Roja Selvamani

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R. K. Roja
Actress Roja.jpg
Roja at an interview with Sakshi TV in 2017
Minister for Tourism, Culture and Youth Advancement, Government of Andhra Pradesh
Assumed office
11 April 2022
Chief MinisterY. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy
Preceded byMuttamsetti Srinivasa Rao
ConstituencyNagari
Chairperson of Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation
In office
15 July 2019 – 17 July 2021
Succeeded byMettu Govinda Reddy
Member of Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly
Assumed office
19 June 2014
Chief Minister
Preceded byGali Muddu Krishnama Naidu
ConstituencyNagari
President of the YSRCP Women's Wing
Assumed office
2015
President of the Telugu Mahila
In office
1999–2009
Personal details
Born
Sri Latha Reddy[1]

(1972-11-17) 17 November 1972 (age 51)
Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India
Political partyYuvajana Shramika Rythu Congress Party
(2011 - present)
Other political
affiliations		Telugu Desam Party
(1998 - 2009)[2]
Spouse(s)
(
m. 2002)
[3]
Children2
Occupation
  • Actress
  • politician
AwardsNandi Awards
Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress
Cinema Express Awards

Sri Latha Reddy known by her stage name Roja (born 17 November 1972), is an Indian politician and former actress.[4] She is currently serving as Minister for Tourism, Culture and Youth Advancement of Andhra Pradesh. She was a leading actress in Tamil and Telugu films from 1991 to 2002. She has also acted in a few Kannada and Malayalam-language films.[5] She won three Nandi Awards and one Tamil Nadu State Film Award.

Roja began her political career in 1998 from the Telugu Desam Party and aligns with the YSR Congress Party since 2011. She was elected as an MLA from Nagari in Andhra Pradesh twice in the 2014 and 2019. She also serves as the YSR Congress Party's state women president. Between 2019 and 2021, Roja served as the chairperson of APIIC Andhra Pradesh. In 2022, Roja announced she would be leaving the film industry to focus more on her political career as a politician. She also announced that she will no longer be acting in any films.[6]

Early life[edit]

Roja was born as Sri Latha Reddy on 17 November 1972 to Nagaraja Reddy and Lalitha in Tirupati, Tirupati district, Andhra Pradesh. She was the only girl with two brothers Kumaraswamy Reddy and Ramaprasad Reddy.[7] Later, the family moved to Hyderabad. She got her bachelor's degree in Political Science from Sri Padmavathi Women's University, Tirupati. Roja learnt Kuchipudi and was performing in dance before she entered films.[citation needed]

Career[edit]

Film career[edit]

Roja entered the film industry with Telugu films. Her first movie was Prema Thapassu with Rajendra Prasad where the complete movie was shot in Tirupati.

She was introduced to the Tamil film industry by director R. K. Selvamani with Chembaruthi, along with actor Prashanth. The movie was a hit and paved way for role in another success, Suriyan with Sarath Kumar. Both the films established her in Tamil cinema.[8] She became known for songs such as "Meloor Maman" in the film Makkal Aatchi with Mammootty and "Mastana Mastana" in Raasaiyya with Prabhu Deva. Her performance in films with actors such as Rajinikanth in Veera, Arjun Sarja in Ayudha Poojai and Prabhu in Thirupathi Ezhumalai Venkatesa were praised. Roja's major career breakthrough was in the film Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen, directed by Vikraman. In Telugu, she appeared in successful movies like Mutha Mestri, Mugguru Monagallu, Bhairava Dweepam, Bobbili Simham, Annamayya, Anna, Peddannayya, Kshemamga Velli Labhamga Randi, Subhalagnam, Sri Krishnarjuna Vijayam and Kalavida. Her 100th movie was Pottu Amman. Roja later appeared in supporting roles in films like Arasu (2003), Parijatham (2006), Shambo Shiva Shambo (2010), Golimar (2010), Mogudu (2011), Kodipunju (2011), Veera (2011), Kaavalan (2011) and Saguni (2012).

Political career[edit]

Roja joined Telugu Desam in 1999 and was the president of the Telugu Mahila wing of the Party.[9] She lost the 2009 AP State Elections. In August 2009, she quit TDP and joined YSR Congress Party when the party was established. In 2014 general elections, she won as an MLA from Nagari assembly constituency. She contested once again from Nagari assembly constituency in 2019 election. The results are announced and she won the seat again. She was appointed Chairperson of APIIC in 2020.

