.’ I sent like four options to them. I was really not well.”
Despite her reservations and physical challenges, Samantha ultimately found the strength to persevere. She pushed through the pain and exhaustion, driven by a desire to prove to herself that she could overcome adversity.
“Now, watching this show, I am so thankful that they didn’t make it without me and that I found the strength to do it,” Samantha shared, expressing immense gratitude for her directors, Raj and DK, who believed in her ability to deliver a powerful performance despite her struggles. “Even before the verdict is out for this show, I am going to give it to myself for pulling through.”
Samantha’s dedication and resilience have been widely praised by those who worked alongside her on Citadel: Honey Bunny. Co-star Varun Dhawan, speaking at the series’ trailer launch, lauded Samantha’s strength and determination. “I’ve never been on a shoot or a creative process like that before, where I witnessed a co-actor going through such challenges,” he remarked. “You learn a lot about human resilience and strength when you see someone battling something and still succeeding. Samantha inspired not just me, but also Raj, DK, Sita, and everyone at Amazon. Her dedication to this action show is truly inspirational,”
Citadel: Honey Bunny, a spin-off of the popular American spy-action series Citadel starring Priyanka Chopra and Richard Madden, premieres on November 7th. The series promises an exciting blend of action and drama, showcasing Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s remarkable comeback story.