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Roja Selvamani

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R. K. Roja Selvamani
Roja at an interview with Sakshi TV
Minister for Tourism,
Culture and Youth Advancement
Government of Andhra Pradesh
In office
11 April 2022 – 4 June 2024
GovernorBiswabhusan Harichandan
S. Abdul Nazeer
Chief MinisterY. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy
Preceded byMuttamsetti Srinivasa Rao
Succeeded byKandula Durgesh Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy
Chairperson of Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation
In office
15 July 2019 – 17 July 2021
Succeeded byMettu Govinda Reddy
1st President of YSRCP Women's Wing
In office
2015–2021
YSRCP PresidentY. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy
Preceded byOffice Established
Succeeded byPothula Sunitha
Member of Legislative Assembly
Andhra Pradesh
In office
19 June 2014 – 4 June 2024
Preceded byGali Muddu Krishnama Naidu
Succeeded byGali Bhanu Prakash
ConstituencyNagari
3rd President of Telugu Mahila
United Andhra Pradesh
In office
1999–2009
TDP PresidentN. Chandrababu Naidu
Preceded byNannapaneni Rajakumari
Succeeded byShobha Haymavathi
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)
Indian National Congress
(2009 - 2011)[2]
Spouse
​
(m. 2002)​
[3]
Children2
Occupation
  • Actress
  • Politician
AwardsNandi Awards
Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress
Cinema Express Awards

R. K. Roja Selvamani (born Sri Latha Reddy; 17 November 1972), is an Indian politician and former actress.[4] She 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]

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

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Roja was born as Sri Latha Reddy on 17 November 1972 to Nagaraja Reddy and Lalitha in Tirupati, Tirupati district, Andhra Pradesh. She has two brothers, Kumaraswamy Reddy and Ramaprasad Reddy.[6] 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

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Film career

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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.[7] 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

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Roja joined Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in 1998 and was the president of the Telugu Mahila wing of the Party.[8] 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.[9] Following the passing of Rajasekhara Reddy, his son, Jagan Mohan Reddy, decided to part ways with the Congress and established the YSR Congress Party.[10] 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.[11]

Despite Roja being an active speaker among women MLAs, she was suspended from attending the legislative assembly for one year.[12][13] The decision was taken by majority in the legislative house, on 18 December 2015, and by the approval of the Speaker.[12][13] 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.[14] 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.[15]

Electoral history

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S.No Year Election Constituency Party Votes Vote % Margin Result
1 2004 Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly Nagari   TDP 59,867 46.4% - 5,694 Lost
2 2009 Chandragiri 60,962 35.68% - 10,980 Lost
3 2014 Nagari   YSRCP 73,924 47.23% + 858 Won
4 2019 80,333 47.60% + 2,708 Won
5 2024 62,793 35.17% - 45,004 Lost

Other work

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Roja was the anchor of a show named Modern Mahalakshmi before getting replaced by Anasuya. This show was telecast on MAA TV.[16] She is one of the judges for the comedy shows Jabardasth and Extra Jabardasth. These shows are telecast on ETV.[17] She hosted one show for Zee Tamizh called lucka kicka, which was a huge hit in Tamil Nadu.[18]

Personal life

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Roja married Tamil film director R. K. Selvamani on 21 August 2002.[19] The couple has a daughter and a son.[20]

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]

Filmography

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Tamil cinema

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Year Title Role Notes
1992 Chembaruthi Chembaruthi
Suriyan Usha
1993 Uzhaippali Vimala
1994 Athiradi Padai Bharathi
Indhu Indhu
Veera Rubakala
Sarigamapadani Archana
1995 Engirundho Vandhan Radha
Raja Muthirai Priya
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[21][22]
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 Parvati
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

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Year Title Role (dubbed voice) Notes
1991 Prema Thapassu Muthyalu
Sarpayagam Anupama Special Jury-Nandi Award
1992 Seetharatnam Gari Abbayi Manga (Durga)
Atta Sommu Alludi Daanam Baby
Prema Vijetha
1993 Rakshana Special appearance
Attaku Koduku Mamaku Alludu Roja
Illu Pelli
Nakshatra Poratam
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)
Maatho Pettukoku Lata
Maya Bazaar Special appearance
Telugu Veera Levara Talupulamma
Vajram Kuali
Pokiri Raja Chandramukhi
Ghatotkachudu Roja
1996 Topi Raja Sweety Roja Roja
Rayudugaru Nayudugaru
Sri Krishnarjuna Vijayam Draupadi
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

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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

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

Television

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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

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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 [23]
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 [24]
2019 Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly election Nagari YSRCP Gali Bhanu Prakash (TDP) 2,708 Won
2024 Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly election Nagari YSRCP Gali Bhanu Prakash (TDP) 45,004 Lost [24]

Awards

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Nandi Awards[25]
Tamil Nadu State Film Awards
Cinema Express Awards
Filmfare Award South

References

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  1. ^ "సినిమాల కోసం పేరు మార్చుకున్న స్టార్‌ హీరోయిన్లు". Sakshi (in Telugu). 30 September 2020. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  2. ^ "Roja quits TDP, to join Congress soon". The New Indian Express. 16 May 2012. 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. ^ Service, Express News (14 April 2022). "New Minister for Tourism RK Roja vows to make Andhra a tourism hub". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  6. ^ "Tamil Cinema news – Tamil Movies – Cinema seithigal". Maalaimalar.com. Archived from the original on 11 April 2013. Retrieved 24 April 2017.
  7. ^ "Koffee with Anu". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 6 April 2007. Archived from the original on 10 April 2007. Retrieved 16 February 2010.
  8. ^ "Roja likely to join Congress". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 31 August 2009. Archived from the original on 3 September 2009.
  9. ^ "Roja's journey from silver screen to Andhra Cabinet". The Economic Times. 12 April 2022. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  10. ^ "Roja quits TDP, to join Congress soon". The New Indian Express. 16 May 2012. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  11. ^ "Actor Roja breaks myth of 'Iron leg' after becoming Andhra minister". The News Minute. 11 April 2022. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  12. ^ a b "1-yr suspension for MLA Roja". The Times of India. 19 December 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2017.
  13. ^ a b "Actor Roja suspended from AP Assembly for a year". Deccan Herald. 19 December 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2017.
  14. ^ "YSRC Gives No-trust Notice against Speaker". The New Indian Express. 24 December 2015. Archived from the original on 24 December 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2017.
  15. ^ "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".
  16. ^ "Anusuya to host Modern Mahalaxmi". The Times of India. 17 March 2014.
  17. ^ "MLA Roja says she will prefer Jabardasth over politics – ApNewsCorNer". apnewscorner.com. 11 April 2022. Archived from the original on 24 June 2019. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  18. ^ "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.
  19. ^ "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.
  20. ^ "From 'damsel in distress' to ruthless politician : The dramatic transformation of RK Roja". 10 June 2017.
  21. ^ "dinakaran". 4 April 2007. Archived from the original on 4 April 2007.
  22. ^ a b "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 30 April 2003. Retrieved 11 May 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  23. ^ "Roja's journey from silver screen to Andhra Cabinet". The Economic Times. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  24. ^ a b "Nagari Assembly Election Results 2019 Live: Nagari Constituency (Seat) Election Results, Live News". News18. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  25. ^ "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)
  26. ^ a b "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.
  27. ^ "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)
  28. ^ "Dinakaran". Archived from the original on 4 April 2007.
  29. ^ "Cinema Express awards presented". August 1999.
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