Samantha, an Indian actress, works predominantly in Telugu and Tamil film industries. She was born on 28 April 1987 and grew up in Pallavaram in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Born to Telugu and Malayali parents, she comes from a modest background and started modeling as a part-time job.

She started her career with Gautam Menon's Ye Maya Chesave and went on to make more than 40 movies in 11 years. She is best known for her roles in Eega, Mahanati, Mersal, 24, Dookudu, Rangasthalam, Super Deluxe, Oh! Baby and more. She is a recipient of several awards including four Filmfare Awards, two Nandi Awards, four South Indian International Movie Awards, and three CineMAA Awards. She has recently ventured into pan-Indian content as a part of the second season of the Amazon series, The Family Man.

She is a huge supporter of indigenous talent and homegrown fashion. She is also Telangana's handloom ambassador and promotes the region's weaving industry.

She also runs an NGO, Pratyusha Support, to provide medical support for women and children in 2012 as well as a progressive early learning school called Ekam, Early Learning Center.