Samantha Ruth Prabhu backs Akhil Akkineni's 'Lenin' with blockbuster wish
Synopsis
Samantha Ruth Prabhu publicly backed former brother-in-law Akhil Akkineni's action film 'Lenin' on Instagram, calling it a blockbuster in the making. The gesture underscores an unusually warm post-divorce dynamic — and comes as Samantha navigates a landmark personal milestone: her first pregnancy with filmmaker husband Raj Nidimoru.
Key Takeaways
Samantha Ruth Prabhu shared the trailer of Akhil Akkineni's upcoming film 'Lenin' on her Instagram Stories , calling it a blockbuster.
Akhil Akkineni publicly thanked Samantha on his own Instagram handle.
Samantha was previously married to Akhil's elder brother Naga Chaitanya from 2017 until their separation in October 2021 .
Samantha married filmmaker Raj Nidimoru on 1 December 2025 ; the couple reportedly met on the sets of 'The Family Man 2' .
Samantha confirmed her first pregnancy at the success meet of 'Maa Inti Bangaaram' and announced a maternity break.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu has publicly extended her support to former brother-in-law and actor Akhil Akkineni, sharing the trailer of his upcoming action entertainer 'Lenin' on her Instagram Stories and declaring it already has 'blockbuster vibes'. The gesture, warm and unambiguous, signals that the two families continue to share cordial ties despite the well-documented changes in their personal lives.
The Instagram Moment
Samantha uploaded the 'Lenin' trailer to her Instagram Stories, accompanying it with a heartfelt note. 'Wishing Lenin, Akhil Akkineni and the whole team the very best. Big blockbuster vibes already,' she wrote. Akhil responded promptly on his own handle: 'Thank you so much Sam...my team and me really appreciate your wishes,' adding three folded-hands emojis. The exchange drew immediate attention from fans of both stars.
Family Ties and Their Evolution
Samantha was previously married to actor Naga Chaitanya — Akhil's elder brother — in a widely celebrated ceremony in 2017. The couple announced their separation in October 2021. Both have since moved forward: Naga Chaitanya wed actress Sobhita Dhulipala on 4 December 2024 in a traditional ceremony, while Samantha married filmmaker Raj Nidimoru on 1 December 2025. The couple reportedly met on the sets of the Amazon Prime Video series 'The Family Man 2'.
Samantha's New Chapter
Samantha Ruth Prabhu is now expecting her first child with husband Raj Nidimoru. She confirmed the pregnancy at the success meet of her recent release 'Maa Inti Bangaaram', announcing she would step back from work temporarily. 'After Maa Inti Bangaaram, I will have to take a small break, given my condition. I'll have to take maternity leave. After that, I'll be back with another film for my fans,' she said. The actress, known for films such as 'Yashoda' and 'Kushi', has been one of Telugu cinema's most bankable stars over the past decade.
About 'Lenin'
Akhil Akkineni's 'Lenin' is being positioned as an action entertainer, with the trailer generating considerable buzz online ahead of its release. Samantha's endorsement — given her massive social media following — is expected to amplify the film's visibility further. The project marks another high-profile outing for Akhil, who has been building his filmography steadily in Telugu cinema.
Point of View
Given her social reach, but the subtext is the story. Meanwhile, Samantha's own trajectory — pregnancy, a new marriage, a maternity break after a decade of near-continuous work — represents a pivot that her fanbase will watch closely. Whether 'Lenin' capitalises on the momentum is Akhil's test; whether Samantha's return post-maternity sustains her box-office pull will be a bigger one.
NationPress
10 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Samantha Ruth Prabhu share the 'Lenin' trailer?
Samantha shared the trailer of 'Lenin' on her Instagram Stories to extend her best wishes to actor Akhil Akkineni and the film's team. She described the project as already giving 'blockbuster vibes'.
How is Samantha Ruth Prabhu related to Akhil Akkineni?
Samantha was previously married to Akhil's elder brother, actor Naga Chaitanya, from 2017 until they announced their separation in October 2021. Akhil is therefore her former brother-in-law.
Is Samantha Ruth Prabhu pregnant?
Yes. Samantha confirmed her first pregnancy at the success meet of her film 'Maa Inti Bangaaram'. She is expecting her first child with husband and filmmaker Raj Nidimoru, whom she married on 1 December 2025.
Who is Raj Nidimoru and how did he meet Samantha?
Raj Nidimoru is a filmmaker, one half of the directing duo Raj and DK. He and Samantha reportedly met while working on the Amazon Prime Video series 'The Family Man 2'. They married on 1 December 2025.
What is Akhil Akkineni's film 'Lenin' about?
'Lenin' is an upcoming action entertainer starring Akhil Akkineni. The film's trailer has generated notable online buzz, and Samantha's public endorsement is expected to boost its pre-release visibility further.
