# Swathi Reddy (స్వాతి రెడ్డి)
**Swathi Reddy** (స్వాతి రెడ్డి; born 1987 in [Vladivostok](https://www.edgepedia.org/vladivostok), Primorsky Krai, Russia) is an Indian actress and television presenter known by the nickname **Colours Swathi**, who works mainly in [Telugu cinema](https://www.edgepedia.org/telugu-cinema) along with Tamil and Malayalam films.[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3763970/bio/) She first became a household name in Telugu households as the anchor of the chat show *Colours* on Maa TV, then moved into films, where her role as Lavanya in *Ashta Chamma* (2008) brought her the [Filmfare Award for Best Actress](https://www.edgepedia.org/filmfare-award-for-best-actress) – Telugu and the Nandi Award for Best Actress.[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3763970/bio/)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1987, Vladivostok, Primorsky Krai, Russia; birth name Svetlana, changed to Swati by her mother[2](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Swathi-Reddy/movies) • [3](https://www.idlebrain.com/celeb/interview/swati.html) |
| Known as | "Colours Swathi", from anchoring the Maa TV chat show *Colours* (over 150 episodes)[3](https://www.idlebrain.com/celeb/interview/swati.html) • [4](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/movie-details/news-interviews/im-glad-i-have-no-godfather-swati/articleshow/7065556.cms) |
| Film debut | Supporting role in Krishna Vamsi's *Danger* (2005); Tamil debut in *Subramaniapuram* (2008)[5](https://telugu.samayam.com/telugu-movies/cinema-news/actress-colors-swathi-opens-up-on-tollywood-casting-couch/amp_articleshow/71098538.cms) • [6](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/happy-birthday-swathi-from-ashta-chamma-to-karthikeya-5-films-of-the-actress-that-prove-why-she-is-an-extraordinary-performer/photostory/75194626.cms) |
| Signature role | Lavanya in *Ashta Chamma* (2008); Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu and Nandi Award for Best Actress[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3763970/bio/) |
| Malayalam work | Debut in *Amen* (2013) as Shoshamma; also *North 24 Kaatham* as Narayani[7](https://silverscreenindia.com/movies/interviews/swathi-reddy-interview/) • [8](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/im-saving-my-creative-best-for-malayalam-swati-reddy/articleshow/21758958.cms) |
| Marriages | Vikas Vasu (married 30 August 2018; separated by mutual consent in 2023); director Srikanth Nagothi (married 8 July 2026)[9](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/swati-reddy-ties-the-knot-again-actress-marries-director-srikanth-nagothi-in-an-intimate-ceremony/amp_articleshow/132277375.cms) |
| Other work | Dubbing artist, including for Ileana D'Cruz in *Jalsa*; no producer credit on *Mangalavaaram* (2023), which was produced by Swathi Reddy Gunupati[7](https://silverscreenindia.com/movies/interviews/swathi-reddy-interview/) • [10](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/i-want-to-make-socially-conscious-movies-swathi-reddy-reflects-on-her-journey-as-a-female-producer-with-recent-hit-film-mangalavaaram/articleshow/106254546.cms) • [14](https://www.123telugu.com/interviews/interview-swathi-reddy-suresh-varma-the-output-of-mangalavaaram-exceeded-our-expectations.html) |
## Early life
Swathi Reddy was born in Vladivostok, in what was then the USSR, where her father Siva Rama Krishna was posted with the [Indian Navy](https://www.edgepedia.org/indian-navy) as a submariner. A Russian doctor attending her mother named the baby Svetlana, which means "beautiful girl"; her mother changed it to Swati, and the family later moved to Bombay and then to the Eastern Naval Command in [Visakhapatnam](https://www.edgepedia.org/visakhapatnam), where she spent most of her childhood. She shifted to [Hyderabad](https://www.edgepedia.org/hyderabad) in her 11th standard and studied biotechnology at St. Mary's College in Yousufguda.[3](https://www.idlebrain.com/celeb/interview/swati.html) • [1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3763970/bio/) She grew up speaking Hindi and English at home and learned Telugu only after entering television.[3](https://www.idlebrain.com/celeb/interview/swati.html)
