Rohini Molleti, known professionally as Rohini, is an Indian actress, screenwriter, dubbing artist, and lyricist. She has mainly acted in Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu films along with few Kannada films. Having started her acting career at five, she has about 130 films to her credit. She received National Film Award – Special Mention and Andhra Pradesh state Nandi Special Jury Award for Best Performance as Rangi in the 1995 film Stri.
Early life A native of Anakapalli in Andhra Pradesh, Rohini spent all her childhood in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Her father, Appa Rao Naidu, was a panchayat officer and her mother, Radha, was a housewife. Her father always wanted to become an actor, though he could not be an actor owing to various reasons; he encouraged Rohini to become an actress.
Personal life Her brother Balaji is also an actor. Rohini married actor Raghuvaran in 1996 but divorced in 2004. They have one son, Rishi.
Career
She started her career in 1974 as a child actress. She was first seen as a wide-eyed five-year old in Yasodha Krishna (1975), a Telugu film. She is also a dubbing artist in the Telugu and Tamil film industries. She has voiced six characters in five of Mani Ratnam's films.
She has dubbed for actresses like Girija Shettar (Geethanjali), Amala (Siva), Manisha Koirala (Bombay and Indian) Aishwarya Rai (Iruvar and Raavanan), as well as Jyothika (Perazhagan and Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu). She wrote lyrics for the Tamil film Pachaikili Muthucharam (2007), before ending another hiatus by writing all songs in the album, Maalai Pozhudhin Mayakathilaey (2012).
She writes episodes for Tamil TV serials. She started writing scripts for TV series way back in 1996, and has adapted the Sahithya Academy Award winning novel Verukku Neer for a tele film in 2005. She hosted the live TV talk show Kelvigal Aayiram for Vijay TV, which she said "dealt with issues close to my heart". She moderated the Tamil programme Azhagiya Tamizh Magal on Kalaignar TV and has worked as the anchor of Raj TV's show, Rohini's Box Office in which she reviewed the latest releases.
Being an activist for AIDS awareness, Rohini has also directed short films for M.G.R. Medical University and Tamil Nadu Aids Control Society. In 2008, Rohini had directed a 50-minute documentary Silent Hues about film industry's Child actress, she being one herself. In 2012, she has directed a feature film titled Appavin Meesai which is yet to be released.
Awards 1995 – National Film Award – Special Mention – Stri 1995 – Nandi Award for Special Jury Best Performance – Stri 2017 – Vanitha Film Awards – Best Supporting Actress (Guppy, Action Hero Biju) 2017 – CPC Awards for Best Supporting Actress (Guppy, Action Hero Biju)
Filmography Rohini has mainly acted in Malayalam, Telugu, and Tamil films along with a few Kannada films. Having started her acting career at five, she has about 130 South Indian films to her credit.
