During the filming of Citadel: Honey Bunny, actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu showed extraordinary determination, overcoming severe health challenges to complete the project.
Diagnosed with myositis during production, Samantha struggled to keep up with the demanding physical requirements of her role as a spy.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, she and co-star Varun Dhawan opened up about her resilience through tough filming conditions.
Samantha, reflecting on her initial doubts, admitted, “With this condition, I truly thought I couldn’t step out, let alone be in front of the camera. I was certain there was no way.” Yet, she credits the Citadel team’s unwavering support, which ultimately gave her the strength to press on. She shared, “They made me trust them completely, something I had never done before. I let go, trusting they would help me through.”
Varun recalled two moments on set that left a profound impact on him.
In one instance, Samantha had just shut her eyes, saying, “It’s one of those days.” He then watched as an oxygen tank was brought over, with Samantha quietly taking oxygen between takes. “She didn’t have to push herself that day, but she did. That’s real commitment,” he remarked.
In another moment in Serbia, Samantha collapsed after a high-energy scene. “She had to chase after me on a railway platform. I ran past the camera, but when I looked back, she had collapsed. I rushed over and asked the director to call it a day, but they assured me she’d be okay,” Varun recalled.
Watching Samantha persevere despite the odds inspired the entire cast and crew. “Her resolve gave us all a new perspective,” Varun shared. “She taught us so much about resilience.”