## Television and the "Colours Swathi" name
Her entry into television came through an aunt who worked on a program for Maa TV. Swathi accompanied her to a promo shoot, improvised a talk segment on movies, and was soon asked by Maa TV's Adavi Srinivas to host a new program called *Colours*. What began as a pastime turned into more than 150 episodes; the show started in a 30-minute Wednesday slot, moved to Saturdays, and within two months of its first episode was given a one-hour prime slot on Sunday. The program made her a familiar face in Telugu homes and attached the name Colours Swathi to her, though she has said she prefers to be called just Swati.[3](https://www.idlebrain.com/celeb/interview/swati.html) • [4](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/movie-details/news-interviews/im-glad-i-have-no-godfather-swati/articleshow/7065556.cms)
## Film career
**Telugu beginnings.** While still in her first year of college, Swathi made her feature film debut with a supporting role as Mahalaxmi in Krishna Vamsi's *Danger* (2005); she has said Krishna Vamsi took permission from her college principal before signing her.[5](https://telugu.samayam.com/telugu-movies/cinema-news/actress-colors-swathi-opens-up-on-tollywood-casting-couch/amp_articleshow/71098538.cms) • [3](https://www.idlebrain.com/celeb/interview/swati.html) Even a small part in *Aadavari Matalaku Ardhale Verule*, in which she played Pooja, the younger sister of Trisha Krishnan's character, drew wide attention.[6](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/happy-birthday-swathi-from-ashta-chamma-to-karthikeya-5-films-of-the-actress-that-prove-why-she-is-an-extraordinary-performer/photostory/75194626.cms)
**Breakthrough.** In 2008 she debuted in Tamil with [M. Sasikumar](https://www.edgepedia.org/m-sasikumar)'s *Subramaniapuram*, playing the village belle Thulasi, a role that brought a Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil nomination.[6](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/happy-birthday-swathi-from-ashta-chamma-to-karthikeya-5-films-of-the-actress-that-prove-why-she-is-an-extraordinary-performer/photostory/75194626.cms) The same year she played Lavanya in Mohana Krishna Indraganti's *Ashta Chamma*, a role that won her the Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu and the Nandi Award for Best Actress, and she credits the film's celebrated dialogue writing for much of its success.[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3763970/bio/) • [11](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/i-havent-done-anything-great-till-date-swati/articleshow/30902002.cms)
**Three industries.** Her Telugu hits include the thriller *Swamy Ra Ra*, in which she played a journalist opposite [Nikhil Siddhartha](https://www.edgepedia.org/nikhil-siddhartha), and [Chandoo Mondeti](https://www.edgepedia.org/chandoo-mondeti)'s mystery *Karthikeya*, both with Nikhil.[6](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/happy-birthday-swathi-from-ashta-chamma-to-karthikeya-5-films-of-the-actress-that-prove-why-she-is-an-extraordinary-performer/photostory/75194626.cms) In Malayalam she chose unconventional parts: her debut *Amen* cast her as the Catholic village girl Shoshamma in medieval Kerala, followed by the award-winning *North 24 Kaatham*, in which she played the no-nonsense social worker Narayani, and *Mosayile Kuthira Meenukal*.[7](https://silverscreenindia.com/movies/interviews/swathi-reddy-interview/) By mid-2014 she had completed eight Telugu, three Malayalam, and two Tamil films.[7](https://silverscreenindia.com/movies/interviews/swathi-reddy-interview/)
**Comeback and production.** After a period away from films, she returned with *Panchathantram* (2022) and played Lekha in Srikanth Nagothi's *Month of Madhu* (2023), opposite [Naveen Chandra](https://www.edgepedia.org/naveen-chandra).[9](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/swati-reddy-ties-the-knot-again-actress-marries-director-srikanth-nagothi-in-an-intimate-ceremony/amp_articleshow/132277375.cms) • [12](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-reviews/month-of-madhu/amp_movie_review/104207525.cms) In 2023, Swathi Reddy Gunupati, founder and managing director of Mudhra Ventures, made her debut as a producer with the Telugu film *Mangalavaaram*, directed by Ajay Bhupathi and starring Payal Rajput, and has spoken about wanting to make socially conscious movies.[10](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/i-want-to-make-socially-conscious-movies-swathi-reddy-reflects-on-her-journey-as-a-female-producer-with-recent-hit-film-mangalavaaram/articleshow/106254546.cms)
She has also worked as a dubbing artist, including for [Ileana D'Cruz](https://www.edgepedia.org/ileana-dcruz) in the Telugu film *[Jalsa](https://www.edgepedia.org/jalsa-2008-film)*, and dubs her own lines in Telugu and Tamil.[7](https://silverscreenindia.com/movies/interviews/swathi-reddy-interview/)
