Roja Selvamani Explained

R. K. Roja Selvamani
Office:Minister for Tourism,
Culture and Youth Advancement

Government of Andhra Pradesh
Governor:Biswabhusan Harichandan
S. Abdul Nazeer
1Blankname:Chief Minister
1Namedata:Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy
Term Start:11 April 2022
Term End:04 June 2024
Predecessor:Muttamsetti Srinivasa Rao
Successor:Kandula Durgesh Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy
Office3:Chairperson of Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation
Term Start3:15 July 2019
Term End3:17 July 2021
Successor3:Mettu Govinda Reddy
Office4:1st President of YSRCP Women's Wing
Term Start4:2015
Term End4:2021
1Blankname4:YSRCP President
1Namedata4:Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy
Predecessor4:Office Established
Successor4:Pothula Sunitha
Office5:Member of Legislative Assembly
Andhra Pradesh
Term Start5:19 June 2014
Term End5:04 June 2024
Predecessor5:Gali Muddu Krishnama Naidu
Successor5:Gali Bhanu Prakash
Constituency5:Nagari
Office6:3rd President of Telugu Mahila
United Andhra Pradesh
Term Start6:1999
Term End6:2009
1Blankname6:TDP President
1Namedata6:N. Chandrababu Naidu
Predecessor6:Nannapaneni Rajakumari
Successor6:Shobha Haymavathi
Birth Name:Sri Latha Reddy[1]
Birth Date:1974 11, df=yes
Birth Place:Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India
Spouse:[2]
Party:Yuvajana Shramika Rythu Congress Party
(2011 - present)
Otherparty:Telugu Desam Party
(1998 - 2009)
Indian National Congress
(2009 - 2011)[3]
Children:2
Awards:Nandi Awards
Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress
Cinema Express Awards

R. K. Roja Selvamani (born Sri Latha Reddy; 17 November 1974), is an Indian actress and politician.[4] She was served as Minister for Tourism, Culture and Youth Advancement of Andhra Pradesh since 11 April 2022 until a landslide defeat in 2024 assembly elections.[5] [6]

Roja was born in Tirupati to Nagaraja Reddy and Lalitha Reddy, she has two brothers by the name of Kumaraswamy Reddy and Ramaprasad Reddy. Roja was a leading and established actress in the Indian cinema featuring in multiple Tamil and Telugu films as a leading actress from the 1990s till 2000s and featured in blockbuster films such as Chembaruthi (1992), Sarpayagam (1992), Anna (1994) and Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen (1998) in which she won multiple awards such as the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress and the Nandi Awards for her film performances.

Roja became the Minister for Tourism Culture and Youth Advancement for the Government of Andhra Pradesh in April 2022.

Early life

Roja was born as Sri Latha Reddy on 17 November 1974 to Nagaraja Reddy and Lalitha in Tirupati, Tirupati district, Andhra Pradesh. She has 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.

Career

Film career

Roja entered the film industry with Telugu film Prema Thapassu with Rajendra Prasad. The entire 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

Roja joined Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in 1998 and was the president of the Telugu Mahila wing of the Party.[9] In the 2004 Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly elections, she contested from the Nagari assembly constituency but did not emerge victorious. In 2009 Indian general election, Roja ran for the Chandragiri Assembly constituency but faced another defeat, this time against Aruna Kumari Galla. In the same year she left TDP and joined the Indian National Congress, which was led by Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy at the time.[10] Following the passing of Rajasekhara Reddy, his son, Jagan Mohan Reddy, decided to part ways with the Congress and established the YSR Congress Party.[11] In response to these developments, Roja made the decision to leave the Congress and joined the YSRCP. In 2014 assembly elections, she won as an MLA from Nagari assembly constituency. She contested once again from Nagari in 2019 assembly election and won the seat again. In 2020, she assumed the role of Chairperson of APIIC. Then, in 2022 she was appointed as the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Youth Advancement portfolio.[12]

Despite Roja being an active speaker among women MLAs, she was suspended from attending the legislative assembly for one year.[13] [14] The decision was taken by majority in the legislative house, on 18 December 2015, and by the approval of the Speaker.[13] [14] 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.[15] 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.[16]

