In the ever-evolving landscape of Telugu cinema, an intriguing new film is about to make its impact. The movie, titled “Swag” (an acronym for ‘Swaganika Vamsam’), promises an engaging blend of entertainment and social commentary. The spotlight is firmly on the talented Ritu Varma, who has consistently portrayed strong and spirited characters in her illustrious career. Yet, even for Ritu, the narrative of “Swag” was a revelation.
As the anticipation builds ahead of its October 4 release, Ritu Varma, fresh from a demanding shoot in Rajahmundry, sat down for an insightful interview in Hyderabad. Having admired director Hasith Goli’s previous work, “Raja Raja Chora,” Ritu was expecting another romantic comedy. “Nothing prepared me for what I was going to hear,” she admits. Instead, she describes “Swag” as an entertaining satire on gender dynamics, inheritance, and lineage, a story woven through dual timelines with Ritu playing two distinct roles—queen Rukmini Devi of the past and present-day civil engineer Anubhuti.
The narrative of “Swag” delves deep into matrilineal and patrilineal societal structures, a subject rarely explored in mainstream cinema. “It felt like a breath of fresh air,” Ritu explains, “and came to me at a time when I was eager to sign a Telugu film.” This dual role presented an extraordinary challenge and opportunity for Ritu to push her boundaries as an actress.
As Rukmini Devi, Ritu Varma embodies a formidable queen who fiercely opposes male heirs. To bring authenticity to her role, Ritu and Hasith Goli drew inspiration from historical queens of India, including diligent observations of Ramya Krishna’s portrayal of Sivagami in the blockbuster “Baahubali.” Meticulous effort went into crafting Rukmini Devi’s regal look, complete with elaborate jewellery, a unibrow, and distinctive coloured lenses that underscore her commanding presence.
In stark contrast, her second character, Anubhuti, is a fiery civil engineer with a no-nonsense attitude towards injustice, depicted with messy clothing and unkempt hair to reflect her time spent on construction sites. “Both these characters are far removed from who I am in real life,” Ritu admits. “I am all for equality, but I am soft-spoken and quiet.”
“Swag” sees Ritu sharing screen space with actor Sree Vishnu, reuniting after their respective solo lead debuts in the 2013 film “Prema Ishq Kaadhal.” Interestingly, their characters in “Swag” do not have a romantic relationship, which was another surprising element for Ritu when she first heard the story.
Ritu’s previous appearances in Telugu films, like “Varudu Kavalenu” and “Oke Oka Jeevitham” (released as “Kanam” in Tamil), have helped her carve a niche in the industry.
. Despite not having planned a career in acting, she expresses gratitude for the recognition and opportunities she’s received. “To date, I am touched when people come up and talk to me, recalling scenes from “Pelli Choopulu,” “Varudu Kavalenu,” or my Tamil film “Kannum Kannum Kollai Adithal” (“Kanulu Kanulanu Dochayante”).”
Ritu’s portfolio extends to both Telugu and Tamil films, a space she finds gratifying despite the challenges of finding compelling scripts. “Filmmakers think of me for certain characters,” she says. Her approach of reading scripts thoroughly to comprehend her characters’ psyche is evident in her performances.
Her collaboration with Hasith Goli on “Swag” was particularly enlightening. “Hasith is knowledgeable and gave me more information than I asked for. “Swag” has been made on a larger scale than “Raja Raja Chora” and he handled the film with confidence and grace. Every day of shooting left me satisfied with the work I had done, filled with happy memories.”
Currently, Ritu is also working on a Telugu web series for Disney Hotstar, though details remain undisclosed. “It is about a girl on a journey of self-discovery,” she reveals. Additionally, she has two upcoming Telugu films lined up, one an entertainer and the other a murder mystery.
Reflecting on her unplanned entry into acting, Ritu reveals, “I have not given it much thought. I have an engineering degree but cinema is what I love. Initially, I had no long-term plans but gradually, I began enjoying acting and became passionate about my work.” Off-camera, she finds solace in painting and reading, with works by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, like “The Forest of Enchantments” and “The Palace of Illusions,” among her favourites. “Reading and painting help me escape reality for a while and I enjoy that too.”
“Swag” promises to be a unique addition to Telugu cinema, highlighting issues of gender dynamics and inheritance while providing thorough entertainment. With Ritu Varma leading the charge, audiences can expect a film that is as thought-provoking as it is engaging.
