Actor Arvind Swamy recently took a nostalgic trip back to 1992, the year his iconic film *Roja* took the nation by storm. Surprisingly, Swamy wasn’t even in India to witness the massive success of the film. At the time, he was overseas pursuing his masters, completely unaware of the cultural impact *Roja* was creating back home.
Directed by the legendary Mani Ratnam, *Roja* was a romantic thriller that captured hearts across the country. The film starred Swamy alongside Madhoo and told the gripping story of a village woman’s desperate search for her husband, who is kidnapped by militants during a covert mission in Kashmir. It was one of the few early Tamil films to achieve pan-India success, thanks to its dubbed releases in multiple languages.
Reflecting on the film’s legacy, Swamy shared an interesting tidbit with IANS. “I was not in India for the release of the film,” he admitted. “I was overseas doing my masters. After filming wrapped, I left for my studies and missed experiencing its success firsthand. But looking back now, it’s incredibly nostalgic to revisit those moments.”
Swamy’s career has been anything but conventional. From *Roja* to *Bombay*, *Thalapathi*, and *Thani Oruvan*, he has consistently chosen roles that challenge norms. But is this deliberate? According to the actor, it’s not about defying expectations—it’s about following his instincts.
“I don’t pick roles based on what’s already been done or what’s commercially safe,” he explained. “I choose stories that resonate with me. If something feels too easy, I’m not interested. The real drive comes from challenges that make me question whether I can pull them off.”
In 2021, Swamy stepped behind the camera for the first time, directing a segment in Netflix’s anthology *Navarasa*. His efforts didn’t go unnoticed—he recently bagged the Leadership in Cinema award at the 16th Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) in 2025. For Swamy, the recognition is both humbling and motivating.
“It’s an honour, of course,” he said. “But I’m still learning, still trying to do my best. Over the years, I’ve chosen projects because of their stories and the people involved, not just for commercial wins. If my work has inspired others in some way, that’s what gives this award meaning.”
Swamy’s journey—from missing *Roja’s* triumph to carving his own path in cinema—proves that success isn’t always about being in the spotlight at the right moment. Sometimes, it’s about the choices you make when no one’s watching.