Pooja Vijay (born 5 November 1991), better known by her stage name Swasika, is an Indian actress and television presenter. She predominantly appears in supporting roles in Malayalam films and television series.

Personal life

Swasika was born Pooja Vijay to Attupurath Vijayakumar (an accountant in Bahrain) and Girija and hails from Perumbavoor, Ernakulam, Kerala. She has a brother, Akash. After taking a Bachelor of Arts degree in literature, she enrolled in dancing lessons. She got married with Prem Jacob on 26 January 2024

Biography

'''Pooja Vijay''' (born 5 November 1991), better known by her stage name '''Swasika''', is an Indian actress and television presenter. She predominantly appears in Malayalam films and television series, and has also worked in a few Tamil and Telugu films. Following stints of appearances as lead and supporting roles in various films across South cinema, she played the title role in ''Vasanthi'' (2019) winning her the Kerala State Film Award for Best Character Actress.She well known for her title character in Seetha (TV series) franchise.

Career

Her first film was Sundarapandi's ''Vaigai'', a love story, her character was based on a real life individual. She then did ''Goripalayam'' (2010) by Rasu Madhuravan, in which she played the second lead. She was still a student, when she acted in the film. Her third film ''Maithanam'' (2011) got positive reviews from both the critics and the audience. She played a village girl, who "values culture and tradition" in the film. In her next venture, ''Kandadhum Kaanadhadum'' by director Seelan, she played a "city-bred college girl". She made her Malayalam debut with ''Cinema Company'' (2012) and was the lead actress in Sajeevan Anthikkad's ''Prabhuvinte Makkal'' (2012). In the 2014 Tamil thriller ''Panduvam'' she played a psychiatrist, a modern character as opposed to her earlier roles in Tamil films.She has worked as television anchor too. In 2014, she hosted a show on Jeevan TV. She later played the lead role in a television serial ''Dhathuputhri'' on Mazhavil Manorama. She has appeared in some advertisements also. Her next TV serial, ''My Marumakan'' telecasted on Surya TV. In 2017, in ''Chinthavishtayaya Seetha'' on Asianet, she played the central character and eventually rose to fame among the Malayali audience and won her several accolades. She played the lead role in ''Seetha'' on Flowers, a sequel to the latter. She had signed a serial ''Pranayini'' but later opted out. She is an active presence in stage shows mainly as a dancer and is also an anchor for several television shows. Apart from this, she has acted in some advertisements, dance- music video dramas, short films, albums, and dance covers.In 2019, she was cast in the title role in Rahman Brothers’ ''Vasanthi'', which premiered at the 2021 International Film Festival of Kerala and met with critical acclaim. She was adjudged the Best Character Actor (Female) at the 50th Kerala State Film Awards. The film has also won the awards for Best Film and Best Script.She has worked as television anchor too. In 2014, she hosted a show on Jeevan TV. She later played the lead role in a television serial ''Dhathuputhri'' on Mazhavil Manorama. She has appeared in some advertisements also. Her next TV serial, ''My Marumakan'' telecasted on Surya TV. In 2017, in ''Chinthavishtayaya Seetha'' on Asianet, she played the central character and eventually rose to fame among the Malayali audience and won her several accolades. She played the lead role in ''Seetha'' on Flowers, a sequel to the latter. She had signed a serial ''Pranayini'' but later opted out. She is an active presence in stage shows mainly as a dancer and is also an anchor for several television shows. Apart from this, she has acted in some advertisements, dance- music video dramas, short films, albums, and dance covers.In 2019, she was cast in the title role in Rahman Brothers’ ''Vasanthi'', which premiered at the 2021 International Film Festival of Kerala and met with critical acclaim. She was adjudged the Best Character Actor (Female) at the 50th Kerala State Film Awards. The film has also won the awards for Best Film and Best Script.She is the host of Amrita TV's celebrity guest show ''Red Carpet.'' In 2023, she became the host of the reality show ''Ammayum Makalum.''

Television/Online Career

Acting Credits ( Television)Year
title
Role
Language
Channel
Notes
2014
Dhathuputhri
Kanmani/Meenu
Malayalam
Mazhavil Manorama
Won , Best new face -Drishya TV awards 2015
2015–2016
My Marumakan
Aishwarya
Malayalam
Surya TV

2016-2017
Chinthavishtayaya Seetha
Seetha
Malayalam
Asianet
Won , Flowers TV awards 2017-Best Actress
2017–2019
Seetha
Seetha
Malayalam
Flowers TV
Won , 9th Adoor bhasi TV award - Best Actress6th Santhadevi Puraskaram -Best Actress
2019
Arayannanglude Veedu
Seetha
Malayalam
Flowers TV
Cameo appearance
2020
Lockdown please
Various Roles
Malayalam
Flowers TV

TV showsYear
Program
Role
Language
Channel
Notes
2012–2014
Music program
Host
Malayalam
Jeevan TV

