Roja (1992) User Reviews

First part of Mani Ratnam's political trilogy

[hprill · 8/10 · 12 April 2004]

This is the first movie of what was to become director Mani Ratnam's "political trilogy" ("Bombay" and "Dil Se" being the movies to follow). While not quite as accomplished as the later movies, he develops a very simple story of a young married couple, the subsequent kidnapping of the husband and the wife's attempts to persuade the authorities to help free him into a well-rounded movie that works on almost all levels that it encompasses:

The love relationship between the two main characters is credible and well-handled; the struggle of the individual citizen vs. government authorities and individual desires vs. the larger scale of politics is dealt with intensely (the scene where the Colonel tells Roja that "everyone is happy" is simply chilling), and even the interplay of the kidnapped and the terrorists works out really well, even if it seems sometimes that Rishi Kumar was lucky ending up with these rather than more ruthless people.

The only problem that I have with this movie are a small handful of scenes in which Indian patriotism is showcased in what I felt was a rather blunt manner (but then, coming from a different country, I may lack some essential cultural background to understand it).

Apart from this one quibble I think it's a good movie that you should really see, especially I've you've seen Mani Ratnam's other films. Acting is solid, especially from Pankaj Kapoor as the terrorist leader, but also from Arvind Swamy as Rishi (except perhaps when he goes into patriotic overdrive). Also on-screen chemistry between Arvind and Madhoo is fabulous. The music is an early, often charming ("Dil hai chhota sa") score by A. R. Rahman.

Watch it.

Mani Ratnam at his best!

[nairtejas · 9/10 · 2 December 2012]

I watched this almost after 20 years of its initial release and I regret it that I watched it so late.

This is a masterpiece where terrorism is chosen as a topic and mixed up with a romantic drama. A political essence just adds to its panache.

Not only directing, the actors have done equally well. Not to mention A R Rahman, the stalwart initiating his glorious career and going on winning two Oscars. Now I know why he deserved that! :D

The plot is so cool that it binds perfectly with the realism that our world is experiencing right now (2012)

A must watch for everyone!

Roja Roja Roja Roja Roja........loves Mani Ratnam

[varuna12 · 9/10 · 13 June 2005]

What a movie!!!! This is one movie that i can watch again and again. It was like a breath of fresh air in the stinking stench of typical Hindi movies. This movie gave me hope that Indians too can make decent movies!! But honestly, this movie was much much better then just DECENT!!! I love this movie. I love the guy's passion when he is trying to save the flag from fire!!! What a scene yaar!!!! forget that ..........i say what a movie yaar!!!!!!!!

Everyone who loves cinema and is a movie buff, should definitely have ROJA DVD in their collection! If they don't then they are liars and they don't love cinema and movies!!!!!!

Brilliant content ,Brilliant Score and Brilliant Direction

[ramsri81 · 10/10 · 27 April 2007]

Seen it ages ago ,still the memories stay as fresh as seen the first time. The deep struggles endured against militants who are humans also are brilliantly depicted in the movie. Well in the original language of the movie the scenes of village girl trying to cope up with the big city and north Indian culture are very vividly depicted by Mani(lost in translation in other languages). With a crew of supremely talented technicians and back ground staff Mani brings us another classic. He should also be credited for getting the best tunes of a innocently brilliant music genius. They just don't make music like those anymore. Personal Rating 10/10. I would prefer him to direct a movie remake of "THE TENANT" (original by Polanski)

Very touching movie with great scenery and good characters

[cashimor · 10/10 · 8 March 1999]

For once it is reasonably clear why the heroine falls in love with the hero, and also the motivation of the hero, even if it is unlikely, is well presented. This was one of the few movies that actually made me cry, and its images of Kashmir are beautiful.

Wow

[rizact · 10/10 · 5 August 2006]

This movie gets a 10/10 simply because of its uniqueness but that does not mean that it is not without flaws. I'll get to that later. The terrorism component has been shown very disturbingly. The big flaw I feel is that which the director discovered but failed to exploit fully. I'm talking about the language barriers between the north and south and how frustrating it can be especially in the light of a tragedy. Well he might have actually done more than I can remember because I saw this movie more than a decade ago. The most important thing about this movie that it was AR Rehman's débutant music score, before which he was just doing just music for advertisements. Well done Mani Ratnam for exploiting AR Rehman fully.