Electoral history

S.NoYearElectionConstituencyPartyVotesVote %MarginResult
12004Andhra Pradesh Legislative AssemblyNagari59,86746.4%- 5,694
2200960,96235.68%- 10,980
32014Nagari73,92447.23%+ 858
4201980,333 47.60%+ 2,708
5202462,79335.17%- 45,004

Other work

Roja was the anchor of a show named Modern Mahalakshmi before getting replaced by Anasuya. This show was telecast on MAA TV.[17] She is one of the judges for the comedy shows Jabardasth and Extra Jabardasth. These shows are telecast on ETV.[18] She hosted one show for Zee Tamizh called lucka kicka, which was a huge hit in Tamil Nadu.[19]

Personal life

Roja married Tamil film director R. K. Selvamani on 21 August 2002.[20] The couple has a daughter and a son.[21]

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. According to Ramya Krishna, her friend and co-star, Roja is one of the few artists who can do their makeup themselves.

Filmography

Tamil cinema

YearTitleRoleNotes
1992 Chembaruthi Chembaruthi
Suriyan Usha
1993 Uzhaippali Vimala
1994 Athiradi Padai Bharathi
Indhu Indhu
Veera Rubakala
Sarigamapadani Archana
1995 Engirundho Vandhan Radha
Raja MuthiraiPriya
Asuran Parvathi 25th film
Raasaiyya Anitha
Makkal Aatchi Sarasu
Ayudha Poojai Sindhamani
1996 Parambarai Paruvatham
Rajali Rani
Tamizh Selvan Fathima
1997 Vallal Madhavi
Adimai Changili Senthamarai
Pasamulla Pandiyare Revathi
Kadavul Parvathi 50th film
Arasiyal Supriya
1998 Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen Radha Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress[22] [23]
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 75th film
Chinna Raja Radha
Nenjinile Herself Special appearance
Chinna Durai Pushpavalli
Suyamvaram Easwari
Mugam Malini
Ooty Charu
Thirupathi Ezhumalai Venkatesa Ragini
Azhagarsamy Suja
2000 Thirunelveli Valli
Eazhaiyin Sirippil Saroja
Sandhitha Velai Thilaka
Kandha Kadamba Kathir Vela Rupini
Koodi Vazhnthal Kodi Nanmai Tamizhselvi
Puratchikkaaran Kanimozhi
Independence Day Asha
Pottu Amman Durga 100th film
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
Shakalaka Baby Shenbagam (Shakalaka Baby)
2003 Arasu Sivagami
Success Radhika
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 125th film
2015 Killadi Angayarkanni
Pulan Visaranai 2 Saranya
En Vazhi Thani Vazhi Renuka Devi

Telugu cinema

YearTitleRole (dubbed voice)Notes
1991 Prema ThapassuMuthyalu
SarpayagamAnupama Special Jury-Nandi Award
1992 Seetharatnam Gari AbbayiManga (Durga)
Atta Sommu Alludi DaanamBaby
Prema Vijetha
1993 RakshanaSpecial appearance
Attaku Koduku Mamaku AlluduRoja
Illu Pelli
Nakshatra Poratam
MoggudugaruRoja
Mutha MestriKalpana
1994 Mugguru MonagalluSeetha
Bhairava DweepamPrincess Padmavathi
GandeevamRoja
Bobbili SimhamKrishnaveni (Saritha)
AnnaChandi Nandi award for Best Supporting Actress
Police BrothersKanaka Durga
SubhalagnamLata (Roja Ramani)
RojaBharathi
1995 Big BossRoja (Roja Ramani)
Maatho PettukokuLata
Maya BazaarSpecial appearance
Telugu Veera LevaraTalupulamma
VajramKuali
Pokiri RajaChandramukhi
GhatotkachuduRoja
1996 Topi Raja Sweety RojaRoja
Rayudugaru Nayudugaru
Sri Krishnarjuna VijayamDraupadi
1997 PeddannayyaSeeta
Adavilo AnnaRani
AnnamayyaSaluva Narasimha Rayalu's wife
1998 Sambhavam
Pelladi Chupistha
SwarnakkaSwarnakka Nandi award for Best actress
Vaibhavam
Mee Aayana JagrathaSundari
1999 SultanRevathi
2000 Sammakka SarakkaSarakka
Kshemamga Velli Labhamga RandiGeetha (Saritha)
Tirumala Tirupati VenkatesaRagini (Shilpa)
2001 Family CircusDurga
DurgaDurga
2002 Police SistersACP Jhansi
2010 Shambo Shiva ShamboHome Minister
GolimaarArundathi
2011 Parama Veera ChakraMovie artist
MoguduPolitician Chamundeshwari
KodipunjuSita Ratnam as Tanish's Mother
VeeraSatya's mother
Sri Rama Rajyam
2012 LuckyLucky's boss
2013 PavitraMunna's mother
Sri Jagadguru Adi ShankaraGoddess Lakshmi
Kamina
D/O Varma

