Samantha Ruth Prabhu has opened up about the reasons behind her significant weight loss, attributing it to her battle with myositis and the strict dietary limitations imposed by the condition. While promoting her upcoming film Maa Inti Bangaram, the actress addressed persistent inquiries about her appearance and health.
Health Struggles and Dietary Restrictions
During an interaction with Galatta Plus, Samantha explained that many people are unaware of the challenges faced by those with autoimmune diseases. She stated, "Now, I'm in a good place where I can eat comfortably. Not excessively, but eat. I'm always asked, why did you lose so much weight? People never really know what's going on with someone. It's not like I don't want to eat, I can't eat."
The actress revealed that during her two-year break from films, food became a major trigger for her condition. Any food that upset her gut could aggravate the autoimmune disorder, forcing her to follow a highly restrictive diet. "Those two years that I was on a break, food was a trigger. If I eat anything that upsets my gut, I would trigger the autoimmune condition. And so, my food became extremely restricted and extremely bland. I would eat the same food for breakfast, lunch and dinner for two years," she shared.
The Story Behind Her Cat's Name
Samantha also shared how her health journey inspired the name of her pet cat, Gelato. After years of dietary restrictions, gelato was one of the first foods she was allowed to reintroduce into her meals. "The first thing that I was allowed to add was gelato, without sugar and dairy. So, I would really look forward to that gelato. So, when I decided to get a cat, I named her Gelato," she said.
A Journey of Resilience
Samantha disclosed her myositis diagnosis in 2022 while promoting Yashoda. Since then, she has been open about her treatment and recovery, using her platform to raise awareness about the condition. The actress will next be seen in Maa Inti Bangaram, directed by Nandini Reddy, which is set to release in theatres on June 19.
