Swathi is yet another gem of a character portrayed by Konkona Sen Sharma in the Netflix original series ‘Killer Soup.’ Swathi is anything but our ideal homemaker we see on television. She has many shades of gray, making her character delectable to watch.
Swathi, a former nurse turned homemaker, aspires to open her own restaurant. Often, marriage remains the only way for a woman to experience upward class mobility. She married a wealthy company owner to change her fortune. Although her personal story isn’t explored in the series, we can only assume how compelling it could be. I look forward to a spin-off series on her personal story.
Swathi decides to stop running from her circumstances and takes the lead, even during a crisis involving murder and the possibility of going to jail.
Swathi’s relentless effort to become a chef is admirable. From the beginning, it’s clear she’s a bad cook. Her ‘Mutton Shorba/soup’ tastes bad even after repeated attempts. Despite this, Swathi keeps making the soup until she discovers the secret ingredient that finally makes it delectable.
Even when on the brink of losing all hope to hide her husband’s theft, escape jail, and ever get her own restaurant, she remains positive and hatches new plans to turn things around.
Swathi tries to share her words of wisdom as a woman with Kirtima, her husband’s lover. Swathi and Kirtima confront each other in the season finale. Swathi tells Kirtima that once she marries, she will forget all about love.
Rising from the class of downtrodden women, Swathi knows she doesn’t have the luxury to take a romantic approach to life. That’s why she dismisses Umesh when he suggests they’re like the romantic couples from Hindi films.
Her brother-in-law, who threatens and insults her at every chance he gets, doesn’t even mention her in his will. Ironically, when he dies, Swathi finally gains control of everything.
Konkona Sen portrays Swathi with masterful ease. Swathi feels like a tragic character with a burning desire to make something special out of her miserable life. In the end, one can’t help but feel sorry for Swathi for enduring so much and eventually meeting a tragic end.”
