Roja (actress)

From Bharatpedia, an open encyclopedia


Roja
Actress Roja.jpg
Roja at an interview with Sakshi TV in 2017
Chairperson of Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation
In office
9 July 2019 – 17 July 2021
Vice ChairmanK. Raveen Kumar Reddy
Preceded byP. Krishnaiah
Succeeded byM. 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 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
Spouse(s)
(
m. 2002)
[2]
Children2
Occupation
  • Film actress
  • producer
  • television host
  • politician
AwardsNandi awards
Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress
Cinema Express Awards

Roja (born Sri Latha Reddy; 17 November 1972), also known as Roja Selvamani or R.K. Roja, is an Indian politician and film actress. 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.[3] She won three Nandi Awards.In 1999 she entered into politics and currently aligns with the YSR Congress Party. She was elected as an MLA from Nagari in Andhra Pradesh in 2014. She is currently working as YSR Congress Party state Women President. She again contested from Nagari assembly constituency in the 2019 election and won. She was later appointed as Chairman of APIIC.

Early life[edit]

Roja was born as Sri Latha Reddy on 17 November 1972 to Nagaraja Reddy and Lalitha in Tirupati, Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh. She was the only girl with two brothers Kumaraswamy Reddy and Ramaprasad Reddy.[4] 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.[5]

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.[6] 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.[7] 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 as Chairman APIIC in 2020.

Despite Roja being an active speaker among women MLA's she was suspended from attending the legislative assembly for one year.[8][9] The decision was taken by majority in the legislative house, on 18 December 2015, and by the approval of the Speaker.[8][9] 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.[10] 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.[11]

Other work[edit]

Roja played anchor in a show named Modern Mahalakshmi before getting replaced by Anasuya. This show was telecasted on MAA TV.[12] She is one of the judges for the comedy shows Jabardasth and Extra Jabardasth. This show telecasts on E TV.[13] She hosted one show for Zee Tamizh called lucka kicka, which was a huge hit in Tamil Nadu.[14]

Personal life[edit]

Roja married Tamil film director R. K. Selvamani on 10 August 2002. The couple have a daughter and a son.[15]

Roja had a penchant for an 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.[16]

Elections contested and positions held[edit]

Andhra Pradesh Legislative elections[edit]

Assembly elections 2014[edit]

Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly election, 2014: Nagari
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
YSRCP R.K Roja 73,924 47.23
TDP Gali Muddu Krishnama Naidu 73,866 46.69
Majority 858 0.54
Turnout 1,58,201 85.24
YSRCP gain from TDP Swing

Assembly elections 2019[edit]

Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly election, 2019: Nagari
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
YSRCP R.K Roja 80,333 47.6
TDP Gali Bhanu Prakash 77,625 46
BSP Nagaboina Pravallika Yadav 3,044 1.8
INC Pochareddy Rakesh Reddy 3,357 1.99
BJP M.Nishitha 1,352 0.8
Majority 2,708 +1.64
Turnout 1,68,764 86.22
YSRCP hold Swing

Filmography[edit]

