In a dynamic return to Telugu cinema, actress Ritu Varma embraces a double role in the upcoming film “Swag,” directed by Hasith Goli. Known for playing characters with a distinctive voice in various genres, from urban rom-coms to con-dramas, Ritu was taken aback by the depth and uniqueness of her characters in “Swag.” Set to release on October 4, the film promises to captivate audiences with its satire on gender dynamics, inheritance, and lineage, all cleverly interwoven into an engaging narrative.
In “Swag,” which is short for ‘Swaganika vamsam,’ Ritu Varma portrays two starkly contrasting characters that traverse different timelines. She plays the domineering queen Rukmini Devi from a historical era and a fierce civil engineer named Anubhuti in the present day. The dual roles offered Varma an opportunity to explore a range of emotions and characteristics, something she eagerly seized.
Reflecting on her role as Rukmini Devi, an authoritative queen who is less than receptive to the idea of male heirs, Ritu explains how the intricate detailing of the character helped her immerse into the role. References from historical queens of India and keen observations of Ramya Krishna’s portrayal of Sivagami in “Baahubali” were instrumental. “We worked on Rukmini Devi’s look and body language meticulously. She is adorned in regal attire, heavy jewelry, sports a distinctive unibrow, and wears colored lenses that accentuate her authoritative presence,” Ritu shares.
In contrast, Anubhuti’s character required a complete transformation. Depicted with a tanned look, unkempt hair, and casual attire typical of someone who spends substantial time at construction sites, Anubhuti is a spirited woman who confronts injustice head-on. “Anubhuti is fiery and asserts herself against any form of injustice. Both these characters, despite their strong personalities, are far removed from who I am in real life. I advocate equality but am generally soft-spoken and quiet,” says Ritu.
Her collaboration with Sree Vishnu in “Swag” marks their first film together since their debut as solo leads in the 2013 film “Prema Ishq Kaadhal.” Contradicting audience expectations, their characters in “Swag” are not romantically linked, a detail that added another layer of surprise for Ritu upon hearing the story.
Last seen in Telugu films “Varudu Kavalenu” and “Oke Oka Jeevitham” (also known in Tamil as “Kanam”), Ritu views “Swag” as a bold, experimental film that will further cement her presence in the industry. “To date, I am touched when people recognize and approach me, recalling scenes from films like ‘Pelli Choopulu,’ ‘Varudu Kavalenu,’ or my Tamil film ‘Kannum Kannum Kollai Adithal’ (‘Kanulu Kanulanu Dochayante’).
. I never planned on becoming an actress, but I am immensely grateful for all the recognition,” she remarks.
Ritu Varma’s filmography extends to both Telugu and Tamil cinemas, a position she finds advantageous. “It is a good space to be in. Although I don’t claim to receive an overwhelming number of scripts, finding interesting films still poses a challenge. I am thankful that filmmakers think of me for certain characters,” she states. With credits in projects like “Nitham Oru Vaanam,” “Modern Love Hyderabad,” and “Modern Love Chennai,” Ritu prefers to delve deep into the scripts to understand her characters thoroughly.
The comprehensive backstories and discussions with director Hasith Goli significantly contributed to her performance in “Swag.” “Hasith is very knowledgeable and provided me with more information than I expected. “Swag” has been made on a larger scale compared to his previous film ‘Raja Raja Chora,’ and he managed it with great confidence and grace. Every day after shooting, I would return home satisfied, knowing that I had done good work. It involved a mix of unlearning and relearning, and I have fond memories of working on this film.”
Further exciting projects are on Ritu’s horizon, including a Telugu web series for Disney Hotstar, described only as a story about a girl’s journey of self-discovery, and two Telugu films – one an entertainer and the other a murder mystery.
Given her unanticipated journey into acting, Ritu ponders little over what might have been had she not ventured into cinema. “I haven’t given it much thought. I hold an engineering degree, but cinema is my passion. Initially, I did not have long-term plans, but as time passed, I began to enjoy acting and developed a passion for it. Outside of acting, I enjoy painting and reading, with Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s ‘The Forest of Enchantments’ and ‘The Palace of Illusions’ among my favorites,” she concludes. “Reading and painting allow me to escape reality for a while, which I thoroughly enjoy.”
Published on September 30, 2024 at 04:48 pm IST in The Hindu MetroPlus, this article celebrates Ritu Varma’s evolving journey in the film industry, her remarkable performances, and her deep-rooted passion for storytelling.