Despite Roja being an active speaker among women MLA's she was suspended from attending the legislative assembly for one year.[10][11] The decision was taken by majority in the legislative house, on 18 December 2015, and by the approval of the Speaker.[10][11] Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, leader of the opposition, opposed the suspension. There were several concerns on the procedure followed while suspending Roja. Such doubts made the opposition to move no-trust motion against the speaker.[12] An issue was raised by the opposition party on how the media clipping, property of the house, released and published on social media without the speaker's approval and the speaker also noted their concern and set up an inquiry to probe the issue further and submit a report by next meeting.[13]

Other work[edit]

Roja played anchor in a show named Modern Mahalakshmi before getting replaced by Anasuya. This show was telecasted on MAA TV.[14] She is one of the judges for the comedy shows Jabardasth and Extra Jabardasth. This show telecasts on E TV.[15] She hosted one show for Zee Tamizh called lucka kicka, which was a huge hit in Tamil Nadu.[16]

Personal life[edit]

Roja married Tamil film director R. K. Selvamani on 21 August 2002.[17] The couple have a daughter and a son.[18]

Roja had a penchant for hairdressing and it was evident as whenever she was on the sets she was seen hairdressing her peers like Devayani, Khushbu, Ranjitha and Mumtaz to name a few.[citation needed] According to Ramya Krishna, her friend and co-star, Roja is one of the few artists who can do their makeup themselves.[citation needed] Actress Mumtaz in an interview praised Roja's willingness and egoless attitude when she did her hair and make-up during a Singapore Film Show in 2003.[19]

Filmography[edit]

Tamil cinema[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1992 Chembaruthi Chembaruthi
Suriyan Usha
1993 Uzhaippali Vimala
1994 Athiradi Padai Bharathi
Indhu Indhu
Veera Rooba
Sarigamapadani Archana
1995 Engirundho Vandhan Radha
Raja Muthirai Priya
Asuran Parvathi
Raasaiyya Anita
Makkal Aatchi Sarasu
Ayudha Poojai Sindhamani
1996 Parambarai Paruvatham
Rajali Rani
Tamizh Selvan Fathima
1997 Vallal Roja
Adimai Changili Senthamarai
Pasamulla Pandiyare Revathi
Kadavul Parvathi
Arasiyal Supriya
1998 Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen Radha Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress[20][21]
Cinema Express Award for Best Actress – Tamil
En Aasai Rasave Nagajyoti
Veeram Vilanja Mannu Village Girl
Pudhumai Pithan Shenbagam
Kaadhal Kavithai Herself Special appearance
1999 Housefull Writer
Chinna Raja Radha
Nenjinile Herself Special appearance
Chinna Durai Pushpavalli
Suyamvaram Easwari
Mugam Malini
Ooty Charu
Thirupathi Ezhumalai Venkatesa Ragini
Azhagarsamy Suja
2000 Thirunelveli Thulasi's former lover
Eazhaiyin Sirippil Saroja
Sandhitha Velai Thilaka
Kandha Kadamba Kathir Vela Rupini
Koodi Vazhnthal Kodi Nanmai Tamizhselvi
Puratchikkaaran Kanimozhi
Independence Day
Pottu Amman Durga
2001 Looty Geetha
Nila Kaalam Veni
Sonnal Thaan Kaadhala Roja
Super Kudumbam Raakku
Viswanathan Ramamoorthy Meena
Maayan Azhagamma
Veettoda Mappillai Meena
Mitta Miraasu Meenakshi
Kottai Mariamman Kottai Mariamman
2002 Angala Parameswari Parvati
Shakalaka Baby Shenbagam (Shakalaka Baby)
2003 Arasu Sivagami
Success Raadhika
2005 Maayavi Herself Special appearance
Karagattakkari
2006 Pasa Kiligal Angayarkanni
Parijatham Sridhar's Mother
Kurukshetram Vaishnavi
2007 Kuttrapathirikai Geetha
Ninaithu Ninaithu Parthen Vikranth's mother
2008 Ellam Avan Seyal Jaggubai
2011 Kaavalan Devika Muthu Ramalingam
2012 Saguni Sreedevi's Mother
2013 Masani Rajeshwari
2014 Apple Penne Hamsavalli
2015 Killadi Angayarkanni
Pulan Visaranai 2 Saranya
En Vazhi Thani Vazhi Renuka Devi

Telugu cinema[edit]