As actress + List of Rohini film acting credits Year Title Role Language Other notes1974 Harathi Telugu Child actress Aadambaralu Anubandalu Intinti Katha 1975 Yashoda Krishna Krishna Amma Naana Bhagasthulu Anna Thammulla Anubandam Balipeetam Raktha Sambandalu Samsaram Challani Thalli Bharathi 1976 Bhakta Kannappa Mayor Meenakshi Secretary Mahakavi Kshetrayya Lord Krishna Raja Ramu1977 Adavi Ramudu Gowri Moratodu Khaidhi Kalidasu Oke Raktham Kalpana Ee Tharam Manishi Jeevana Theeralu Chiranjeevi Rambabu Rambabu 1978 Nayudu Bava Thalle Challani Dhaivam Chilipi Krishnudu 1979 Cheyyethi Jai Kottu Balayya Maavari Manchitanam Laxmi Pooja Shri Vinayaka Vijayamu 1980 Talli Deevena Raji Telugu 1981 Nyayam Kavali Saroja Illalu Singer in bus Tyagayya Seethamma Pedala Brathukulu Kalyani Sumai Rohini Tamil 1982 Madhura Swapnam Seethalu Telugu Subbarao Ki Kopam Vachhindi – Bhakta Dhruva Markandeya Turuchi Naa Desam Sudha Illali Korikalu Rajini Nalugu Stambalata Gayatri Kakka Devi Malayalam Dheera Rani Parvaiyin Marupakkam Viswanathan's daughter Tamil Kalavari Samsaram Sudha Telugu Anantha Ragalu Seetha 1983 Ilamai Kaalangal Meera Tamil Thandikkappatta Nyayangal Lakshmi Valartha Kada Annam Maga Maharaju Raju's sister Telugu Nava Mohini Radha Rugma Prayaga Malayalam Ee Yugam Kuyiline Thedi Meenu Aa Rathri Radha 1984 Thirakil Alpa Samayam Amina Piriyilla Naam Sridevi Parannu Parannu Parannu Mini / Jessy / Sreekutty Radhayude Kamukan Radha Shabadham Radha Ivide Thudangunnu Sheela Sandarbham Shari Ariyatha Veethikal Sheela Oru Painkilikatha Vilasini Devanthakudu Lalitha Telugu Thirittu Rajakkal – Tamil Aduthaduthu Malayalam Theere Pratheekshikkathe Indu Oru Kochu Swapnam – Arante Mulla Kochu Mulla Rohini Ponmaalai Pozhudhu Tamil 1985 Adhyayam Onnu Muthal Rema Malayalam Anni Radha Tamil Oru Kudakeezil Sridevi Malayalam Akalathe Ambili Ashwathy Ozhivukaalam Chinnu Nerariyum Nerathu Rathi Gaayathridevi Ente Amma Priya Orikkal Oridathu Soniya Ee Thanalil Ithiri Neram Leena Ivide Ee Theerathu Sreedevi Aarodum Parayaruthu Girija Manakkale Thatha Minikutty Katha Ithuvare Kala Oru Sandesam Koodi Rema Mounanombaram Lekha Ee Lokam Ivide Kure Manushyar Sheela Ee Shabdam Innathe Shabdam Pushpa Onnaamprathi Olivil Ormikkan Omanikkan Jwalanam 1986 Love Story Shobha Koodanayum Kattu Liza Njan Kathorthirikkum Aasi Abhayam Thedi Vasanthi Rareeram Chitra Prathyekam Sradhikkukka Adiverukal Annakutty Ponnum Kudathinum Pottu Rani Karyam Kananayoru Kallachiri Thaaiku Oru Thaalaattu Chellam Tamil 1987 Vrutham Thresia Malayalam Yaagagni Latha Onnaam Maanam Poomaanam Rajasree Theekkattu Mercy Vamban Viji P.C. 369 Sudha Manja Manthrangal Gladia January Oru Orma Maina Achuvettante Veedu Aswathy Nair Itha Samayamayi Alice Kanan Kothichu Chamundeshwari Pooja Mahime Kumari Malathi Kannada Attagaru Zindabad Meenakshi Telugu 1988 Raktha Samharam Maharajasri Mayagadu Sudha Jadi Ketha Moodi Gayathri Tamil Dhwani Sunitha Malayalam Anuragi Julie Onninu Purake Mattonnu Sudha Sankhanaadam Thulasi Dhinarathrangal Ponni Paadhamudra Ashwathy 1921 Lakshmi 1989 Kali Kaaryamayi-Crime Branch Sunitha Agnipravesham Varnatheru Urmila Mizhiyorangalil Dhruva Nakshatram Saroja Telugu Bhale Dampathulu Susheela Naa Mogudu Naake Sontham Swathi Dharmam Vellum Geetha Tamil 1990 Midhya Malayalam Jawani Zindabad Rama Hindi Meri Lalkaar Hindi Silambu Rasathi Tamil Pudhu Varisu Nithya Manasukketha Maapillai 1991 Pavunnu Pavunuthan Pavunnu Thanthu Vitten Ennai Surya Jagadeka Veera Padmini Kannada