When it comes to film choices, the movies that top stars reject often become more interesting than the ones they sign.
Many actors later admit that they were supposed to do certain films but couldn’t, especially when those movies turn into blockbusters.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu, who has been one of the busiest actresses in South India for the past 15 years, also has her share of films she missed or turned down.
Some slipped away due to her busy schedule, while others were rejected by choice.
One of the biggest films she couldn’t do was Pushpa. Director Sukumar initially wanted Samantha as the female lead after showcasing her brilliantly in Rangasthalam.
However, she couldn’t take up the role, and Rashmika Mandanna was cast instead, who shot to a new level of stardom with the film.
Despite missing the lead role, Samantha still dominated the screen with her sensational special song in Pushpa: Part 1.
Samantha also turned down a major Bollywood launch. Karan Johar reportedly approached her for the female lead role in Student of the Year.
At the time, her career in the South was rapidly growing, and she feared that shifting focus to Bollywood might disturb her momentum.
She declined the offer, and the role eventually went to Alia Bhatt, who gained nationwide popularity with the film.
Another opportunity that came Samantha’s way was the Hindi remake of U-Turn. After starring in the Telugu remake of the Kannada hit, she was offered the Bollywood version as well but chose not to take it up.
In Telugu cinema, Samantha was the first choice for Ram Charan’s Bruce Lee (The Fighter).
Due to her packed schedule, she was unable to join the project, and the team cast Rakul Preet Singh instead. The film, however, did not perform well at the box office.
She was also considered for a role in Jr NTR’s Jai Lava Kusa, but she didn’t take up the offer.
Nani’s Dasara was another film that originally approached Samantha for the heroine’s role. After she declined, the role went to Keerthy Suresh, who delivered one of her most acclaimed performances.
These instances show that even the biggest stars miss or reject major opportunities. Some of the films Samantha skipped went on to become huge hits, while others didn’t make much impact.
That’s the unpredictable nature of cinema; choices, chances, and timing make all the difference.