Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s father, Joseph Prabhu, has passed away. The actress shared a heartfelt tribute on her Instagram Stories, writing, “Until we meet again, Dad,” accompanied by a broken heart emoji.
Born to Joseph and Ninette Prabhu in Chennai, Samantha has often credited her father, a Telugu Anglo-Indian, for playing a significant role in her upbringing. Despite her busy career, she frequently acknowledged the unwavering support of her family. The news of his passing has prompted an outpouring of condolences from fans and well-wishers.
In a recent interview with Galatta India, Samantha candidly discussed her “strained” relationship with her father and how it impacted her self-esteem. She spoke about the challenges of seeking validation growing up, saying, “All my life growing up, I had to fight for validation. My father was kind of like… I think most Indian parents are like that. They think they’re protecting you.” She shared an instance where her father’s words shaped her perception of herself. “He actually told me, ‘You’re not that smart. This is just the standard of Indian education. That’s why even you can get a first rank.’ When you say that to a child, I really believed for the longest time that I’m not smart and not good enough.”
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Following Samantha’s separation from Naga Chaitanya in October 2021, Joseph Prabhu reflected on their marriage in a Facebook post nearly a year later. Sharing wedding photos, he expressed how difficult it was for him to accept their split but remained hopeful about embracing a new chapter in life.