‘Ready for that change’: Samantha Ruth Prabhu on motherhood and stepping back from her career

Samantha Ruth Prabhu is currently pregnant and adjusting to her new role as a mother. In an interview with Hollywood Reporter India, she discussed the challenges of stepping back from her successful acting career due to her myositis diagnosis. This forced her to reevaluate her identity and priorities, as she had previously measured her worth based on her performance and discipline.

The actress expressed her excitement about embracing the change that motherhood brings, believing that having a child will fundamentally alter her life. Licensed rehabilitation counsellor and psychotherapist Sonal Khangarot explained that becoming a parent often necessitates a redefinition of one's identity and priorities. She noted that the emotional connection, caregiving, and sense of responsibility that come with motherhood naturally influence how a person views work and success.

Counselling psychologist Athul Raj added that during the early years, children do not form conscious memories, but rather develop patterns of safety, emotional response, and attunement. He emphasized that a caregiver's presence is functional and that the attachment formed between a parent and child carries emotional weight. This attachment teaches children whether the world is a safe place for closeness or one where closeness must be earned.

Raj pointed out that there is enormous pressure on mothers in urban India, particularly when professional momentum is highly valued. However, he stressed that emotional availability, even in brief but consistent moments, can serve as a child's emotional anchor. The expert also mentioned that societal expectations, the mental load of caregiving, and the evolving definition of success contribute to this change in priorities for many women.

Khangarot emphasized the importance of redefining ambition in a way that aligns with one's evolving values, emotional needs, and sense of purpose, rather than becoming less ambitious. This transition is not about abandoning professional aspirations but about prioritizing a better balance between personal and professional life.