Year Title Role (dubbed voice) Notes
1991 Prema Thapassu Muthyalu
Sarpayagam Anupama Special Jury-Nandi Award
1992 Seetharatnam Gari Abbayi Manga (Durga)
Attaku Koduku Mamaku Alludu Roja
Prema Vijetha
1993 Rakshana Special appearance
Atta Sommu Alludi Daanam Baby
Moggudugaru Roja
Mutha Mestri Kalpana
1994 Mugguru Monagallu Seetha
Bhairava Dweepam Princess Padmavathi
Gandeevam Roja
Bobbili Simham Krishnaveni (Saritha)
Anna Chandi Nandi award for Best Supporting Actress
Police Brothers Kanaka Durga
Subhalagnam Lata (Roja Ramani)
Roja Bharathi
1995 Big Boss Roja (Roja Ramani)
Illu Pelli Vani
Maatho Pettukoku Lata
Maya Bazaar Special appearance
Telugu Veera Levara Talupulamma
Pokiri Raja Chandramukhi
Ghatotkachudu Roja
1996 Topi Raja Sweety Roja Roja
Sri Krishnarjuna Vijayam Draupadi
Vajram Kuali
1997 Peddannayya Seeta
Adavilo Anna Rani
Annamayya Saluva Narasimha Rayalu's wife
1998 Sambhavam
Pelladi Chupistha
Swarnakka Swarnakka Nandi award for Best actress
Vaibhavam
Mee Aayana Jagratha Sundari
1999 Sultan Revathi
2000 Sammakka Sarakka Sarakka
Kshemamga Velli Labhamga Randi Geetha (Saritha)
Tirumala Tirupati Venkatesa Ragini (Shilpa)
2001 Family Circus Durga
Durga Durga
2002 Police Sisters ACP Jhansi
2010 Shambo Shiva Shambo Home Minister
Golimaar Arundathi
2011 Parama Veera Chakra Movie artist
Mogudu Politician Chamundeshwari
Kodipunju Sita Ratnam as Tanish's Mother
Veera Satya's mother
Sri Rama Rajyam Bhudevi
2012 Lucky Lucky's boss
2013 Pavitra Munna's mother [citation needed]
Sri Jagadguru Adi Shankara Goddess Lakshmi
Kamina
D/O Varma

Kannada cinema[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1993 Gadibidi Ganda Neelambari
1997 Kalavida Kavana
1999 Premotsava Bhavana
2000 Independence Day
Bharatha Naari
2001 Grama Devathe Parvati
Sundara Kanda
2002 Parva Sudha
2004 Maurya Meena

Malayalam cinema[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1997 Gangothri Nandana Menon
2002 Malayali Mamanu Vanakkam Parvathy
2015 Jamna Pyari Neelambari

Television[edit]

Year Title Role Language Channel Notes
2002–2003 Nathi Enge Pogirathu Sindhu Tamil Star Vijay TV Serial
2004 Uttarayana Jaya Gouri Kannada Udaya TV TV Serial
2010–2013 Modern Mahalakshmi Host Telugu Maa TV TV show
2011 Nachore Judge Zee Telugu TV show
2013–2022 Jabardasth Judge ETV Weekly
2014–2022 Extra Jabardasth Judge Weekly
2014–2015 Race Host Zee Telugu TV show
2015 Luckka Kikka : Genes Tamil Zee Tamil TV show
2015 Ragada : The Ultimate Dance Show Judge Telugu Tollywood TV Telugu TV show
2015–2016 Jabardast 31 : December Celebrations Judge ETV TV Programme
2016 Genes (season 2) Host Tamil Zee Tamil TV show
2016–2017 Racchabanda Host Telugu Gemini TV TV show
2016 Dasara Mahostavam Judge ETV Telugu TV Programme
2017 Pandem Kollu Judge TV Programme
2017 Ugadi 369 Judge TV Programme
2017 Junior Super Stars (season 2) Judge Tamil Zee Tamizh TV show
2017 Weekend with Stars Guest Zee Tamil Talk Show
2017 Konchem Touch Lo Unte Chepta (Season 3) Guest Telugu Zee Telugu TV show
2018 Bathuku Jatka Bandi Host TV show
2018 Aha Naa Pellanta Judge ETV Telugu TV Programme
2018 Rangasthalam Gemini TV TV Dance Show
2019 Lollupa Host Tamil Sun TV TV Programme
2019 Tasmath Jagratha Telugu Gemini TV Crime Patrol
2020 Amma Sarileru Nikevvaru TV Programme

