In the world of cinema, Ritu Varma has long been known for portraying strong, assertive characters who refuse to be sidelined, whether it’s in an urban romantic comedy or a con-drama. Yet, the actress herself was taken aback when director Hasith Goli shared the detailed narrative of her latest project. The upcoming Telugu film ‘Swag’, set to release on October 4, stands as a unique take on traditional and modern societal norms. Short for ‘Swaganika vamsam,’ ‘Swag’ unfolds over different timelines, featuring Ritu Varma in a dual role: as the enigmatic queen Rukmini Devi in the past and the tenacious civil engineer Anubhuti in the present.
Settling into an interview session in Hyderabad after wrapping up a shooting schedule in Rajahmundry, Ritu recalls, “I liked Hasith’s first film, Raja Raja Chora, and thought he would narrate a romcom. Nothing prepared me for what I was going to hear.” She elaborates that ‘Swag’ is an entertaining satire addressing gender dynamics, inheritance, and lineage, offering her a refreshing new challenge.
The film, which delves into concepts of matrilineal and patrilineal societies, presented Ritu with an opportunity to explore new creative territory. She enthuses, “It felt like a breath of fresh air and came to me when I was eager to sign a Telugu film.”
Playing the role of Rukmini Devi, Ritu portrays a commanding queen who doesn’t favor male heirs. To prepare for the role, director Hasith Goli gave her several references to historical queens of India, and she paid close attention to Ramya Krishna’s portrayal of Sivagami in ‘Baahubali.’ “We worked on Rukmini Devi’s look and body language. She is dressed regally with jewelry, sports a unibrow, and wears colored lenses that heighten her authoritative demeanour,” Ritu explains.
In stark contrast, her modern-day character Anubhuti is a civil engineer who spends a lot of time at construction sites. Ritu’s portrayal of Anubhuti involves a tanned look, messy clothes, and unkempt hair, suitable for a professional who often gets her hands dirty. “Anubhuti is fiery and asserts herself whenever she encounters any injustice. Both these characters are far removed from who I am in real life. I am all for equality, but I am soft-spoken and quiet,” she confesses.
Interestingly, ‘Swag’ reunites Ritu Varma with her ‘Prema Ishq Kaadhal’ co-star, Sree Vishnu, though this time their characters are not romantically involved. “This was also a surprise when I heard the story,” she recalls.
Ritu was last seen in Telugu films like ‘Varudu Kavalenu’ and ‘Oke Oka Jeevitham’ (also known as ‘Kanam’ in Tamil). ‘Swag,’ she believes, is both entertaining and experimental, offering her a platform to further cement her presence in the industry.
. “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’). I never planned to be an actress, and I am grateful for all this recognition,” she says, with gratitude in her voice.
Ritu’s acting portfolio includes both Telugu and Tamil films, a linguistic diversity she cherishes. “It is a good space to be in. I will not claim that I get too many scripts; it is still a challenge to find interesting films. But I am thankful that filmmakers think of me for certain characters,” she admits. She also highlights the importance of reading scripts to understand her characters’ thought processes better. Her involvement in films like ‘Nitham Oru Vaanam’, ‘Modern Love Hyderabad’, and ‘Modern Love Chennai’ further attests to her versatility.
The thorough backstories and extensive discussions with Hasith Goli for ‘Swag’ enriched her performance. “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. After the shoot, I would go home satisfied at having done good work. It involved a lot of unlearning and learning, and I have happy memories of working on this film,” she shares.
In addition to ‘Swag,’ Ritu is currently filming for a Telugu web series for Disney Hotstar, though details remain under wraps. “It is about a girl on a journey of self-discovery,” she reveals, leaving us intrigued. Future ventures include two Telugu films: one an entertainer and the other a murder mystery.
Though she never planned on becoming an actress, Ritu has no regrets about her career path. “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,” she muses. When she’s not in front of the camera, she immerses herself in painting or reading, listing Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s “The Forest of Enchantments” and “The Palace of Illusions” among her favorite reads. “Reading and painting help me escape reality for a while, and I enjoy that too,” she concludes.
Published – September 30, 2024, 04:48 pm IST
The Hindu MetroPlus / The Hindu Cinema Plus / Telugu cinema / Tamil cinema / entertainment (general)
