The story begins in 1551 in the fictional Vinjamara vamsam that followed matriarchal norms, ruled by Rukmini Devi (Ritu Varma). In contrast to the current social evil of female foeticide, during this queen’s rule, male foeticide was prevalent. Hasith Goli goes all out in his satirical approach to portray men with veils and women making the important decisions. He narrates a hypothetical story of one man, Bhavabhuti (Sree Vishnu), turning the tables and introducing a patriarchal system.
Sangeetha Devi Dundoo of The Hindu gave a positive review with particular praise to Hasith Goli, and the performances of Sree Vishnu, Ritu Varma and Meera Jasmine. She further wrote that "There are times when the multiple timelines and characters can feel tiresome. But ultimately, it finds its rhythm and can leave you with a smile".[7]Eenadu opined that the confused story and screenplay are the major negatives, while the performances of Sree Vishnu and Ritu Varma is the major positive of the film.[8] Avad Mohammad of OTTPlay appreciated the performance of Sree Vishnu and other actors of the film while stating, "Swag has an interesting concept which is marred by a very uneven and confusing screenplay. The cast, thrills, and performances are decent but to enjoy them one needs to have patience and sit for the last half an hour when the actual action happens".[9]
123Telugu gave a rating of 2.5 out of 5 and stated that "Swag has a very good story and great performances, but it takes time for one to understand the actual concept due to a dull screenplay".[10] Giving the same rating, Telugucinema.com opined that "the story is unique, and the message it drives is good. Moreover, Sree Vishnu portrays four distinct roles, one of which is more daring than the others, adding to its allure. Despite all these merits, it suffers from ‘heavy’ narration and excessive length. The screenplay is also fraught with confusion".[11]
Film critic Cinephile India praised Hasith Goli's handling of the story and characters. He mentions that Swag offers a thought-provoking drama about gender equality while highlighting the inequalities being passed down by generations in a fun satirical way. He goes on praise Sree Vishnu's acting in multiple roles spanning generations and calls it one of his best performances, Meera Jasmine shines with her captivating character in "Swag," bringing depth and authenticity to her role. Her performance is both compelling and impressive, perfectly complementing her radiant presence and striking appearance. She truly embodies the essence of her character, making her a standout in the film.. [12]
Budget of Swag movie is approximately 20 Crore rupees. [13]