Samantha Ruth Prabhu has been making headlines with her action-packed film Maa Inti Bangaaram and her pregnancy announcement. Her husband, filmmaker Raj Nidimoru, recently opened up about her health journey and how she handles her autoimmune condition myositis without letting others see her struggles.
The actor, who was diagnosed with myositis in 2022, has been managing the rare autoimmune muscle disorder while continuing to deliver powerful performances. Raj, known as one half of the popular director duo Raj and DK, shared that Samantha is careful about her health and does not let people know what she is going through.
Raj Nidimoru Opens Up About Samantha’s Health Battle During Citadel: Honey Bunny
Raj revealed that Samantha’s health was a major concern during the shooting of Citadel: Honey Bunny. The actress had to deal with crippling spasms, fatigue and sensitivity to light while filming the action series.
“It was more of a concern while shooting Citadel: Hunny Bunny. She’s overcome it quite a bit by the time we shot this film, though it does not go away. She is careful and does not let people know what she is going though, it was a big battle during Hunny Bunny.”
The filmmaker’s comments highlight how Samantha pushed through her health challenges without showing her struggles to those around her. During the Citadel: Honey Bunny shoot, her co-star Varun Dhawan recalled that Samantha collapsed on set and had to take oxygen. She also admitted that she did not think she could complete the shooting.
Samantha has previously spoken about her myositis diagnosis. She took a break from work in 2022 after being diagnosed with the condition while shooting for her Telugu film Kushi. The actress returned to work after months of recovery.
Maa Inti Bangaaram: A Risk That Paid Off
Raj and Samantha recently worked together on Maa Inti Bangaaram, a female-led action film that has become a box office success. The film, directed by B.V. Nandini Reddy, released in theatres worldwide on June 19, 2026.
Raj revealed that making the film was not easy. No one wanted to take a risk on the project. He said the film was self-funded because they had no backers.
“It’s self-funded in a way because no one wanted to take a risk. But that’s what I had to battle all my career – making movies that aren’t usually backed by others. It’s hard to find people to do these kinds of films.”
The filmmaker explained that he kept the budget tight because big budgets create pressure and force filmmakers to make unwanted decisions.
The film has collected around ₹35 crore in India in its first seven days and crossed ₹50 crore worldwide. The worldwide gross collection stands at ₹55.71 crore. It also performed well in North America, grossing $1.4 million.
Raj said the appreciation he received for Maa Inti Bangaaram feels more special than what he got for Stree and The Family Man. He added that the success has proved that women-led action films can attract audiences from day one.
Samantha’s Journey with Myositis and Dietary Restrictions
Samantha has been open about her experience with myositis. The condition forced her to step away from films for nearly two years. During her recovery, she had to follow extreme dietary restrictions.
The actress shared that food was a trigger for her condition. She ate the same bland food for breakfast, lunch and dinner for two years. The first thing she was allowed to add to her diet was gelato without sugar and dairy. She named her cat Gelato after this treat.
Samantha admitted that she still fears running out of energy each day. She said she wakes up and prays that there is no trigger and that she has the energy to shoot through the day.
“Every day I wake up and pray that there is no trigger and that I have the energy and strength to shoot through the day. There is this tiny fear about not having enough energy to make it through the day.”
When she was first offered Maa Inti Bangaaram, she was scared and did not know if her body would allow her to do it. Despite these challenges, she delivered a performance that has received praise from audiences and critics.
Samantha and Raj: From Professional Collaboration to Marriage
Samantha and Raj tied the knot on December 1, 2025 at the Linga Bhairavi Temple inside the Isha Yoga Centre in Coimbatore. The wedding was a private affair with only 30 guests.
The couple had worked together on The Family Man 2 and Citadel: Honey Bunny before their relationship turned personal. Raj shared that on set, the professional in him takes over.
“I’m a filmmaker first so on set its the director in me that takes over. We always look out for each other but the professional in us takes over on set.”
Samantha has praised Raj for bringing out the best in her. She said he knows her strengths and weaknesses well and has been fine-tuning them with every project.
Pregnancy Announcement and Maternity Break
Samantha confirmed her pregnancy during the success meet of Maa Inti Bangaaram in Hyderabad. She announced that she would be taking a maternity break from acting.
“Sorry, guys, one more small gap and then I’ll be back. But actually, I know I have to take maternity leave now, but I’m very, very happy.”
Sources revealed that the baby is due in December 2026. Samantha recently shared a playful post on Instagram, flaunting her baby bump with the caption “my six-pack”.
The actress said she is taking her maternity break on a professional high. She plans to focus on something big for her return. She added that she is not putting pressure on herself and will see how things go.
Raj and DK’s Upcoming Projects
Raj and his partner Krishna DK have several projects in the pipeline. They are working on their next Hindi film, which they are directing and producing.
Reports suggest that Salman Khan will lead their upcoming superhero film. The project is a big-budget film designed for a global audience. Filming is expected to begin around October 2026. This marks Salman Khan’s first full-fledged superhero venture.
Raj confirmed that they are working on a Hindi movie but did not reveal details. He said they have a Hollywood film script in pre-production and another series in development.
Rakt Brahmand: The Bloody Kingdom Status
Raj also addressed the status of Rakt Brahmand: The Bloody Kingdom, the Netflix series starring Samantha, Aditya Roy Kapur, Ali Fazal and Wamiqa Gabbi.
“We have shot a big chunk of it but a few things have to fall into place, so whenever that happens one of us will take over the project, not both of us.”
The series is set in a mythical kingdom and combines large-scale action with an edge-of-the-seat narrative. Raj and DK have previously clarified that the project is not shelved and is very much on track.
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Samantha’s Decision to Take a Break and Focus on Family
Samantha has been balancing her professional commitments with her personal life. She said she is calmer now since the release of Maa Inti Bangaaram. She does not have the pressure of delivering many films back-to-back.
The actress insisted that Maa Inti Bangaaram is a Telugu project and was specifically made for the Telugu audience. She said it was not right to force it on a pan-Indian audience.
Samantha’s journey from battling myositis to delivering a successful action film and embracing motherhood has been remarkable. Her husband Raj’s comments show that she continues to handle her health challenges with strength and privacy, not letting others see what she is going through.
Also Read: Rajiv Lakshman: The College Dropout Who Created India’s Biggest Reality Show and Quit at His Peak
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