For the first time in her decade-long career, Samantha Ruth Prabhu signed a special song titled Oo Antava which featured in Allu Arjun's Pushpa: The Rise (2021). The song came months after her separation from Naga Chaitanya. While the actress drew appreciation for her sexy and bold avatar, a section of people trolled her for making a satire on the male gaze. In the third episode of Koffee With Karan 7, Samantha reacted to the trolling and why she chose to sign Oo Antava.
When Karan Johar, the host of the show, asked Samantha whether Oo Antava was "a rebellious move, a strategic one or you felt, "F**k" it, I'll do it," the actress said, "The third one. I mean why not. I loved the tune, I loved the song and I loved it because it was a satire on the male gaze. I know I got a lot of criticism for pandering to the male gaze while making a satire on the male gaze."
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She further added, "But my logic was who else can satire the male gaze except for a nautch girl or an actor who has a wide experience or wide range of the male gaze. Only a nautch girl or I can satire the male gaze. As an actor, you use your body to display a wide range of emotions. This was to make a statement. I don't think the problem was getting me into the character."
Oo Antava continues to be a popular party number. Its Hindi version is titled Oo Bolega Ya Oo Oo Bolega.
(Source: Koffee With Karan 7)
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