2013
On the spot
Host
Malayalam
India

2015
Raree Rareeram Raaro Season 2
Host
Malayalam
Asianet Plus

2016
Smart Show
Co-Host
Malayalam
Flowers TV
Replaced Ailina
2016–2017
Shubharathri
Host
Malayalam
Jeevan TV
Replaced Krishna Praba
2017
Celebrity league
Host
Malayalam
Flowers TV
Onam Program
Ponnona Ruchi
Host
Malayalam
Flowers TV
Onam Pachakamela
Host
Malayalam
Flowers TV
Golden couple
Host
Malayalam
Surya TV
2017–2018
Katturumbu
Host
Malayalam
Flowers TV

Kaathukuttan Katturumbu
Host
Malayalam
Flowers TV

2020–Present
Red Carpet
Host
Malayalam
Amrita TV

Acting Credits ( Online)Year
title
Role
Language
Channel
Notes
2014
Mizhiyoram
Nidhi
Malayalam
YouTube
Short film
2018
Nidhi
Shalini
Malayalam
YouTube
Short film
Naari
Arya
Malayalam
YouTube
Short film
2019
Neethu weds Manu
Neethu
Malayalam
YouTube
Web series
Kannanum Yashodhayum
Heroine
Malayalam
YouTube
Devotional album
2020
Mattoru Kadavil Kuliscene 2
Geetha
Malayalam
YouTube
Short film
Lokam
Herself
Malayalam
YouTube
Music video
Thiruvonaponnujal
Herself
Malayalam
YouTube
Music video
Pulivaal
Sherly/Teacher
Malayalam
YouTube
Web series
Rithu
Lover
Malayalam
YouTube
Music video
Nandhi Orayiram Nandhi
Dancer
Malayalam
YouTube
Music video
Other TV / Online WorksYear
Program
Role
Language
Channel
Notes
2011
Vivel active fair big break
Participant
Malayalam
Surya TV
among top 10 contestants
2013
Mollywood Talk
Herself
Malayalam
MagicClickAd

2015
Onnum Onnum Moonu
Herself
Malayalam
Mazhavil Manorama

Don't do don't do
Herself
Malayalam
Asianet Plus

2016
Ugram Ujwalam
Herself
Malayalam
Mazhavil Manorama

2017
Comedy super night 3
Herself
Malayalam
Flowers TV

Annie's kitchen
Malayalam
Amrita TV

Katturumbu
Judge
Malayalam
Flowers TV

Mammookka The Great Father
Herself
Malayalam
Flowers TV

2017-2018
Tamaar Pataar
Herself
Malayalam
Flowers TV

2019
Annie's Kitchen
Herself
Malayalam
Amrita TV

On The Spot
Herself
Malayalam
One TV

Talk to Metromatinee.com
Herself
Malayalam
Online

Star Magic
Herself
Malayalam
Flowers TV
In the opening dance
Art Gallery
Herself
Malayalam
Online

What's In My Bag
Herself
Malayalam
Mazhavil Manorama

E Times;Entertainment Times
Herself
Malayalam
TV Times Online

Keralolsavam
Participant
Malayalam
Surya TV

Ice Break with Veena
Herself
Malayalam
Behindwoods

Manamariyunnol Swasika
Herself
Malayalam
Manoramaonline

Ladies Band
Herself
Malayalam
News 18 Kerala

Dias
Herself
Malayalam
Online

Cinema Daddy
Herself
Malayalam
Online

Game Time with Joe
Herself
Malayalam
Jangospace TV

Be It Media
Herself
Malayalam
Online

What's in the Box Challenge
Herself
Malayalam
Indian Cinema Gallery

Ona Mamangam
Herself
Malayalam
Surya TV

Start Music Aaradhyam Padum
Participant
Malayalam
Asianet

Comedy Stars
Herself
Malayalam
Asianet

Behindwoods Ice
Herself
Malayalam
Online

2020
Melting Point
Herself
Malayalam
Online

See Real Star
Herself
Malayalam
Manoramaonline

Bolo Tara Ra Ra
Herself
Malayalam
Skylark Pictures

Stay Home Stay Happy
Herself
Malayalam
Mathrubhumi News

Interview
Herself
Malayalam
Free Bird Entertainment

Dancebae
Dancer
Malayalam
YouTube
Dance cover
Appolum Paranjille
Dancer
Malayalam
YouTube
Dance cover
Onamelam
Herself
Malayalam
Surya TV
Onam Program
Ponnonavaum Ponn Tharangalum
Herself
Malayalam
Amrita TV
Onam Program
Thalam Melam Ponnonam
Herself
Malayalam
Kaumudy TV
Onam Program
Onaeasam + Navarasam = Swasika
Herself
Malayalam
Kaumudy TV
Onam Program
Meet My Guest
Herself
Malayalam
Rosebowl