As actors Naga Chaitanya and Sobhita Dhulipala mark their first wedding anniversary, the spotlight has returned to the intense online scrutiny they faced following their intimate ceremony on December 4, 2024. The couple was subjected to a wave of backlash, with a section of social media users wrongly accusing Sobhita of being involved in Chaitanya's previous marriage breakdown with actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu.
Chaitanya Sets the Record Straight on Podcast
In a candid conversation earlier this year, Chaitanya directly addressed the false narratives. During an appearance on the Raw Talks With VK podcast in February 2025, the 'Thandel' actor firmly stated that Sobhita entered his life long after his separation. He described their meeting as organic, beginning with a social media interaction on Instagram that blossomed into friendship and later, a relationship.
"She is not at fault in this matter. She came into my life... we met in a very organic way, beautiful way," Chaitanya emphasized, expressing his dismay over the unfair treatment his wife received. He made it unequivocally clear that Sobhita "had not been connected to my past in any way at all."
A 'True Hero' and a Graceful Separation
Chaitanya did not hold back in praising Sobhita's strength in handling the unwarranted public criticism. He called her a "true hero" for navigating the chaos with immense patience and maturity. "To face this is not easy," he added, thanking her for being so understanding.
Reflecting on his divorce from Samantha Ruth Prabhu, whom he was married to from 2017 to 2021, Chaitanya stressed it was a mutual and respectful decision. "We wanted to go our own ways. For our own reasons, we have taken this decision and we respect each other," he stated. He expressed disappointment that their private matter became public gossip but noted that both had moved on with grace.
"I've moved on with so much grace. She has moved on with so much grace... I have found love again. I am so happy," Chaitanya shared, adding that it was unfair to be "treated like a criminal" for the choice.
New Beginnings for Both
Chaitanya revealed that the decision to end his first marriage was conscious and considered, influenced by his own childhood experiences. "It was a mutual decision," he reiterated, stating he would think a thousand times before breaking a relationship due to an awareness of the repercussions.
Meanwhile, Samantha Ruth Prabhu has also embraced a new chapter in her life. On December 1, 2025, she married filmmaker Raj Nidimoru in a traditional Bhuta Shuddhi Vivaha ceremony at the Linga Bhairavi Temple in Coimbatore. The event was an intimate affair with only 30 close friends and family in attendance.
As the anniversary conversations resurface online, Chaitanya's heartfelt defense of his wife serves as a strong reminder of the human cost of unfounded online speculation and the importance of respecting personal boundaries.