One of Mani Rathnam's greatest movies

[rathnam1992 · 10/10 · 22 February 2009]

As a Background, this is the first time, we have seen Mani Rathnam write and direct a movie, that involves the conflict of terrorism and more of a global movie (concerning India) rather than Tamil Nadu. When I first saw this movie, I was moved in tears by the story, direction and music. This is by far the best directed movie I have seen by Mani Rathnam (even better than Iruvar), mostly because the story flowed so smoothly and the subtle details that were present, especially when Rishi Kumar (Arvind Swamy) was kidnapped.

So to start of with the plot, the story revolves around Rishi Kumar and Roja (Madhoo), who get married in the beginning after many hurdles faced by both of them. Rishi Kumar originally was supposed to marry Roja's sister, but after Roja's sister confessed to Rishi Kumar, that she is in love with someone else, but cannot marry him now, due conflicts between their families. Rishi, then takes the blame for not marrying her, by saying he was in love with her younger sister, Roja. Due to the fact, that Rishi Kumar is well educated, handsome, and holds a good job, they were unwilling to refuse to Rishi Kumar's request, and Roja ends up marrying Rishi Kumar, and her older sister marries the person she loves. Due to Rishi Kumar's rejection of Roja's sister, she resents Rishi Kumar, until he tells her about why he chose to not marry her. After realizing her sister was happy with her husband, she begins to fall in love with Rishi Kumar.

Due to the illness of Rishi's boss, Rishi had to take a special project in Kashmir, where he as a cytologist, had a special task of cracking codes from the enemies. Due to the insistence of Roja, Rishi takes Roja with him, to Kashmir. Due to the high profile security around both Rishi and his wife, the terrorist who are demanding freedom for Kashmir, uses this as an opportunity and kidnaps Rishi Kumar, and asks the government to release a terrorist leader, who has killed many, Wasim Khan. Due to the nature of the situation, the government refused to release Wasim Khan for Rishi Kumar. This leads Roja, to plead with the police and the heads of government, to do anything to free her husband. From the pleading of Roja, the government finally allows Wasim Khan to be released, for Rishi Kumar, to the disappointment of head police chief (Nasser), who worked hard to imprison Wasim Khan. Finally in the end, when the exchange was supposed to take place between Wasim Khan and Rishi Kumar, the terrorist just give them clothes of Rishi Kumar, and Wasim Khan was immediately taken back, since the terrorist didn't keep up with their end of the deal. In the end, we realize that the terrorist couldn't hand over Rishi Kumar, since he escaped, and Rishi Kumar faces off with the head terrorist (Pankaj Kapoor), who after many conversations with Rishi Kumar, changed him as a person, and lets him go. The film ends with Rishi Kumar and Madhoo, reuniting at the end.

The greatness of this movie is the direction of Mani Rathnam and music by A.R. Rahman. This is by far the best music produced by A.R. Rahman, and from Roja to Slumdog Millionaire, I would say his debut film, Roja, was the best movie, he has made music for. The most moving moments in the movie, are scenes after Rishi Kumar gets kidnapped. When Pankaj Kapoor, tries to make him plead for release of Wasim Khan on a recorder, He refuses and says "Jai Hind" and every time he says it, he gets beaten by his guards, until finally they point the gun at him to shoot, and he continues to say "Jai Hind", at which moment, Wasim Khan stops them from shooting him. Another good moments from the movie, is the interaction between Roja and the police chief (Nasser), where the police chief doesn't believe that Wasim Khan should be released for a normal citizen like Rishi Kumar, and he should risk his life for the country. To which Roja, asks if he would say the same, if it was the son of the prime minister, or anyone related to someone in power. Also when Roja, confronts Wasim Khan in jail, and asks him why he is trying to kill someone who is innocent, for his personal gain. And further asks him why he doesn't just go to Pakistan, if he does not like India, and stop killing innocent civilians like her husband. The best moment in the movie I believe is the moment, when one of the terrorist guard informs (Pankaj Kapoor) that they have refused to release Wasim Khan, and for the bad news he takes out the flag, and tries to burn it. Rishi Kumar reacts to this by forcefully breaking the window, and jumping over the flag, to extinguish the fire. And he tries to fight off the guards, and finally gets restrained by them. The background music for this scene was well done, and the camera work, where one cannot see the flag, until he burns it, was very well done by Mani Rathnam. Overall the plot, direction, music, make this one of the finest Tamil movies ever taken. The acting by Arvind Swamy and Madhoo was excellent. Overall this is a great movie, especially if you enjoy patriotic movies, like Border, Kargil etc.

