Swathi Reddy (born 19 April 1987[1]) is an Indian actress and television presenter who predominantly works in Telugu films, along with Tamil and Malayalam films. Her nickname Colours Swathi comes from her stint in the Telugu television show Colours, which was telecast on Maa TV.

Swathi Reddy
Reddy at TeachAids launch in 2010
Born
Svetlana Reddy

(1987-04-19) 19 April 1987 (age 37)
NationalityIndian
Other namesColours Swathi
Occupations
  • Actress
  • television presenter
  • playback singer
  • voice actor
Years active2005–present
Spouse
Vikas Vasu
(m. 2018)

After playing supporting roles, she made her debut as a lead actress in the Tamil film Subramaniapuram (2008). Her role in the Telugu film Ashta Chamma (2008) earned her the Filmfare Award and Nandi Award for Best Actress.[2][3][4] She also worked as a dubbing artist, and a playback singer in a few films. Her other notable films include Aadavari Matalaku Arthale Verule (2007), Swamy Ra Ra (2013), Amen (2013), and Karthikeya (2014).

Early life and education

Swathi Reddy was born in Vladivostok, located in the southerly reaches of the Russian Far East in the erstwhile Soviet Union.[5] Her father, who was an officer in the Indian Navy, was training as a submariner in the Soviet Union when she was born. The Russian doctor who delivered her named her ‘Svetlana’ and later her mother changed it to 'Swathi'.[5] She has one elder brother named Siddharth.

Reddy's family moved to Mumbai and later to the Eastern Naval Command, Visakhapatnam, where she spent most of her childhood.[5] She was educated at St. Francis De Sales’ School in Visakhapatnam. While studying in 11th class, she moved to Hyderabad. She then enrolled at the St. Mary's College, Hyderabad and graduated in Biotechnology.

After her EAMCET, she ventured into television at the age of 17 by hosting a show called Colours. Due to a positive response, the show was further extended and moved to the primetime slot. She went on to present over 150 episodes.[5]

Career

Acting

After the completion of her first year of graduation, she got an offer to make her film debut in Krishna Vamsi's Danger (2005).[5] She was part of an ensemble cast and was one of the five leads. The film received mixed to positive reviews. Priyanka Pulla of fullhyd.com wrote, "Swati making her much-anticipated debut here, has a role somewhat akin to a single member in a Mexican wave - contributory, but not self-sufficient enough to be judged."[6]

After her second year of graduation, she did a supporting role in Aadavari Matalaku Ardhalu Verule (2007).[5] The film won her good acclaim.

After the completion of her graduation she signed two films.[5] In 2008, she debuted as a female lead in her first Tamil film Subramaniapuram. For her performance in Ashta Chamma(2008), she won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu and Nandi Award for Best Actress. She made her debut in Malayalam cinema with Amen (2013) which was a super hit.[7]

Other work

Swathi Reddy has been occasionally working as a dubbing artist and playback singer as well. In 2008, she had dubbed for actress Ileana in the film Jalsa (2008). In 2010, she gave her voice to an HIV/AIDS education animated software tutorial created by the nonprofit organization TeachAids.[8] In 2011, she turned playback singer, rendering her voice for two songs, "Unbelievable" and "A Square B Square", for the soundtrack albums of her own film Katha Screenplay Darsakatvam Appalaraju (2011) and 100% Love (2011), respectively. She has also appeared in an advertisement for "Cadbury's Dairy Milk".[9]

Personal life

Reddy married her boyfriend Vikas Vasu, a Malayali pilot, on 30 August 2018.[10]

