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Roja (film)

Roja is a 1992 Indian Tamil-language romantic thriller film directed and co-written by Mani Ratnam.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated September 10, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Roja is a 1992 Indian Tamil-language romantic thriller film directed and co-written by Mani Ratnam. It stars Arvind Swamy and Madhoo, and follows a woman from Tamil Nadu who tries to free her husband after he is kidnapped in Kashmir during a covert mission. The film is widely noted as A. R. Rahman’s film music debut.

Plot

The story follows Roja, a woman from a village in southern Tamil Nadu, after her husband is abducted by militants in Jammu and Kashmir during a secret mission. She struggles to locate and rescue him, driving the film’s emotional and political tension.

Production and release

Roja was directed and co-written by Mani Ratnam and produced under K. Balachander’s Kavithalayaa Productions. It was released on 15 August 1992, coinciding with Indian Independence Day.

Music

The film is especially known for its soundtrack, which introduced A. R. Rahman as a film composer. The music received strong critical attention and helped establish Rahman’s career.

Reception and legacy

Roja received positive attention on release and became a notable Indian film of the 1990s. It has remained significant for its music, its Kashmir setting, and its place in Mani Ratnam’s filmography.

Key facts

  • Roja is a 1992 Tamil-language romantic thriller directed and co-written by Mani Ratnam.
  • The film stars Arvind Swamy and Madhoo in the lead roles.
  • Its plot centres on a Tamil Nadu woman whose husband is kidnapped in Kashmir while on a covert mission.
  • The film marked A. R. Rahman’s debut as a film composer.
  • It was later dubbed into other Indian languages, including Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam, and Marathi.
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Canadian context

Roja has relevance for Canadian readers through diaspora interest in Indian cinema, especially Tamil-language film and A. R. Rahman’s internationally recognised work.

Frequently asked questions

What is Roja about?
It is about a Tamil Nadu woman who tries to rescue her husband after he is kidnapped in Kashmir during a covert mission.
Who directed Roja?
Roja was directed and co-written by Mani Ratnam.
Who starred in Roja?
The lead roles were played by Arvind Swamy and Madhoo.
When was Roja released?
It was released on 15 August 1992.
Why is Roja notable?
It is notable for A. R. Rahman’s debut as a film composer and for its prominent political and musical impact.
Was Roja dubbed into other languages?
Yes. It was later dubbed into Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam, and Marathi.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roja_(film)
    Supports: Basic film identification, release year, director, cast, and plot summary.
  2. Simple English Wikipedia — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roja_(movie)
    Supports: Release date, cast, language, music debut, reception, and dubbed-language information.
  3. Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2739153
    Supports: Canonical identification of Roja as a 1992 Tamil film directed by Mani Ratnam.
  4. indiancine.ma — https://indiancine.ma/BJHY/info
    Supports: Cast and production details, including director, runtime, and original-language context.