TV
Samantha Ruth Prabhu rang in her 38th birthday on April 28, 2025, and one fan took celebrations to a divine level—quite literally.
A die-hard admirer from Andhra Pradesh, Tenali Sandeep, marked the special day by celebrating at a temple he built in the actress’s honour at Alapadu village in Bapatla district.
A Temple for the Star
Tenali Sandeep, a self-proclaimed devotee of Samantha, built the “Temple of Samantha” three years ago as a tribute to the actress's talent and philanthropic nature. This year, he celebrated her birthday by cutting cakes and feeding orphans at the temple premises. Videos and images from the celebration have gone viral on social media, drawing admiration and curiosity alike.
The temple features two busts of Samantha—one in a shimmering golden tone and another dressed in a traditional green and red saree. The space was adorned with wooden panels, colourful streamers, and fresh flowers for the celebration, making it a festive and sacred homage.
Devotion Beyond Fandom
Speaking to the press during the celebrations, Sandeep said, “My name is Tenali Sandeep. I hail from Alapadu gramam in Bapatla, Andhra Pradesh. I am a huge admirer of Samantha garu. I have been celebrating her birthday for three years now. I also put up this temple then. Today, the temple has turned 3. Every year, I ensure I feed children and cut a cake on the day. Her philanthropy inspires me, and I want to follow in her footsteps.”
The heartwarming celebration included a birthday cake-cutting ceremony attended by a group of children, followed by a meal arranged for them—all in the name of the actress.
Celebrity Temples: A Growing Trend
In Southern India, especially in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, fans often idolize film stars in ways that transcend traditional fandom. Temples have previously been built in honour of cinema legends like Rajinikanth, NTR, Khushbu Sundar, Sridevi, and Nayanthara. Bollywood actors such as Amitabh Bachchan and Sonu Sood also have temples dedicated to them.
Samantha’s Upcoming Projects
On the professional front, Samantha was last seen in Citadel: Honey Bunny, the Indian prequel to the international series Citadel, where she starred alongside Varun Dhawan.
She will next be seen in the Telugu film Maa Inti Bangaram, which she is also producing under her banner, Tralala Moving Pictures. Additionally, she will appear in Raj & DK’s upcoming Netflix series Rakt Brahmand: The Bloody Kingdom.