Political statistics[edit]

Election results
Year Election Constituency Party Opponent Majority Result Ref.
2004 Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly election Nagari TDP Reddyvari Chenga Reddy(INC) 5,694 Lost [22]
2009 Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly election Chandragiri TDP Aruna Kumari Galla (INC) 10,980 Lost
2014 Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly election Nagari YSRCP Gali Muddu Krishnama Naidu (TDP) 858 Won [23]
2019 Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly election Nagari YSRCP Gali Bhanu Prakash (TDP) 2,708 Won [23]

Awards[edit]

Nandi Awards[24]
Tamil Nadu State Film Awards
Cinema Express Awards
Filmfare Award South

References[edit]

  1. ↑ "సినిమాల కోసం పేరు మార్చుకున్న స్టార్‌ హీరోయిన్లు". Sakshi (in తెలుగు). 30 September 2020. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  2. ↑ "Roja quits TDP, to join Congress soon". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  3. ↑ "Tamil Cinema news – 90's favourite tamil actress, she is famous in red clothe movie... Tamil Movies – Cinema seithigal". Maalaimalar.com. Retrieved 24 April 2017.
  4. ↑ "Watch Video: Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Roja requests PM Modi for selfie, he obliges". freepressjournal.in. 4 July 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  5. ↑ "Pradeep shines among ladies". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 24 April 2017.
  6. ↑ "Actress Roja officially quits film industry after going to the next level in politics". indiaglitz.com. 11 April 2022. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
  7. ↑ "Tamil Cinema news – Tamil Movies – Cinema seithigal". Maalaimalar.com. Archived from the original on 11 April 2013. Retrieved 24 April 2017.
  8. ↑ "Koffee with Anu". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 6 April 2007. Archived from the original on 10 April 2007. Retrieved 16 February 2010.
  9. ↑ "Roja likely to join Congress". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 31 August 2009. Archived from the original on 3 September 2009.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "1-yr suspension for MLA Roja". The Times of India. 19 December 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2017.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Actor Roja suspended from AP Assembly for a year". Deccan Herald. 19 December 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2017.
  12. ↑ "YSRC Gives No-trust Notice against Speaker". The New Indian Express. 24 December 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2017.
  13. ↑ "Telugu States Latest News,Andhra Pradesh News Latest, Telangana News Today, Tollywood News Today, Bigg Boss Updates, Hyderabad News, Breaking News, India News, Telugu NRI News | SakshiPost".
  14. ↑ "Anusuya to host Modern Mahalaxmi". The Times of India. 17 March 2014.
  15. ↑ "MLA Roja says she will prefer Jabardasth over politics – ApNewsCorNer". apnewscorner.com. 11 April 2022.
  16. ↑ "Luckka Kickka Season 2 – 03-01-2015 – Zee Tamil Official YouTube Video Luckka Kickka, Popular heroine ROJA is back with a bang hosting the new game… – Trailers and Teaser-Tamil – Pinterest – Teaser and Youtube". Pinterest.
  17. ↑ "News Today". Idlebrain. 23 August 2002. Retrieved 13 September 2022. Telugu actress Roja entered nuptial knot with Tamil director Selvamani today (21st August) at Tirumala.
  18. ↑ "From 'damsel in distress' to ruthless politician : The dramatic transformation of RK Roja". 10 June 2017.
  19. ↑ "http://www.8pmnews.com/index.php/news/headlines/happy-birthday-to-roja-selvamani"
  20. ↑ "dinakaran". 4 April 2007. Archived from the original on 4 April 2007.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 http://rrtd.nic.in/Film%20Bulletin-July.html [dead link]
  22. ↑ "Roja's journey from silver screen to Andhra Cabinet". The Economic Times. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 "Nagari Assembly Election Results 2019 Live: Nagari Constituency (Seat) Election Results, Live News". News18. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  24. ↑ "నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964–2008)" [A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964–2008)] (PDF). Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh. Retrieved 21 August 2020.(in Telugu)
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 "నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964–2008)" [A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964–2008)] (PDF). Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh (in Telugu). Retrieved 21 August 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  26. ↑ "నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964–2008)" [A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964–2008)] (PDF). Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh. Retrieved 21 August 2020.(in Telugu)
  27. ↑ "Dinakaran". Archived from the original on 4 April 2007.
  28. ↑ "Cinema Express awards presented". August 1999.

External links[edit]

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