For Samantha Ruth Prabhu, entering motherhood is bringing more than a new chapter in her personal life. It is also prompting her to reconsider how she defines herself, her ambitions and her relationship with work.
The Maa Inti Bangaram actor, who is expecting her first child, has been sharing glimpses of her pregnancy while gradually adapting her fitness routine and making space for the changes ahead. In a recent conversation with The Hollywood Reporter India, Samantha spoke about how her experience with illness had already changed the way she viewed identity and achievement.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu Says Illness Changed Her Relationship With Identity
Samantha explained that before her myositis diagnosis, much of her identity was built around achievement and productivity.
“Up until then, I had built my identity on goals, results, performance, discipline — everything was measured by doing. And for the first time, when I was sick, I had to make peace with the fact that I wasn’t contributing in any way,” she said.
Having to step away from her usual pace of work forced Samantha to confront a version of herself that was not defined by constant achievement. That experience, she suggested, has also helped prepare her emotionally for another major transition.
Now, as she prepares to become a mother, Samantha appears more comfortable with the idea that her priorities may change.
“I am truly excited, and really, I do believe it when everyone tells me, ‘Having a child changes your entire life.’ I think I’m ready for that change,” she said.
Why Motherhood Can Change How Women Define Success
Sonal Khangarot, a licensed rehabilitation counsellor and psychotherapist at The Answer Room, explained that becoming a parent can bring a significant shift in identity and priorities, particularly for mothers.
“Becoming a parent can activate a stronger need for emotional connection, caregiving, and a sense of responsibility, which naturally influences how one views work and success,” she told The Indian Express.
According to Khangarot, some women may begin reassessing what fulfilment means to them after becoming parents. Professional achievements may remain important, but they may increasingly seek a balance between career ambitions and family life.
She stressed that such a transition does not necessarily indicate reduced ambition.
“It’s important to remember that this transition isn’t about becoming less ambitious; rather, it’s about redefining ambition in a way that aligns with one’s evolving values, emotional needs, and sense of purpose,” Khangarot said.
The Pressure on Mothers to Keep Up Professionally
For women at the height of their careers, stepping away from work can come with additional pressure.
Counselling psychologist Athul Raj noted that in urban India, where professional momentum can be highly valued, maternity can sometimes feel like a disruption to a woman’s career trajectory.
At the same time, he said that a strong parent-child connection does not necessarily require a mother to be physically present every moment of the day.
According to Raj, what matters is attuned and emotionally responsive presence when a parent is with their child.
“When a mother is emotionally available, even in brief but consistent moments, that becomes the child’s emotional anchor,” he said.
Raj also discussed the importance of emotional connection during a child’s early years. He said that while children may not retain conscious memories of those earliest experiences, patterns involving safety, emotional responses and attachment can still be significant.
Samantha’s Changing Definition of Success
The idea of success can evolve considerably over the course of a career and personal life.
Khangarot pointed out that early professional ambition can often involve accepting every opportunity and remaining constantly available. Over time, however, people may become more conscious of the consequences of that pace.
“Early in our careers, success may mean saying yes to every opportunity, but over time many people realise that constantly being available can lead to burnout and resentment,” she explained.
Motherhood can further shift that calculation, particularly as parents become more aware of the limited nature of certain stages of childhood.
Khangarot said that societal expectations and the mental load associated with caregiving can also influence these decisions.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu Makes Space for a New Chapter
For Samantha, the transition comes after a period in which her relationship with work, achievement and identity has already undergone significant change.
Her myositis diagnosis forced her to pause and reconsider a life largely organised around performance and productivity. Now, as she prepares for motherhood, she appears to be approaching another major shift with a similar willingness to adapt.
Her comments also highlight an important distinction: stepping back from a career for a period does not necessarily mean giving up ambition. For some people, it can mean changing what ambition looks like and deciding which parts of life deserve greater attention at a particular stage.
For Samantha Ruth Prabhu, motherhood appears to be one such turning point—and she says she is ready for it.