Well-made film: A turning point in Indian Cinema

[Neels-2 · 1 July 1999]

Roja is a film that many feel has been a turning point in Indian cinema. The North, that usually gets all the media hype & coverage in spite of poor techniques and stories got a slap on its face when this Tamil movie was dubbed in Hindi, to enable the larger population to watch this film with a topical theme (of Kashmiri militancy). Movies from the South have always been better in content and form compared to the North. And this movie created that awareness amongst the public there, and its success encouraged many other films to be dubbed in Hindi.

And many a star was born:

1. Mani Ratnam (who had given better films like Mouna Ragam, Nayakan, Geetanjali and Anjali before)

2. A R Rahman aka Dileep Shekar: The man who brought in the New Sound to the Indian film music (lest they forget Music Maestro Ilayaraja's genius, with whom he was a lead keyboard player once) and threat to the copycats of yore: The Annu Maliks and the Anand Milinds

3. Santosh Sivan: The cinematographer, now-turned director

4. Arvind Swamy: The chubby-cheeked fair-skinned hero who appealed to the color-conscious Northies. And his patriotic fervour was well lapped up.

5. Madhoo: The ugly duckling as she was presented in her debut movie was transformed into a lovely and believable Roja- a village belle in awe of the city life and courageous when her life becomes hell with her husband's abduction.

What was interestingly presented in the Tamil Original (but lost completely in the Hindi version, as every character speaks Hindi) was the language problem she faces in the North.

I watched the film thrice.

Excellent movie, beautiful locations and songs

[satyakvv · 10/10 · 28 November 1998]

I saw this movie 3 times.. lovely songs and locations. The story line is too good..

mild romance in the backdrop of terrorism

[aravind_babu · 10/10 · 23 July 2000]

The threat of terrorists in India meshed with mild romance is the summary of this movie. Roja(the rose) the heroine is an innocent girl whose newly wed husband gets kidnapped by Pakistani terrorists. The story revolves around how she runs from pillar to post to get her husband freed. The movie is quite intense in the later parts.

Inspired from Italian movie sunflower(1970)

[reachrajdream · 7/10 · 24 May 2007]

This movie is inspired from Italian movie Desica's Girasoli, I (1970),neverthless no complaints because i don't believe in originality.The movie is worth watching because of good story and flow of the story.A.R.Rehmans score and P.C.Sreeram's camera is beautiful.The movie has romance and patriotism.Good natural performance by the acting team also.Maniratnam was in great form during this period,he gave continuous hits of Mouna Ragam,Nayagan,Agni Natchathiram,Geethanjali,Anjali,Thalapathi.There were many cute scenes in the movie.It is also visually stunning.

Even Vittoria Desica might have been happy watching this movie because such a solid,positive enhancement of his work.

An early 90s Sensation about Hardcore Patriotism and Hardcore Love..

[SAMTHEBESTEST · 8/10 · 18 June 2020]

Roja (1992) : Brief Review -

An early 90s Sensation about Hardcore Patriotism and Hardcore Love. Roja is first of it's kind of theme by Mani Ratnam where he set the love story in the Terrorism atmosphere. He succeeded fulfilling both of them on high note and most importantly he did it positively and without any gimmicks. Roja is a sensation because it came in early 90s, an year before Riot Events took place in India or else the impact and disturbing theme would have fizzled to stand out. And also because Bollywood and South cinema had just started enjoying Masala Films filled with Machoism and Love Triangle based on Sacrifice, but then Roja came with a Love Story set in Sensitive and more realistic atmosphere. Kashmir's backdrop is always sensitive and fragile topic for Indian Movies because if you make just 1 small mistake, only god knows how people are gonna outburst and make it big issue. Fortunately Roja is a safe film cinematically and logically both. The patriotic theme sustains and evokes people to show thier love for the country and at the same time the Love Story runs smoothly. Arvind Swani and Madhoo both provides solid acts and even supporting cast is really good. Roja is truly by all mean a staggering debut for Music Maestro AR Rahman. Each and Every song is Awesome, even the worst case ends at Good. Dialogues are Fantastic, that's it. Kudos for Mani Ratnam for attempting a gutsy product much earlier than expected. He wrote an amazing script and justified it fully with his direction. Probably, the first time Love Story and Patriotism have been bounded together therefore creating a sensational Roja. I hated his 'Dil Se' for the Dumb characterisation but Roja doesn't have anything like that and lives upto all essential elements of Quality Filmmaking. Roja is an early 90s Classic which still manages to hold its impact despite several attempts on same theme.