Kannada cinema

YearTitleRoleNotes
1993 Gadibidi GandaNeelambari
1997 KalavidaKavana
1999 PremotsavaBhavana
2000 Independence Day
Bharatha Naari
2001 Grama DevatheParvati
Sundara Kanda
2002 ParvaSudha
2004 MauryaMeena

Malayalam cinema

YearTitleRoleNotes
1997 GangothriNandana Menon
2002 Malayali Mamanu VanakkamParvathy
2015Jamna PyariNeelambari

Television

Year Title Role Language Channel Notes
2002–2003Nathi Enge PogirathuSindhu TamilStar VijayTV Serial
2004UttarayanaJaya GouriKannadaUdaya TVTV Serial
2010–2013 Modern MahalakshmiHostTeluguMaa TVTV show
2011NachoreJudge Zee TeluguTV show
2013–2022JabardasthJudgeETVWeekly
2014–2022Extra JabardasthJudgeWeekly
2014–2015 RaceHostZee TeluguTV show
2015Luckka Kikka : GenesTamilZee TamilTV show
2015Ragada : The Ultimate Dance ShowJudgeTeluguTollywood TV TeluguTV show
2015–2016Jabardast 31 : December CelebrationsJudgeETVTV Programme
2016Genes (season 2)HostTamilZee TamilTV show
2016–2017RacchabandaHostTeluguGemini TVTV show
2016Dasara MahostavamJudgeETV TeluguTV Programme
2017Pandem KolluJudgeTV Programme
2017Ugadi 369JudgeTV Programme
2017Junior Super Stars (season 2)JudgeTamilZee TamizhTV show
2017Weekend with StarsGuestZee TamilTalk Show
2017Konchem Touch Lo Unte Chepta (Season 3)GuestTeluguZee TeluguTV show
2018Bathuku Jatka BandiHostTV show
2018Aha Naa PellantaJudgeETV TeluguTV Programme
2018RangasthalamGemini TVTV Dance Show
2019LollupaHostTamilSun TVTV Programme
2019Tasmath JagrathaTeluguGemini TVCrime Patrol
2020Amma Sarileru NikevvaruTV Programme

Political statistics

Election results!Year!Election!Constituency!Party!Opponent!Majority!Result!
2004Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly electionNagariTDPReddyvari Chenga Reddy(INC)5,694Rowspan=2 [24]
2009Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly electionChandragiriTDPAruna Kumari Galla (INC)10,980
2014Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly electionNagariYSRCPGali Muddu Krishnama Naidu (TDP)858[25]
2019Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly electionNagariYSRCPGali Bhanu Prakash (TDP)2,708
2024Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly electionNagariYSRCPGali Bhanu Prakash (TDP)45,004