Tamil cinema[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1992 Chembaruthi Chembaruthi
1992 Suriyan Usha
1993 Uzhaippali Vimala
1994 Athiradi Padai Bharathi
1994 Indhu Indhu
1994 Veera Rooba
1994 Sarigamapadani Archana
1995 Engirundho Vandhan Radha
1995 Raja Muthirai Priya
1995 Asuran Parvathi
1995 Raasaiyya Anita
1995 Makkal Aatchi Sarasu
1995 Ayudha Poojai Sindhamani
1996 Parambarai Paruvatham
1996 Rajali Rani
1996 Tamizh Selvan Fathima
1997 Vallal Roja
1997 Adimai Changili Senthamarai
1997 Pasamulla Pandiyare Revathi
1997 Kadavul Parvathi
1997 Arasiyal Supriya
1998 Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen Radha Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress[17][18]
Cinema Express Award for Best Actress – Tamil
1998 En Aasai Rasave Nagajyoti
1998 Veeram Vilanja Mannu Village Girl
1998 Pudhumai Pithan Shenbagam
1998 Kaadhal Kavithai Herself Special appearance
1999 Housefull Writer
1999 Chinna Raja Radha
1999 Nenjinile Herself Special appearance
1999 Chinna Durai Pushpavalli
1999 Suyamvaram Easwari
1999 Mugam Malini
1999 Ooty Charu
1999 Thirupathi Ezhumalai Venkatesa Ragini
1999 Azhagarsamy Suja
2000 Thirunelveli Thulasi's former lover
2000 Eazhaiyin Sirippil Saroja
2000 Sandhitha Velai Thilaka
2000 Kandha Kadamba Kathir Vela Rupini
2000 Koodi Vazhnthal Kodi Nanmai Tamizhselvi
2000 Puratchikkaaran Kanimozhi
2000 Independence Day
2000 Pottu Amman Durga
2001 Looty Geetha
2001 Nila Kaalam Veni
2001 Sonnal Thaan Kaadhala Roja
2001 Super Kudumbam Raakku
2001 Viswanathan Ramamoorthy Meena
2001 Maayan Azhagamma
2001 Veettoda Mappillai Meena
2001 Mitta Miraasu Meenakshi
2001 Kottai Mariamman Kottai Mariamman
2002 Angala Parameswari Parvati
2002 Shakalaka Baby Shenbagam (Shakalaka Baby)
2003 Arasu Sivagami
2003 Success Raadhika
2005 Maayavi Herself Special appearance
2005 Karagattakkari
2006 Pasa Kiligal Angayarkanni
2006 Parijatham Sridhar's Mother
2006 Kurukshetram Vaishnavi
2007 Kuttrapathirikai Geetha
2007 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
2015 Pulan Visaranai 2 Saranya
2015 En Vazhi Thani Vazhi Renuka Devi

Telugu cinema[edit]

Year Title Role (Dubbed Voice) Notes
1991 Sarpayaagaam Anupama Special Jury-Nandi Award
1991 Prema Thapassu Mutyalu
1992 Seetharatnam Gari Abbayi Manga (Roja Ramani)
1992 Ataaku Koduku Mamaku Alludu Roja
1992 Prema Vijetha
1993 Rakshana Special appearance
1993 Atta Sommu Alludi Daanam Baby
1993 Mogudugaru Roja
1993 Mutha Mestri Kalpana
1994 Mugguru Monagallu Seeta geethika
1994 Bhairava Dweepam Princess Padmavathi
1994 Gandeevam Roja
1994 Bobbili Simham Krishnaveni (Saritha)
1994 Anna Chandi Nandi award for Best Supporting Actress
1994 Police Brothers Kanaka Durga
1994 Subhalagnam Lata (Roja Ramani)
1994 Roja Bharathi
1995 Big Boss Roja (Roja Ramani)
1995 Illu Pelli Vani
1995 Maato Pettukoku Lata
1995 Maya Bazaar Special appearance
1995 Telugu Veera Levaraa Talupulamma
1995 Pokiri Raja Chandramukhi
1995 Ghatotkachudu Roja
1996 Topi Raja Sweety Roja Roja
1996 Sri Krishnarjuna Vijayam Draupadi
1996 Vajram Kuali
1997 Peddannayya Seeta
1997 Adavilo Anna Rani
1997 Annamayya Saluva Narasimha Rayalu's wife
1998 Sambhavam
1998 Pelladi Chupistha
1998 Swarnakka Swarnakka Nandi award for Best actress
1998 Vaibhavam
1998 Mee Aayana Jagratha Sundari
1999 Sultan Revathi
2000 Kshemamga Velli Labhamga Randi Geetha (Saritha)
2000 Tirumala Tirupati Venkatesa Ragini (Shilpa)
2001 Family Circus Durga
2001 Durga Durga
2002 Police Sisters ACP Jhansi
2008 Sammakka Saarakka Saarakka
2010 Shambo Shiva Shambo Home Minister
2010 Golimaar Arundathi
2011 Parama Veera Chakra Movie artist
2011 Mogudu Politician Chamundeshwari
2011 Kodipunju Sitaratnam, Tanish's Mother
2011 Veera Satya's mother
2011 Sri Rama Rajyam Bhudevi
2012 Lucky Lucky's boss
2013 Pavitra Munna's mother [19]
2013 Jagadguru Adi Shankara Goddess Lakshmi
2013 Kamina
2013 D/O Varma