RATING - 8/10*

By - #samthebestest

Not Exactly A Terrorist Musical, But Out Of The Ordinary

[museumofdave · 7/10 · 26 March 2013]

For U.S.viewers unaccustomed to the mix of escapist musical numbers with disturbing plot content, i.e., a "terrorist musical," Mani Ratnam's romantic drama may prove to be frustrating; with those who are more adventurous, fascinating. Most US films clock in at about 2 hours; most Hindi and Tamil films at about three, and that many hours allow for the inclusion of family drama, romance, singing and dancing in places seemingly unrelated to the plot--in short, a little bit of everything for the time spent.

This film is more serious than most of it's kind, dealing with the threat of terrorists (director Ratnam followed it up with a second along the same line, Dil Se) and what a community does about them. My biggest complaint with this film is about the quality of color in the DVD; old Technicolor musicals from Hollywood are restored to an amazing brilliance, while this has been allowed to fade and the film shows the wear of time in print quality. All that said, it's an effective example of it's kind, with several touching performances and a poignant finale.

Disappointing Movie...

[nimitnigam · 2/10 · 10 July 2015]

After watching movie like Bombay I was hoping something good with ROJA. but i really sad with It..First How Army allow ROJA to come on their Missions?? I mean are you serious?? Army job is not a GAME..they are not playing Terrorist Hunting Game on PS...Second on whole Movie they showed a Wrong portray of a Wife..how can any Indian be so selfish...I know its hard to Except that and She was worried but when Colonel said Are you don't care about Indians and Other People so she said NO I Don't..I just want My husband Back...Really disappointing Story Line...and Last..the way JIHADI changed and talking to him was really Funny...No doubt Mani Ratnam is a Really great writer and director..But on this Movie he was really so bad....Acting of Pankaj Kapoor again Nice...Love it...I like Arvind Swamy more in BOMBAY...A.R. Rahman Music just Superb..Love all the SONGS!!! Locations Really Nice...2 Star because I really find Movie more Filmy than Reality...

The best ever

[nijithv-27876 · 10/10 · 2 January 2016]

One of the best ever romantic story that I have ever seen. The songs and story is incredibly the best. Good narration. Good scenic locations. Incredibly the best. The acting is perfect. beyond the describable. Songs and climax unforgettable. never had my whole sole touched so high before. perfect and everyone should see it.One of the best ever romantic story that I have ever seen. The songs and story is incredibly the best. Good narration. Good scenic locations. Incredibly the best. The acting is perfect. beyond the describable. Songs and climax unforgettable. never had my whole sole touched so high before. perfect and everyone should see it

The Greatest Movie that changed Pan Indian Cinema

[venkateshravichandran · 10/10 · 9 December 2017]

For starters, The movie name " Roja" brings goosebumps , such is the impact it had on me as a Cinema lover and made me understand and changed my perspective on how the perfect Movie should be : Engagingly showcasing both visually and with dialogues along with able support from songs, Bgm and Cinematography a story and drama that is unique yet both emotionally gripping and thrilling with a most relevant social theme.

Roja is the only movie or at least one of the very few which has all these and some. For once, it is a movie where the fullstop is not after a couple get married and the actual love is established post marriage and shown in the form of a thriller integrated with a national theme brilliantly.

The first half is a beautiful depiction of character establishment and drama between different relationships shown subtly with some of the best music and dialogues ever heard and best natural scenery ever seen.

The second half the story takes a tremendous turn both story wise and in terms of premise and feel of the movie...The wonderful part if how a national issue was dealt with perfect reality in an national integration form yet the interior layer was a true love story where the wife goes all out for her husband.

Its probably the first national integration movie ever and in locations seen for the first time with the lovely thoughts at present reflecting of scenes in the past format ( The one before kaadhal Rojave) , songs both visually and to hear off the charts.

So many movies since have used the templates set in Roja and yet none can match the greatest Indian movie ever made by the pairing then that has now conquered the nation as the best - Maniratnam and ARR!!

Final Verdict : The best Indian Movie!!

The most important Tamil film ever made and landmark film In India

[stylegamer · 9/10 · 23 January 2020]

Note : A reviewer mentioned that this film is inspired form italian film sunflower (1970). The information is incorrect. There is no resemblance in the plot or even screenplay to that film

Released in 1992, this film has set records and brought about important trends and changes in the industry in terms of form , content and presentation, And a film that introduced the ace musician A. R. Rahman. Therea re so many things about this film that we have to talk about . The plot is unusual for its time and so was everything else like the breathtaking cinematography , exhilarating music and acting performances.

