“I was nervous about how the audience would respond to the song. Samantha’s supportive and encouraging words boosted my confidence,” Sreeleela said. In a reply to Samantha's post, she shared a message on her social media, writing, “With Oo Antava blessings,” a nod to Samantha's iconic song from "Pushpa: The Rise".
On being asked about her decision to perform an item number at the peak of her career, Sreeleela said, “I have done this song for a strong reason, despite rejecting similar offers earlier. You’ll understand my choice after December 5.”
Samantha's "Oo Antava", from the first installment of the Pushpa series, became a nationwide sensation for its bold choreography and her chemistry with Allu Arjun. For the sequel, director Sukumar reportedly considered Bollywood stars Shraddha Kapoor and Tripti Dimri for "Dabballu Padaathai". However, he ultimately chose Sreeleela for her exceptional dancing skills, crafting a high-energy number to match the film’s vibe.
With "Pushpa: The Rule" set to release soon, the buzz surrounding the song and Sreeleela’s performance continues to grow. Fans eagerly await its official release to see if it can recreate the magic of "Oo Antava".