## Recognition
Within a short span early in her career she accumulated two [Nandi Awards](https://www.edgepedia.org/nandi-awards) and a [Filmfare Award for Best Actor](https://www.edgepedia.org/filmfare-award-for-best-actor) (female), a distinction the *Times of India* described as rare among Telugu actresses.[13](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/i-am-still-a-middle-class-girl-swathi/articleshow/19242904.cms)
## Personal life
Swathi married the international pilot Vikas Vasu on 30 August 2018, after which she left the film industry and spent time abroad; the couple separated by mutual consent in 2023.[9](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/swati-reddy-ties-the-knot-again-actress-marries-director-srikanth-nagothi-in-an-intimate-ceremony/amp_articleshow/132277375.cms) On 8 July 2026 she announced on Instagram, with the caption "Hitched. 08-07-2026", her second marriage, to Srikanth Nagothi, director of *Month of Madhu*, whom she had come to know while working on the film; the ceremony was a private, traditional one with family and close friends.[9](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/swati-reddy-ties-the-knot-again-actress-marries-director-srikanth-nagothi-in-an-intimate-ceremony/amp_articleshow/132277375.cms)
## References
1. [Swathi Reddy – Biography, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3763970/bio/)
2. [Swathi Reddy Movies – Times of India topic page](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Swathi-Reddy/movies)
3. [Colors Swati interview, Idlebrain (14 January 2009)](https://www.idlebrain.com/celeb/interview/swati.html)
4. [I'm glad I have no godfather: Swati, Hyderabad Times (9 December 2010)](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/movie-details/news-interviews/im-glad-i-have-no-godfather-swati/articleshow/7065556.cms)
5. [Colors Swathi on Tollywood casting couch, Samayam Telugu (12 September 2019)](https://telugu.samayam.com/telugu-movies/cinema-news/actress-colors-swathi-opens-up-on-tollywood-casting-couch/amp_articleshow/71098538.cms)
6. [Happy Birthday Swathi: From Ashta Chamma to Karthikeya, 5 films of the actress, Times of India (19 April 2020)](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/happy-birthday-swathi-from-ashta-chamma-to-karthikeya-5-films-of-the-actress-that-prove-why-she-is-an-extraordinary-performer/photostory/75194626.cms)
7. [The Swathi Reddy interview, Silverscreen India (16 June 2014, archived)](https://silverscreenindia.com/movies/interviews/swathi-reddy-interview/)
8. [I'm saving my creative best for Malayalam: Swati Reddy, Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/im-saving-my-creative-best-for-malayalam-swati-reddy/articleshow/21758958.cms)
9. [Swati Reddy ties the knot again: Actress marries director Srikanth Nagothi, Times of India (9 July 2026)](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/swati-reddy-ties-the-knot-again-actress-marries-director-srikanth-nagothi-in-an-intimate-ceremony/amp_articleshow/132277375.cms)
10. [I want to make socially conscious movies: Swathi Reddy on Mangalavaaram, Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/i-want-to-make-socially-conscious-movies-swathi-reddy-reflects-on-her-journey-as-a-female-producer-with-recent-hit-film-mangalavaaram/articleshow/106254546.cms)
11. [I haven't done anything great till date: Swati, Times of India (2013)](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/i-havent-done-anything-great-till-date-swati/articleshow/30902002.cms)
12. [Month Of Madhu Movie Review, Times of India (6 October 2023)](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-reviews/month-of-madhu/amp_movie_review/104207525.cms)
13. [I am still a middle class girl: Swathi, Times of India (2013)](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/i-am-still-a-middle-class-girl-swathi/articleshow/19242904.cms)
14. [Interview : Swathi Reddy & Suresh Varma, The output of Mangalavaaram exceeded our expectations](https://www.123telugu.com/interviews/interview-swathi-reddy-suresh-varma-the-output-of-mangalavaaram-exceeded-our-expectations.html)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Films and standalone screen works › Film people and crafts › Film actors and performers › Indian and South Asian film actors by industry and language › Telugu film actors › Surnames H to R*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 17, 2026; Sep 19, 2026; Sep 30, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 17, 2026; Sep 18, 2026; Sep 19, 2026; Oct 12, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
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