Hours after Samantha Ruth Prabhu on Friday issued a strong statement condemning slanderous rumours about her having affairs and abortions, director Gunasekhar's daughter Neelima Guna has said that the actress was decided on going for pregnancy in the second half of 2021 just months before she and Naga Chaitanya announced their divorce in a shocking turn of events.

Speaking to The NewsMinute, Neelima Guna said that the 'Majili' actress told Gunasekhar to complete the shooting of 'Shaakuntalam' by August because she would be getting busy with planning a family after that. It was only after the 'Okkadu' director assured her that the shoot of 'Shaakuntalam' would be finished fast that the 'Jaanu' actress came on board, Neelima Guna claimed.

This is the first non-anonymous statement from an industry insider and someone who has worked with Samantha. Neelima Guna is a budding producer and her comments will now be quoted widely to buttress Samantha's side of the story.