Roja

In Srinagar, a Kashmiri terrorist, Wasim Khan, is captured by a team led by Colonel Rayappa (Nassar). In South India, 18-year old Roja is a simple village girl born and brought up in Sundarapandianpuram in Tirunelveli district in southern Tamil Nadu. Roja fervently wishes that her sister Shenbagams marriage proposal with Rishi Kumar (Arvind Swamy), a cryptologist working with the RAW of India, goes smoothly. Unknown to her and her family, Roja's sister is in love with the son of her paternal aunt.When Rishi wishes to speak to Roja's sister alone, she gathers enough courage to convey this and politely asks him to reject her in front of her parents, to which he obliges.

To everyone's surprise Rishi requests Rojas hand in marriage instead. Being unaware of her sisters love affair, Roja is not willing to accept Rishis proposal as she believes that he is the best match for her sister but she marries Rishi, and the couple go to live in Madras while her sister marries her cousin.Initially Roja does not like what Rishi did, but when she learns of her sisters love affair and consequent rejection of Rishi, she apologises and starts seeing him in a new light. Love blossoms, and life is blissful for the couple for a short while. Meanwhile, due to the illness of his boss, Rishi is assigned to an army communications centre in Baramulla.

The couple find themselves in a beautiful yet alien land. Rojas world turns upside down when Rishi is abducted by terrorists whose agenda is to separate Kashmir from India and free their leader, Wasim Khan, from judicial custody.Faced with the daunting task of rescuing her husband, Roja runs from pillar to post, pleading with politicians and the military for help. Further complicating matters is the communication gap: She cant speak their language, and they cant speak hers. Meanwhile Rishi, held captive by a group of terrorists led by Liaqat, an associate to Wasim Khan, tries to reason with the terrorists, about their misdirected motive for the liberation of Kashmir.

Liaqats sister shows a little compassion towards him. Initially, when Roja's efforts fail, the Indian government denies any negotiations with the terrorists for the release of Rishi in the media.The angered terrorists attempt to burn an Indian flag. Rishi risks his life to put out the fire and shows the terrorist how much the country means to him, a regular citizen. When Liaqat's younger brother, who with a few other youths from his village sent across the border to Pakistan for training, is shot by the Pakistan Army, Liaqat's strong belief is shaken, but he still manages to convince himself of the cause.

Consequently, Roja's efforts to apprise the politicians of her suffering and pain are successful as a minister pities her and offers to help.Much to the chagrin of Rayappa, the government decides to release Wasim Khan in exchange for Rishi. Rishi, not wanting to be used as a pawn to release a dangerous terrorist, gets help from the sympathetic Liaqat's sister and escapes with Liaqat and his men chasing him. Rayappa, Roja and other army officers get to the hostage exchange spot with Wasim Khan, but Liaqat does not show up. This leads Roja to think that Rishi is dead.

The Army locks Wasim Khan up in the prison.Rishi has managed to get close to the exchange spot on his own after evading the terrorists. During his escape, Rishi kills two terrorists. Liaqat catches up with him and holds him at gun point. Rishi reasons with Liaqat further and convinces him that his war is immoral.

Liaqat lets Rishi go and he goes to the exchange spot. Liaqat escapes from the Indian Army. Rishi and Roja are united once again.Ananda Vikatan, in its issue dated 13 August 1992, carried the reviews of the audience who had seen the film in Chennai theatres. Ten such reviews appeared, appreciating the film and its making.

The comment comment was, It was one of the finest films in Tamil Cinema. [Madhoo]s acting is fantastic and to be appreciated. K. Vijayan of New Straits Times wrote, Under [Mani Ratnam]s direction, [Arvind] and [Madhoo] gave their best . The excellent photography by Santhosh Sivan [who was also the cameraman for Thalapathi] makes us appreciate the beauty we take for granted in the villages.

The snow-capped mountains and flower-covered valleys of Kashmir are also an eyeful. Chetan Suryanarayana of Rediff.com called the Hindi version of Roja his favourite patriotic movie. The soundtrack by A. R.

Rahman was included in the 10 Best Soundtracks of all time listed by Time magazine, issued in 2005.