Story: Swag stands for ‘Swaganika Vamsaaniki Swagatham’ (Welcome to the Swaganika Family) and spans across three different time periods: the 1500s, the 1970s, and the present day. The story focuses on a royal family struggling with patriarchal pressures over centuries. It begins in 1551, with a king desperately searching for a male heir to secure his dynasty’s future. By the 1970s, the family is in turmoil due to the lack of male heirs, causing tension within. In the present day, SI Bhavabhuthi, a firm believer in male supremacy, discovers a family plot centered around Singa, a descendant who holds the key to the family’s future. The movie delves into power struggles, with gender politics playing a central role as characters challenge the deep-rooted norms of patriarchy.
Swag: A Performance-Driven Film
The highlight of Swag is undoubtedly the versatile performance of hero Sree Vishnu. Known for his dedication to his craft, Sree Vishnu takes on four distinct roles in this film, portraying Vibhuti, Singareni, Yayati, and Bhavabhuti with a mastery that leaves no room for criticism. His ability to seamlessly transition between characters exhibiting traits like cruelty, selfishness, chauvinism, cowardice, and ultimately, the morality, showcases his remarkable range as an actor. Sree Vishnu could carried these roles with such grace, particularly excelling in Vibhuti’s role.
Another performance that stands out is from Harshi Roshan, a talented teenage artist known for his earlier roles. In Swag, he delivers the best performance of his career, fully showcasing his extraordinary acting skills. His portrayal of a teenager going through complex emotions is both convincing and memorable.
Meera Jasmine makes a welcome return to the screen, bringing with her not only elegance but also a certain gravitas that elevates the film. Her dialogue delivery and her moral compass add depth to the story, proving once again why she’s a seasoned performer. As the saying goes, ‘aging like fine wine’ Meera Jasmine has indeed become more refined beauty now.
Swag: Pure Telugu Dialogue Elevates the Story
The film’s most impressive aspect is its dialogue. Written by Hasith Goli, the Telugu diction is both rich and pure, adding authenticity to the narrative. Hasith Goli’s use of traditional Telugu words, paired with a modern storyline, creates a unique blend that works surprisingly well. The marketing push around the film’s pure Telugu dialogues is justified, as the language and the writing are among the film’s strongest elements.
Pacing and Plot Flaws Weaken the Impact
Despite these strong performances and rich dialogues, Swag suffers from significant pacing issues. While some scenes move too quickly, crucial moments feel rushed, leaving the audience confused and disconnected from the story. The fast-paced nature of the film also hinders Sree Vishnu’s Bhavabhuti character, as the dialogue delivery is sometimes too rapid to fully grasp the emotions behind it.
The film’s most glaring weakness lies in its handling of the plot, particularly the gender dynamics. The central question of why patriarchal systems are valued over matriarchal in the past is raised but not properly explored or addressed, leaving viewers unsatisfied. A pivotal scene, where leadership is handed over in a patriarchal society, lacks the emotional and narrative weight it should carry. This battle of genders, while timely, feels underdeveloped and poorly written.
Underutilized Characters
Another missed opportunity is the role of Ritu Varma. Her character is underutilised and fails to have a strong presence in the film, especially in the climax where the focus remains on Sree Vishnu’s characters. Her scenes could have been written with more depth, which would have allowed her to shine more in the narrative.
Should you watch it? Yes. For the periodic screenplay, for performances and for crazy story.
Swag boasts excellent performances, particularly by Sree Vishnu and Harshi Roshan, along with beautifully crafted Telugu dialogues. However, the movie is let down by its weak pacing, underdeveloped gender themes, and an inconsistent plot that prevents it from achieving its full potential. While the acting shines, the story needed a more solid foundation to truly resonate with the audience.