Ahead of its time

[drshrikantjamdade · 10/10 · 27 May 2021]

What a movie!! Flawless!

Music is immortal One the best Indian movies ever made.

even after 30 years it is fresh

[saru2020 · 10/10 · 29 October 2023]

Watching this film 30 years after its release is a testament to its enduring quality. Some parts of the movie still feel remarkably fresh, particularly in the emotional and family drama segments where Mani Ratnam's unique storytelling style shines through.

While the genius of A. R. Rahman is unmistakable in the film's songs, it's notable that his background music (BGM) doesn't always hit the mark. There are instances of noisy and mismatched BGMs that detract from the overall experience. However, the fact that the film remains watchable even today is commendable. It speaks to the timeless aspects of the narrative and character dynamics.

In retrospect, the movie's ability to hold the viewer's attention over the decades is a testament to its quality and the lasting impact of its emotional storytelling.

Mani Ratnam at his best... soulful music, gripping storyline..

[impulsynick · 10/10 · 15 January 2020]

A must watch, location and music are just beautiful... condition of Kashmir at that time was too tense...a must watch for everyone

The Independence

[Insane_Man · 7/10 · 22 November 2021]

A couple visit India occupied Kashmir, while there is an unrest all over the place because the people of Kashmir want independence from India. One of the guerrilla team abduct the husband in front of the wife. Thus, the wife seeks her husband's release to several of Indian Top authorities.

It's an A. R. Rahman's saga. Yes, the music. The music of this movie is everything. I watched it for the good music by the way for Mani Ratnam's direction I appreciate a lot. It's the first of trilogy. Roja, Bombay and Dil se...

About the topic, India occupied Kashmir, The Kashmiris are rebellious and they want independent from India. It's a simple logic. The Kashmiris are terrorists on the view of India, on the other hand, the Indians are the terrorists on the view of Kashmir. India once gets independence from British, India fight a lot. But the people of Kashmir can't fight enough for their independents. They are weak to India. All movies in this topic, Kashmir topic, India glorifies their patriotism, but ignore the real voice of the people of Kashmir, what they want.

Madhoo did a very well act. The direction, the cinematography are also very good.

Recommended music 100%, movie 30%.

A Melodious masterpiece from Mani and A R Rahman

[sauravjoshi85 · 10/10 · 19 January 2024]

Roja is a romantic thriller film directed by Mani Ratnam. The film stars Arvind Swami, Madhoo, Nassar, Janagaraj and Pankaj Kapur.

A simple girl from a village in Tamil Nadu, makes desperate efforts to find her husband, after he is kidnapped by militants during a secret undercover mission in Jammu and Kashmir.

This film is mainly known for the melodious music by AR Rehman with superb direction by Mani Ratnam and enchanting cinematography but in my opinion the film should also be appreciated for some great display of acting specially by Madhoo who displayed the character of a simple village girl transformed into a fearless wife looking for her husband with great perfection.

The plot of the film is good and execution is superb. The film which started as a romantic film changes its genre into a thriller film in no time and kept the viewers spellbounded.

Music, acting, direction, execution and climax of the film is superb and has everything for a viewer to get satisfied after watching a film.

A must watch film for stupendous direction, melodious music and strong acting.

Ok only ...

[jayenjr · 6/10 · 25 April 2022]

But it lacks emotional core of previous Mani Ratnam efforts. This review is like decades late, but I finally got around to see it, especially every now and then the song tune play inside my head. So I just had to see what's the background for a great soundtrack.

When you've come out from watching Mani Ratnam's other monumental efforts like Nayagan or Thalapathi, you'd expect similar emotional turbo from subsequent outputs by the movie maker. Unfortunately, no. Partly due to the story itself, which revolves around a love relationship between newly weds played by Around and Madhoo with the background of terrorism in Kashmir. Somehow I didn't quite latch on to that as I did with the former efforts. A love story in the snowy mountains of Kashmir that face a terrorist threat, somehow felt forced. Hence, the dialogue that followed; it just felt somewhat unreal. As a result, one could not expect much emotional attachment to the central characters, although, every one of the actors and actresses do their best with what is given to them. Compare this with Nayagan and Thalapathi, where the story is enhanced by its central characters played by Kamal Hasan and Rajnikanth respectively, combined with great story telling and soundtrack, and you can understand why Roja falls short.