Filmography

Year Title Role(s) Language Notes
2005 Danger Lakshmi Telugu Telugu debut; credited as "Colours" Swathi
2007 Aadavari Matalaku Ardhalu Verule Pooja/ Prasunaamba Telugu Credited as "Colours" Swathi
2008 Subramaniapuram Thulasi Tamil Tamil debut
Ashta Chamma Lavanya Telugu Credited as "Colours" Swathi
2009 Kalavaramaye Madilo Shreya Telugu credited as Swathi
2010 Kanimozhi Kanimozhi Tamil Cameo appearance
2011 Golconda High School Anjali Telugu Credited as Swathi
Katha Screenplay Darshakatvam Appalaraju Krishna Telugu credited as Swathi; also sang the song "Unbelievable"
Mirapakaay Train Passenger Telugu Cameo Appearance
Kandireega Bujji Telugu Cameo Appearance in the song "Gentleman"
Poraali Bharathi Tamil
2013 Amen Shoshanna Malayalam Malayalam debut
Swamy Ra Ra Swathi Telugu Also sang the song "Yo Yo Memu Antha. "
North 24 Kaatham Narayani Malayalam
Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara Renu Tamil
2014 Bangaru Kodipetta Bhanumati Pinnesetty Telugu
Mosayile Kuthira Meenukal Isa Malayalam
Vadacurry Naveena Tamil
Karthikeya Valli Telugu
2015 Aadu Oru Bheegara Jeeviyanu Pinki Malayalam Cameo appearance in the Climax portion of the movie
Double Barrel Laila/Babushka Malayalam
Yatchan Deepa Tamil
Tripura Tripura Telugu
2017 Yaakkai Kavitha Tamil
Thiri Swathi Tamil
London Babulu Suryakantham[11] Telugu
2019 Thrissur Pooram Veni Malayalam
2022 Panchathantram Roshini / Chitra Telugu Anthology film; Dual role, appears in Segments "Prelude" and "Leia - The purple cape Super hero"
[12]
2023 Month of Madhu Lekha Telugu

Short film

Year Title Language Notes
2023 The Soul Of Satya Telugu

Playback singer

Year Title Language Song(s)
2011 Katha Screenplay Darshakatvam Appalaraju Telugu "Unbelievable"
100% Love "A Square B Square"
2013 Swamy Ra Ra "Yo Yo Yo Memu Antha"

Dubbing artist/voice actor

Year Title Language For
2008 Jalsa Telugu Ileana

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Film Result
2009 Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu Ashta Chamma Won
2009 Nandi Award for Best Actress Won
2009 Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil Subramaniapuram Nominated
2009 Vijay Award for Best Debut Actress Nominated
2012 Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer – Telugu "A Square B Square" from 100% Love Nominated
2012 SIIMA Award for Best Female Playback Singer – Telugu Nominated
2024 Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Telugu Month of Madhu Nominated

References

  1. ^ "Happy Birthday Swathi: From Ashta Chamma to Karthikeya, 5 films of the actress that prove why she is an extraordinary performer". The Times of India. 19 April 2020. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  2. ^ T. Lalith Singh (25 December 2003). "Colourful presence". The Hindu. HYDERABAD. Archived from the original on 9 January 2004. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
  3. ^ Swathi’s big leap in Kollywood. sify.com (5 January 2010).
  4. ^ Special Correspondent (17 March 2010). "Nandi Award for Ravi Teja, Swati". The Hindu. HYDERABAD. Retrieved 24 August 2013. {{cite news}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  5. ^ a b c d e f g "Interview with Swati". Idlebrain.com. 14 January 2009.
  6. ^ Pulla, Priyanka. "Danger Review". fullhyd.com. Retrieved 21 August 2022.
  7. ^ Malayalam cinema – First Half of 2013 Progress Report. Sify. 6 July 2013
  8. ^ "Star touch to animated film on HIV/AIDS". The New Indian Express. 27 November 2010. Archived from the original on 18 December 2013. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
  9. ^ Cadbury DAIRYMILK AD NAYE RISHTA KA Shubh Aarambh Two sisters AD. Youtube
  10. ^ "Swathi-Vikas wedding: 7 adorable pictures that will leave you in awe | The Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  11. ^ "Swathi Reddy bags next flick 'London Babulu'". The Times of India. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  12. ^ "'Panchathantram', a magical tale of the modern world". Telangana Today. 14 October 2021.