Malayalam cinema[edit]

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

Kannada cinema[edit]

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

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–present Jabardasth Judge E TV Weekly
2014–present Extra Jabardasth Judge Weekly
2014–2015 Race Host Zee Telugu TV Show
2015 Luckka Kikka : Genes Tamil Zee Tamil Weekly
2015 Ragada : The Ultimate Dance Show Judge Telugu Tollywood TV Telugu TV Show
2015–2016 Jabardast 31 : December Celebrations Judge ETV Telugu TV Programme
2016 Genes (Season 2) Host Tamil Zee Tamil Weekly
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

Awards[edit]

Nandi Awards[20]
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. "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.
  3. "Pradeep shines among ladies". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 24 April 2017.
  4. "Tamil Cinema news – Tamil Movies – Cinema seithigal". Maalaimalar.com. Retrieved 24 April 2017.
  5. "Roja Profile, Height, Age, Family, Husband, Affairs, Wiki, Biography & More". 30 May 2019.
  6. "Koffee with Anu". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 6 April 2007. Archived from the original on 10 April 2007. Retrieved 16 February 2010.
  7. "Roja likely to join Congress". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 31 August 2009. Archived from the original on 3 September 2009.
  8. 8.0 8.1 "1-yr suspension for MLA Roja – Times of India". IndiaTimes.com. Retrieved 24 April 2017.
  9. 9.0 9.1 "Actor Roja suspended from AP Assembly for a year". DeccanHerald.com. 19 December 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2017.
  10. "YSRC Gives No-trust Notice against Speaker". NewIndianExpress.com. 24 December 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2017.
  11. "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".
  12. "Anusuya to host Modern Mahalaxmi – Times of India".
  13. "MLA Roja says she will prefer Jabardasth over politics – ApNewsCorNer". apnewscorner.com.
  14. "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.
  15. "From 'damsel in distress' to ruthless politician : The dramatic transformation of RK Roja". 10 June 2017.
  16. "http://www.8pmnews.com/index.php/news/headlines/happy-birthday-to-roja-selvamani"
  17. "dinakaran". 4 April 2007. Archived from the original on 4 April 2007.
  18. http://rrtd.nic.in/Film%20Bulletin-July.html
  19. "Shriya starrer Pavitra to release in March". 123telugu.com. Archived from the original on 6 January 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  20. "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)
  21. "నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964–2008)" [A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964–2008)] (PDF) (in Telugu). Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh. Retrieved 21 August 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  22. Google Discussiegroepen
  23. "నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964–2008)" [A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964–2008)] (PDF) (in Telugu). Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh. Retrieved 21 August 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  24. "Dinakaran". Archived from the original on 4 April 2007.
  25. http://rrtd.nic.in/Film%20Bulletin-July.html
  26. "Cinema Express awards presented". August 1999.

External links[edit]

Template:TamilNaduStateAwardForBestActress

Information red.svg
Scan the QR code to donate via UPI
Dear reader, We kindly request your support in maintaining the independence of Bharatpedia. As a non-profit organization, we rely heavily on small donations to sustain our operations and provide free access to reliable information to the world. We would greatly appreciate it if you could take a moment to consider donating to our cause, as it would greatly aid us in our mission. Your contribution would demonstrate the importance of reliable and trustworthy knowledge to you and the world. Thank you.

Please select an option below or scan the QR code to donate
₹150 ₹500 ₹1,000 ₹2,000 ₹5,000 ₹10,000 Other