Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s father, Joseph Prabhu, has passed away.
The actress shared an emotional tribute on Instagram Stories, writing, “Until we meet again, Dad," accompanied by a broken heart emoji.
Born to Joseph Prabhu and Ninette Prabhu in Chennai, Samantha often credited her father, a Telugu Anglo-Indian, for playing a significant role in her upbringing.
Despite her busy career, she frequently spoke fondly of her family and the support they provided throughout her journey in the entertainment industry.
The news of Joseph Prabhu’s passing has prompted an outpouring of condolences from fans and well-wishers during this difficult time.
Recently, Samantha had opened up about her “strained" relationship with her father and how it impacted her self-esteem.
“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 explained.
Samantha recounted how her father would downplay her abilities, saying, “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."
Following Samantha's separation from Naga Chaitanya in October 2021, Joseph Prabhu had shared throwback wedding photos on Facebook nearly a year later.
Reflecting on their split, he mentioned that it had taken him a long time to come to terms with their separation and expressed his hope to begin a new chapter in his life.
Samantha’s heartfelt post serves as a reminder of the profound impact Joseph Prabhu had on her life, despite their complexities, leaving fans mourning his loss alongside her.