Agency & Self-Confidence: What Women Should Take From Samantha's Decision To Do Oo Antava

Samantha Ruth Prabhu has said that the hit single Oo Antava was offered to her "in the middle of the separation" by her ex-husband Naga Chaitanya. The actor stated that her friends, family, and well-wishers advised her to reject it since she should not perform an "item song" "shortly after her divorce.

Everyone has seen the Pushpa: The Rise song Oo Antava go viral from Tollywood to Bollywood on numerous social media sites. The song, which featured Prabhu in a sizzling dancing style, stunned not just the country but also the world, and she became a megastar. The song also brought the actor to the forefront for a variety of reasons, including the fact that Prabhu was seen for the first time in such a bold avatar, which drew both criticism and admiration. Her charging Rs 5 crores for the three-minute song grabbed headlines as well. Furthermore, the song sparked controversy due to its lyrics and choreography, with individuals accusing the song's creators of being sexist. And the most talked-about aspect of all of this was the timing of the song's release, which came just after her divorce announcement. In a nutshell, this song transformed her from one of the prominent performers in Telugu and Tamil movies to the talk of the town everywhere.

Samantha Prabhu's Decision To Do Oo Antava

Now, in an interview with Miss Malini, Prabhu shared that when she was offered Oo Antava, it was in the middle of their split (from Chaitanya). She added that after the news broke, every well-wisher and family member advised her, "You will sit at home; you will not do an item song just since you've announced the split." Even her friends, who were usually encouraging her to challenge herself, advised her not to do an item song.

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Prabhu was in a challenging situation; her six-year relationship with Chaitanya was on the verge of ending, and she was aware that society would criticise her for it. Moreover, in such a scenario, everyone from family to friends to close ones advised her not to perform an item song since it would cast a negative light on her and make others judge her badly. Despite knowing all of this and being in such a difficult moment, she agreed to do the song.

Everyone knows she didn't listen to anyone and did the song, but her immediate response is what stands out for me. From being approached for the song to hearing everyone's reasons for not doing it, her response was, 'Okay, I'm doing it.'

The actor has stated several times how much she loves her work, and in her most recent interview, she stated that she did not want to hide away during her divorce proceedings. There is an apparent reason why she would 'sit at home' and pass up the opportunity to perform a song in a mass cinema for the sake of those who will talk shit regardless of anything. Taking such a decision and being determined by it shows self-confidence. That only comes from within when you know you are not doing anything wrong, and this self-confidence gives you the courage to turn your thoughts into action without holding yourself back. People judge; they talk; everyone knows. What everyone, especially women, needs to know is that being confident and determined in your decisions will only lead to success.

In a survey of 250 professionals from various disciplines and levels of experience, it was discovered that 71% turned down opportunities due to lack of confidence, with 51% being women and 49% being men. This analysis shows how a lack of confidence can cause you to pass up many excellent opportunities, particularly for women. Self-confidence helps you perceive yourself in a new light. It allows you to accomplish things that you might otherwise skip because you are afraid of being judged. It is crucial for all women to have confidence in themselves; it can work wonders, as it did with Prabhu.

It is not a secret that among all the accolades, she has also received a lot of flak for this, but sticking to her decisions, believing in herself, and continuing to respond to them with her hard work is what has made her a true icon. She will be soon seen in Shaakuntalam in a lead role. Along with that, she is also playing the title character in the international spy drama Citadel.

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