Who Was Joseph Prabhu? A Look At Samantha’s Father And Their Bond

Actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu's father, Joseph Prabhu, a Telugu Anglo-Indian, passed away on Friday, November 30. The actor shared the heartbreaking news with her fans through an Instagram Story. Posting a “heartbroken” emoji, she wrote, “Until we meet again.” While the cause of Joseph’s death remains unknown, he was rarely seen on Samantha’s social media platforms.

When Samantha Opened Up About Strained Relationship With Her Father

Samantha had previously opened up about her “strained” relationship with her father in an interview with Galatta India. Reflecting on her childhood, she revealed, "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… 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."

Samantha also emphasised the importance of seeking validation and overcoming such beliefs. The actor revealed, “When Ye Maaya Chesave became a blockbuster and people showered me with praise, I didn’t know how to accept it. I wasn’t used to it. Success does two things: either you think you’re invincible, or you feel undeserving of the love and praise you get. For me, it was the latter.”

Who Was Joseph Prabhu?

Joseph Prabhu, born and raised in Chennai, stayed largely away from the limelight despite his daughter’s immense success. Samantha grew up in a close-knit family with her two older brothers, Jonathan and David.

What Samantha’s Father Said About Her Divorce From Naga Chaitanya

In 2022, Joseph Prabhu made headlines when he shared throwback photos from Samantha’s wedding with Naga Chaitanya, a year after their divorce. Posting the pictures on Facebook, he wrote, "Long, long ago, there was a story. And it doesn’t exist anymore! So, let’s start a new story. And a new chapter!”

The wedding photos showed Samantha in a white gown and Chaitanya in a black tuxedo, posing with family and guests. His reflective tone in the caption resonated with many. Responding to messages of support, Joseph added, "Thanks for all your feelings. Yes, I sat down for a long time to overcome my emotions. Life is too short to sit down with feelings and get bogged down.”