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Roja - Struggling with a smile

The number of twists and turns in Roja's career have probably not been in any other heroine's career. For one she never wanted to be in films. She accidentally became a heroine and rose to the top in no time. Not only in Telugu, she became star in Tamil, too.

That's when she fell in love with Tamil Director Selvamani. Along with love she got into unforeseen troubles. Riding on the affair, her brothers started a film 'Samaram' with him. While shooting was still going on, Roja met with a big accident and was bed ridden for 4-5 months. This pushed up the Production costs and in the meantime Selvamani also lost his fan following. The expenditure became unmanageable and finally, when it was released, the film bombed.

The financiers dragged Roja and her brothers to court for money. She also lost her fans both in Tamil and Telugu. Her next film 'Lathi Charge' too bombed. Though she is doing a few films now, she lot her earlier image. We chatted with her in this background. 

How do you feel about the turn of events in your career?

A lot of people say that it's all due to faulty planning on your part. What do you say?

Will anybody make a film to get into losses? Because it was my first production and I wanted not to compromise on any point, the expenditure went up. The planning was okay.

Why did you go into real estate business?

I have two elder brother. If they wanted to do well in business, what's wrong? They started the real estate firm in Bangalore which did not do well because the market fell down. Sheer bad luck.

You gave everything to your brothers. Don't you think about yourself?

My family is everything for me. And moreover they both do a lot of hardwork for me. They manage all my affairs. Both are sincerely hardworking. Anyway, we lust money but we haven't troubled anybody else, have we?

After two flops as Producer, why do you want t make a third film, 'Durga'?

Well, once you take up a challenge, you want to fight to the finish. So we are making Durga, based on computed graphics. Who knows, my luck may hold good this time. 

Do they make films only to promote you?

Nothing like that. It's just that I suited the story in all their films till now.

The Industry used to feel that you are arrogant....

Well, that is the title the industry gives to anybody who wants to speak the truth. They are two-tounged. Everybody runs to me if I have market. The day I lose it, Nobody wants to give me a chance.

How's your career now?

I'm very busy right now. If I give two hits my rate goes up; otherwise it stays normal. It's all part of the game.

Have you married Selvamani?

How can we marry without telling you journalists?

She ended the interview with a smile. A brave and forthright girl, she never begged anybody for roles. Let's wish she over comes her difficulties sooner than later.