In an exciting confluence of heritage and modernity, actor Ritu Varma takes on a groundbreaking dual role in the upcoming Telugu film Swag, short for “Swaganika vamsam”. The movie delves into themes of gender dynamics, inheritance, and lineage, offering a fresh perspective on traditionally accepted norms. Swag, set to release on October 4, features Ritu Varma portraying characters from two different timelines: the authoritative queen Rukmini Devi in the bygone era and the resolute civil engineer Anubhuti in contemporary times.
Ritu Varma, known for her roles in urban rom-coms and con-dramas, sat down for an interview in Hyderabad after returning from a rigorous shooting schedule in Rajahmundry. “I admired Hasith Goli’s first film, Raja Raja Chora, and expected he would narrate a rom-com. Nothing prepared me for what I was going to hear,” she confessed, describing Swag as an entertaining satire that explores complex social themes.
The film investigates matrilineal and patrilineal societies, granting Ritu Varma the opportunity to play markedly different roles, an experience she found enriching. “It felt like a breath of fresh air and came to me when I was eager to sign a Telugu film,” she said. As queen Rukmini Devi, Ritu embraces the role of a dominant monarch who shows little favor to male heirs. To perfect her character, Hasith Goli provided her with references of India’s historical queens, and she drew inspiration from Ramya Krishna’s portrayal of Sivagami in the Baahubali series. “We worked meticulously on Rukmini Devi’s look and body language. She is adorned regally with jewelry, sports a unibrow, and wears colored lenses, all of which accentuate her commanding presence,” the actress elaborated.
On the other end of the spectrum, her modern-day character Anubhuti is portrayed with a tanned complexion, messy attire, and tousled hair, befitting a civil engineer who spends substantial time on construction sites. Anubhuti is fiery and stands up against injustice, a far cry from the soft-spoken and quiet Ritu Varma in real life. “I am all for equality but by nature, I am soft spoken and reserved,” she noted.
Swag represents a reunion of sorts for Ritu Varma and Sree Vishnu, who both debuted as solo leads in the 2013 film Prema Ishq Kaadhal. Interestingly, their characters in Swag are not romantically linked, a departure from typical casting choices and a surprise for Ritu upon hearing the story.
Ritu’s most recent appearances in Telugu cinema include Varudu Kavalenu and Oke Oka Jeevitham (known as Kanam in Tamil).
. She considers Swag to be both entertaining and experimental, a film that will solidify her presence in the industry. “To date, I am touched when people recall scenes from Pelli Choopulu, Varudu… or my Tamil film Kannum Kannum Kollai Adithal (Kanulu Kanulanu Dochayante). Acting was never my plan, and I am grateful for the recognition,” she shared.
Ritu Varma has made her mark in both Telugu and Tamil films, and she acknowledges the challenges in finding intriguing scripts. “It is still a challenge to find interesting films. But I am thankful that filmmakers think of me for certain characters,” she admitted. She recently acted in projects like Nitham Oru Vaanam and the series Modern Love Hyderabad and Modern Love Chennai. For Swag, detailed backstories and extensive discussions with Hasith Goli were instrumental. “Hasith is knowledgeable and provided more information than I needed. Swag is grander in scale compared to Raja Raja Chora, and he directed with confidence and grace,” she recalled.
Presently, Ritu is working on a Telugu web series for Disney Hotstar, centered on a girl’s journey of self-discovery, though further details remain under wraps. Additionally, she has two Telugu films lined up—a light-hearted entertainer and a gripping murder mystery.
Reflecting on her unexpected acting career, Ritu said, “I have an engineering degree but cinema is my passion. Initially, I had no long-term plans but I gradually began enjoying acting.” Off-camera, she immerses herself in painting and reading, with Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s works among her favorites. “Painting and reading offer a temporary escape from reality,” she remarked.
Ritu Varma’s departure from her usual roles to embrace complex characters in Swag promises to be a refreshing and thought-provoking cinematic experience. The film’s exploration of gender dynamics and societal lineage marks an exciting addition to Telugu cinema, and audiences eagerly await its release.
