Actor Samantha has opened up about how she continues to face the stigma of her divorce from actor Naga Chaitanya even after three years. “When a woman goes through a divorce, there’s a lot of shame and stigma attached. I get a lot of comments saying, ‘second hand’, ‘used’, and ‘wasted life’,” she said.

The actor said that being a woman, she was subjected to more judgement: “Unfortunately, we live in a society which is so patriarchal that anytime something goes wrong, a woman gets subjected to… I’m not saying men don’t, men do, but a woman gets subjected to a lot more judgment and a lot more shaming, not just online, even in real life. You’re pushed into a corner where you are supposed to feel like you’re a failure that you were once married and now you’re not.”

The 37-year-old told Galatta India that a lot of lies were spread about her post the divorce. “I remember having this conversation with myself when things were really crappy and absolute lies were being spread. There were many times when I wanted to come out and say, ‘This is not true, let me tell you the truth’. [But then I told myself] Can you not live with the fact that your friends and your family know the truth? And it’s okay.” The actor said while she wanted to be “loved and validated and appreciated” all her life, she has finally learnt to let go: “I still haven’t said anything. So, whoever believes whatever they believe, it’s up to them. I’m very happy right now. I’ve grown so much, and I am doing incredible work, and I’m looking forward to the next stage in my life.”

Meanwhile, preparations are in full swing for Naga Chaitanya’s upcoming wedding with actor Sobhita Dhulipala on December 4, which will take place at Annapurna Studios (Hyderabad). Reportedly, the couple’s wedding ceremony, in accordance with the Telugu Brahmin traditions, will be an elaborate eight-hour-long affair. The rituals will include Kanyaadanam (giving away the bride), Mangalsutra Dharanam (tying the scared thread) and Saptapadi (seven vows around the fire). The expected celebs in the guest list include the Daggubati and Mega (Chiranjeevi) families, actor Mahesh Babu’s family, director SS Rajamouli and Bollywood actors Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan. There are also reports that OTT platforms are negotiating with the couple for exclusive streaming rights.