I feel lucky that Malayalis have accepted me

Swathi Reddy made a remarkable entry into Mollywood, shooting her killer smile as the daring Shoshanna in Lijo Jose Pellissery’s Amen, two years ago. Swathi has been roped in to play a key character yet again in the director’s next film, Double Barrel. A no-nonsense actress who doesn’t believe in sticking to tried and tested turfs, Swathi speaks to us about her latest project, being neurotic about delivering her lines, challenging herself and more:
The pretentious and sexy Laila The films I picked up so far in Malayalam have all been those which I could say an easy yes to.But each of them are poles apart as far as the characters are concerned. My next film Double Barrel will be more like the visuals of a comic book, with all the characters given a funky get-up. The film is not about stars, but about characters, and each of us have a small share in the pie.
My character Laila is pretentious and acts sexy so I had to be someone I am not. But the role had a funky twist to it, which got me instantly interested. I was also kicked about wearing a bob and sporting a cigarette in my hand. Most of my scenes were with Jammy aka Arya, with whom I was simultaneously shooting, for the Tamil movie Yatchan. So it was an easy environment to work in. But the film demanded an in-your-face performance, with a bit of exaggeration. The heat in Goa also got us pretty exhausted.
Lijo is a man of few words This is my second film with director Lijo, who is a man of few words. Often, you have to go to him and ask whether something is fine or not, as he would just mumble something and walk away. For Amen I must have spoken to him for three times other than for work! Nevertheless, we were in touch after Amen, and whenever I got an offer I used to discuss it with him or Fahadh. There was a bit more of ease this time. But Lijo is very straightforward and won’t even sugarcoat things for you. If he doesn’t get it right, he will just ask, ‘Are you not interested?’ For me, that’s easier than having to read between lines, trying to figure out what the director meant.
All the stars gave each other space I don’t know much about Malayalam cinema and generally look it up only when my friends say a particular movie is great. Since I live in Hyderabad, I am cut off from it all and don’t get to hear any gossip. All I care about is my work. But a remarkable thing about Double Barrel was that everyone in the cast has been around for long and knew to give each other space, and also mind their own business post the shoot. Isha (Isha Sharvani) would go do her yoga, Indran (Indrajith) would be with his wife and kids, the athletic Arya would probably go for a swim, and I would crash owing to my lack of stamina.
I overdo my Malayalam lines I am pretty psychotic when it comes to my lines. I am comfortable with my mother tongue Telugu and speak Tamil as well. As I am nervous about Malayalam, I overdo it to the extent that I still remember my lines from Amen. I don’t know how you guys roll your tongue with all the pazham and mazha words cropping up frequently. I understand the Malayalam my friends speak but I think Malayalis speak fast; only in sad films do they speak slowly (laughs).
Fahadh called me fat! I didn’t know that Fahadh has mentioned me as his favourite co-star. But I guess he chose me as I’m far removed from the industry and thus a safe option! On a personal note I really like Fahadh and feel quite affectionate about him, for no reason. But working with him is not easy as he can be really mean. I remember him calling me fat, making fun of Telugu films and I had briefly even stopped talking to him. But I can say that we were like two guys when we worked on Amen and North 24 Kaatham. It’s not that we’re great friends, but there is the right professional and personal chemistry. He’s also a lot like me. I know that he has this bold image, while he is actually a conservative mama’s boy and a normal Malayali who wants to go back to a quiet home post work.
I can’t diet I am not into dieting or extreme fitness regimes as that would turn me into a grumpy monster. I eat food served on the set and try to follow a healthy pattern. I focus a lot on mental fitness, which is taken for granted in our society. I work with a lot of different people, and staying true to yourself and being who you are is also a challenge now. That said, I feel lucky that people have accepted me as I am and the way I look.