Awards

Nandi Awards[26]
Cinema Express Awards

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 30 September 2020 . సినిమాల కోసం పేరు మార్చుకున్న స్టార్‌ హీరోయిన్లు . 9 January 2021 . Sakshi . te.
  2. Web site: Tamil Cinema news – 90's favourite tamil actress, she is famous in red clothe movie... Tamil Movies – Cinema seithigal . Maalaimalar.com . 24 April 2017.
  3. Web site: Roja quits TDP, to join Congress soon . 20 October 2022 . The New Indian Express.
  4. Web site: Watch Video: Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Roja requests PM Modi for selfie, he obliges . freepressjournal.in . 4 July 2022 . 14 July 2022.
  5. Web site: Actress Roja officially quits film industry after going to the next level in politics . indiaglitz.com . 11 April 2022 . 11 April 2022.
  6. Web site: Service . Express News . 2022-04-14 . New Minister for Tourism RK Roja vows to make Andhra a tourism hub . 2024-05-16 . The New Indian Express . en.
  7. Web site: Tamil Cinema news – Tamil Movies – Cinema seithigal . Maalaimalar.com . 24 April 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130411080654/http://cinema.maalaimalar.com/2013/04/08230903/srilatha-become-roja-barathira.html . 11 April 2013 . dead.
  8. News: Koffee with Anu . https://web.archive.org/web/20070410052352/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2007/04/06/stories/2007040601280800.htm . dead . 10 April 2007 . 6 April 2007 . 16 February 2010 . . Chennai, India.
  9. News: 31 August 2009 . Roja likely to join Congress . . Chennai, India . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090903121735/http://www.hindu.com/2009/08/31/stories/2009083150180100.htm . 3 September 2009.
  10. News: 2022-04-12 . Roja's journey from silver screen to Andhra Cabinet . The Economic Times . 2023-09-17 . 0013-0389.
  11. Web site: Roja quits TDP, to join Congress soon . 2023-09-17 . The New Indian Express.
  12. Web site: Staff . T. N. M. . 2022-04-11 . Actor Roja breaks myth of ‘Iron leg’ after becoming Andhra minister . 2023-09-17 . The News Minute . en.
  13. News: 1-yr suspension for MLA Roja . The Times of India . 19 December 2015 . 24 April 2017.
  14. Web site: Actor Roja suspended from AP Assembly for a year . Deccan Herald . 19 December 2015 . 24 April 2017.
  15. Web site: YSRC Gives No-trust Notice against Speaker . https://web.archive.org/web/20151224203513/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra_pradesh/YSRC-Gives-No-trust-Notice-against-Speaker/2015/12/24/article3193603.ece . dead . 24 December 2015 . 24 December 2015 . The New Indian Express . 24 April 2017.
  16. Web site: 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.
  17. News: Anusuya to host Modern Mahalaxmi . The Times of India. 17 March 2014 .
  18. Web site: MLA Roja says she will prefer Jabardasth over politics – ApNewsCorNer . apnewscorner.com . 11 April 2022 . 4 August 2018 . 24 June 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190624075705/http://www.apnewscorner.com/news/film/details/16208/latest/MLA-Roja-says-she-will-prefer-Jabardasth-over-politics.html . dead .
  19. Web site: 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.
  20. Web site: 23 August 2002 . News Today . 13 September 2022 . . Telugu actress Roja entered nuptial knot with Tamil director Selvamani today (21st August) at Tirumala..
  21. Web site: From 'damsel in distress' to ruthless politician : The dramatic transformation of RK Roja . 10 June 2017.
  22. Web site: dinakaran . https://web.archive.org/web/20070404023849/http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/highlights/2000pa2/2000-2.htm . dead . 4 April 2007 . 4 April 2007.
  23. Web site: Archived copy . 11 May 2017 . 30 April 2003 . https://web.archive.org/web/20030430210643/http://rrtd.nic.in/Film%20Bulletin-July.html . dead .
  24. News: Roja's journey from silver screen to Andhra Cabinet . The Economic Times . 20 October 2022.
  25. Web site: Nagari Assembly Election Results 2019 Live: Nagari Constituency (Seat) Election Results, Live News. . 3 February 2022 . News18.
  26. Web site: నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964–2008) . A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964–2008) . . 21 August 2020. (in Telugu)
  27. Web site: నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964–2008) . A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964–2008) . . 21 August 2020 . Telugu.
  28. Web site: నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964–2008). A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964–2008). Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh. 21 August 2020. (in Telugu)
  29. Web site: Dinakaran. https://web.archive.org/web/20070404023849/http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/highlights/2000pa2/2000-2.htm . 4 April 2007 .
  30. Web site: Cinema Express awards presented . August 1999.