After a hiatus of 13 years, Sameera Reddy is set to make her comeback to the silver screen with the horror-thriller film, Chimni, slated for release by the end of 2025. The actress, who was last seen in the Kannada film Varadhanayaka (2013) and Tezz (2012), credits her son, Hans, for inspiring her return to acting.
Sameera revealed that her son's reaction to her 2008 film Race played a significant role in her decision to return to the film industry. A year ago, Hans watched Race and asked her why she wasn't acting anymore, remarking that she looked different now. Sameera explained that she had been busy taking care of him and his sister, Nyra. However, her son encouraged her to reconsider her decision to stay away from showbiz. In fact, he told her not to worry and that he would take care of his sister.
The actress, who made her Bollywood debut in 2002 with Maine Dil Tujhko Diya, mentioned that the encouragement from her family and the short filming schedule of Chimni also influenced her decision. She wrapped up her part in the movie in just three weeks, which was a welcome change from the months-long schedules she was accustomed to.
Sameera's comeback film, Chimni, is directed by Gagan Puri and is her first venture into the horror genre. Although she was a narrator in Darna Mana Hai (2004), Chimni marks her first full-fledged role in a horror film. The novelty of the genre excited her. Sharing a motion poster on Instagram, Sameera captioned it: “You can't handle the truth… I'm back!! Please show me some love on this interesting project that will be coming soon! Teaser releases 10th July”.
Reflecting on her experience of facing the camera after more than a decade, Sameera admitted that she was initially nervous. Despite people on set calling her a veteran, she felt like she was starting from scratch. However, the moment she heard "action," the actor within her awakened, and she performed according to the director's vision.
Sameera has also observed the changes in the film industry over the past decade. She noted the advancements in technology and how filmmaking has become more efficient. She recalled having to repeat scenes multiple times for different angles during the filming of Musafir (2004), whereas today, steadicam systems have streamlined the process.
During her time away from cinema, Sameera has been active on social media, where she shares content about parenting, body positivity, and mental health. She started exploring the medium around five years ago during the COVID-19 pandemic. She uses her platform to address issues that many women face, such as challenges with kids, in-laws, aging, and weight. Sameera aims to normalize these issues and connect with her followers by sharing her own experiences.
Sameera believes that the Hindi film industry has evolved for the better and that there is now more room for newcomers to experiment with unconventional films. If she were a newcomer today, she would choose unique and eccentric films rather than playing it safe.
