Actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu / Instagram/ samantharuthprabhuoffl

We all witnessed Karan Johar swallowing his surprise on National television when actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu surpassed his favourite - Alia Bhatt, in the poll. He couldn't believe it, but while he stands corrected, Samantha is moving on to greater achievements. Here's a look at the journey that went into making the storm that is-Samantha!

The rise of Samantha Ruth Prabhu from an actress down South to a global icon is not just inspiring, it's transformative. Her career is a blueprint for success in the new-age entertainment industry where talent, authenticity, and reach go hand in hand. She embodies the spirit of a modern-day icon: talented, resilient, relatable, and global. But how, in a male-dominated industry, did she leave all her heroes behind and secure a place internationally, amidst controversies, divorce and illnesses is what makes her a true icon.

Her debut in Gautham Menon's 2010 romantic drama Ye Maaya Chesave immediately marked her as a talent to watch. Her portrayal of Jessie, a character full of grace and emotional complexity, was a masterclass in subtlety-a stark contrast to the often over-the-top performances that mainstream South Indian cinema occasionally indulges in. Her performance won her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut - South.

From the outset, Samantha demonstrated a knack for choosing roles that went beyond the conventional glam-doll image, favoring characters with substance and emotional resonance. Films like Eega (2012), where she starred alongside a CGI housefly, or Mahanati (2018), where she played a journalist in a biopic of actress Savitri, proved she wasn't afraid of unconventional storytelling. Rangasthalam (2018) pushed that envelope further, as she portrayed a rustic village girl with emotional and psychological nuance, holding her own opposite Ram Charan in a mass-appeal rural drama.

A complete contrast to the usual projectile of an actress' career. Samantha started headlining strong, character-driven narratives years before the shift became a trend in Bollywood. Yet, the official entry into the Pan-Indian superstar league was her turn as Raji in The Family Man 2 (2021). Playing a Sri Lankan Tamil rebel, she portrayed a complex, morally ambiguous character with chilling intensity. The role was a far cry from her earlier filmography and demonstrated her range as an actor to a pan-Indian audience.

The series garnered her critical acclaim nationwide and opened doors to the Hindi-speaking audience, earning her new fans across the country. Her performance was both powerful and poignant, earning praise from critics, fans, and peers alike. Despite being pitted against the likes of Manoj Bajpayee who epitomises the Master Class of acting, Samantha stood her ground. She clearly stepped into the shoes of Raji knowing well she will have to give it her all. It was her one chance and she maxed it, transforming herself physically, training in combat and ensuring she outshines everyone in every frame.

This breakout role marked her official entry into the pan-Indian and global digital space, where content transcends linguistic barriers widening the horizons. With streaming platforms shrinking the world into a global village, Samantha's talent found recognition far beyond Indian shores. Her web series with Varun Dhawan, Citadel: Honey Bunny was well-received.

Speaking about the international market opening up for South actors, Samantha credited SS Rajamouli for it, "Rajamouli sir really opened up the gates. I think, for the first time, he thought, 'Let's see, I think this film has wings,' and I'm really glad he did." Pacifying the rest of the filmmakers, she added that it is not like other South Indian filmmakers are not great, they are but the problem is they are not that great in marketing. Something that is the need of the day.

Her insight has always been 20/20, so it's hardly a surprise that her production house Tralala Moving Pictures is the first production house to ensure pay parity in their projects. This controversial debate completely phased out with her very first production tentatively titled Bangaram. That's Samantha for you, slowly, quietly changing the game.

With her production house, and fashion label, Saaki doing so well one cannot help but think Samantha has fully immersed herself into work post her divorce with actor Naga Chaitanya.

With every new feather on her cap, her fans are staring back at all those who had spread rumours about huge alimony figures. Of course, Samantha's success has got Chay under the fire, with his Bollywood debut alongside Aamir Khan in Laal Singh Chaddha tanking, his second marriage to Shobita Dhulipala so soon after the divorce not helping the matters either. Post his marriage at a conference the actor requested all the Samantha fans to not criminalize him for moving on, "Spread positivity. I have respect for everyone she (Samantha) was involved in my life and I have so much respect for her. After that, I have come out, gained strength, found love again, and I have moved on in a genuine way. Whatever happened in my life isn't anything the society hasn't seen before. So why am I treated like a criminal?"

While Samantha makes no bones about being disgruntled by the way her marriage fell apart, she has had to concentrate on herself rather than the media attention to her life. In 2022, Samantha got a rude shock when she was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease Myositis, for someone whose global career had just started looking bright, the setback would have had one crumbling, but not Samantha. She refused to retreat from the spotlight, and battled on exposing her struggle and vulnerability.

Today, she is a beam of hope for those who are struggling with invisible illnesses which often don't get the support they need. Her strength through adversity humanized her stardom and reinforced her global appeal-not just as an actress, but as a real, relatable person. Despite her health challenges, Samantha remained committed to her work, continuing to act, endorse brands, and engage with her audience. Her resilience became a testament to her character and her unyielding dedication to her craft and her fans.

In the hierarchy of Indian film stardom, the top slot has often been reserved for Bollywood heroines-backed by centuries of media visibility, legacy production houses, and a dominant cultural narrative. But Samantha has proven that excellence knows no linguistic or geographical barriers. She's not just a South Indian star who made it big. She's an artist who outperformed, outshone, and outlasted expectations. While many Bollywood actresses may still be larger-than-life on the screen, Samantha has become larger than life off it-through her choices, her honesty, and her impact.

In a world that's finally waking up to talent beyond the Hindi belt, Samantha Ruth Prabhu has not just joined the race-she's leading it.