Roja

Roja

Year: 1992

Runtime: 137 mins

Language: Tamil

Director: Mani Ratnam

DramaActionRomance

Roja, a young woman from a Tamil village, watches her sister’s planned marriage to a city dweller unravel when the groom suddenly decides to marry Roja instead. He is then posted to a job in Kashmir, where militant groups plot to kidnap the couple, plunging them into a dangerous ordeal.

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Timeline & Setting – Roja (1992)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Roja (1992). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Early 1990s

The events take place during a period of heightened militancy in Kashmir, reflected in the presence of RAW operations and cross-border tensions. The timeline provides a backdrop for political negotiations and hostage drama. The story’s urgency is driven by the era’s security concerns and media portrayal of violence.

Location

Srinagar, Sundarapandiapuram, Madras, Baramulla

The story unfolds across the Kashmir valley city of Srinagar, a region long troubled by militancy and military operations. It also shifts to Sundarapandiapuram in Tamil Nadu, a quiet rural village that anchors Roja’s family ties, and to Madras (Chennai), a bustling metropolis where the couple begins their new life. Baramulla serves as a frontline army communications centre and the focal point of the hostage crisis, illustrating the security landscape in the region. The geography contrasts peaceful rural life with high-tension conflict zones, shaping the characters' choices.

❄️ Kashmir 🌾 Rural Tamil Nadu 🏙️ Urban centers ⚔️ Conflict zones

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:16

Main Characters – Roja (1992)

Meet the key characters of Roja (1992), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Roja (Madhoo)

An 18-year-old village girl from Sundarapandiapuram whose initial skepticism about her sister’s marriage shifts to deep love and loyalty for her husband. She shows resilience, courage, and adaptability as she travels from traditional village life to the frontlines of a cross-border conflict.

💫 Protagonist 🌾 Rural background ❤️ Family loyalty 🛡️ Courage

Rishikumar / Rishi (Arvind Swamy)

A RAW cryptologist who marries Roja and becomes entwined in the hostage crisis. He demonstrates calm under pressure, moral resolve, and a willingness to challenge the terrorists’ exploitation of his capture.

🧠 Cryptologist 💪 Courage 🕊️ Love & duty

Liaqat (Pankaj Kapur)

A Kashmiri militant associate who is drawn into the insurgent cause but experiences moral awakening. He helps Rishi escape and questions the war’s morality, highlighting the human complexity behind radicalization.

🧭 Moral conflict 🤝 Compassion 🗺️ Insurgent

Wasim Khan (Shiva Rindani)

A Kashmir-based terrorist leader whose capture and potential exchange drive the central tension. He embodies the political stakes of militancy and the coercive dynamics of hostage negotiations.

🗡️ Terrorist leader 🔒 Conflict 🧊 Captivity

Shenbagam (Vaishnavi)

Roja’s sister who is in love with the son of her maternal uncle; she later marries her cousin, a narrative thread that catalyzes Roja’s choices and highlights family loyalties amid upheaval.

💖 Sister 🌿 Rural Tamil Nadu 💔 Love complications

Chandramoorthy (S. Ve. Venkatraman)

Rishi’s RAW chief and an official who navigates political pressures and security concerns, influencing the decision to negotiate over Wasim Khan’s release.

🏛️ Official 🛰️ RAW ⚖️ Policy

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:16

Major Themes – Roja (1992)

Explore the central themes of Roja (1992), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

❤️ Love

Roja’s devotion to her family drives her decisions, including marrying Rishi to protect Shenbagam’s happiness. The romance evolves under the pressure of political turmoil, and Roja grows into a steadfast partner who fights for her husband’s safety. The film frames love as both a personal bond and a catalyst for courage in crisis.

🔥 Conflict

The narrative centers on the Kashmir separatist conflict and the hostage crisis, highlighting the human cost of political strife. It shows both sides of the struggle: the terrorists’ zeal and the Indian state’s negotiations and military responses. The plot turns on the moral ambiguities of war, captured in the exchange and rescue attempts.

🗣️ Language

Roja and Rishi navigate a language barrier that complicates communication with captors and officials, underscoring cultural divides. The need for translation and empathy becomes crucial as misunderstandings threaten their lives. The theme emphasizes how language can be both a barrier and a bridge in crisis.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:16

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