Ezhunnallathu Malayalam 1992 Rendu Pondatti Kaavalkaaran Rukmini Tamil Senbaga Thottam Manga Abhirami Vasanthi Natchathira Nayagan Radha 1993 Samaagamam Elsamma Malayalam Marupadiyum Kavitha Tamil Pudhu Piravi Aparna Malayalam Pettredutha Pillai Vaidehi Tamil Nallathe Nadakkum Jaya Bandhukkal Sathrukkal Sheela Malayalam 1994 Magalir Mattum Papamma Tamil Thamarai Poogodai Puthran Lisa Malayalam CID Unnikrishnan B.A., B.Ed. Arundathi Nair/ Revathy Nair 1995 Sundarimaare Sookshikkukka Nimmi Aasai Ganga Tamil Stri Rangi Telugu National Film Award – Special Mention Thondan Subha Tamil Thotta Chinungi Amlu Ilavarasi Lakshmi 1996 Veettukulle Thiruvizha Gayathri 2004 Virumaandi Angela Kaathamuthu Kadhale Engal Desiya Geetham 2005 Ayya Maadasami's Wife Vairavan – 2006 Kaivantha Kalai Stage host Ilakkanam Susi 2007 Naalaiya Pozhuthum Unnodu Nagai Thaamirabharani Pechchikani Onbadhu Roobai Nottu Kameela Rock n' Roll Nirmala Malayalam 2008 Thalappavu Karthyayani 2009 Vaamanan Rohini Tamil Yavarum Nalam13B: Fear Has a New Address TV Reporter TamilHindi 2 Harihar Nagar Sulochana Malayalam 2010 In Ghost House Inn Sulochana Pen Singam Surya's mother Tamil Moscowin Kavery Dance Teacher Nandalala Mentally ill woman 2011 Ala Modalaindi Revathi Telugu Payyans Padma Malayalam City of God Lakshmi Sankarankovil Padma Muthuvelu Tamil Innanu Aa Kalyanam Lillykutty Malayalam 2012 Second Show Devaki Shiva Manasulo Shruti Shiva's mother Telugu Ishq Jaya 3 Janani's mother Tamil Diamond Necklace Dr. Savithri Malayalam 18 Vayasu Dr. Suchithra Tamil Kozhi Koovuthu Valliammai 2013 Thirumathi Thamizh Thamizhselvan's mother Black Butterfly Benny's mother Malayalam Jagadguru Adi Shankara Sankara's mother Telugu Anthaka Mundu Aa Tarvatha Sujatha Thanga Meenkal Parvathi Tamil 2014 Ninnindale Pramila's Aunty Kannada Kotha Janta Sirish's Mother Telugu Venmegam Jyothi Tamil Oka Laila Kosam Nandana's mother Telugu Chinnadana Nee Kosam Nandhini's mother Ormayundo Ee Mukham Vasundhara Devi Malayalam 2015 Sir C. P. Kochu Mary Baahubali: The Beginning Sanga Telugu/Tamil Sher Gautam's mother Telugu Columbus Ashwin's mother 2016 Nenu Sailaja Sailaja's mother Action Hero Biju Bhavathi Malayalam Uyire Uyire Wedding aunty Tamil Jeniffer Karuppaiya Jennifer Gentleman Gautham's mother Telugu Guppy Guppy's mother Malayalam 54321 Teacher Tamil Balle Vellaiyathevaa Sakthi's mother Achamindri Tamizh Selvi 2017 Sathya Doctor Malayalam Baahubali 2: The Conclusion Shivudu's mother (Sanga) Telugu Partially reshot in Tamil Role Models Shreya's mother Malayalam Velaikkaran Ponni Tamil Juliet Lover of Idiot Vara's mother Telugu Okka Kshanam Jeeva's mother 2018 Awe! Radha's mother Rangasthalam Chitti Babu's mother Abhiyum Anuvum Meena Tamil Goli Soda 2 Inbavalli's mother Tamil Lover Charita's mother Telugu Chi La Sow Latha Traffic Ramasamy Rukku Tamil Kadal Kuthiraigal Refugee 2019 Ottam Sara Malayalam Neerthirai Banu Tamil Jiivi Lakshmi Manmadhudu 2 Janani Telugu Magamuni Deivanai Tamil Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy Padmamma Telugu Bigil Anitha's mother Tamil Thipparaa Meesam Lalita Telugu Market Raja MBBS Latha Tamil Iddari Lokam Okate Varsha's mother Telugu 2020 Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo Lakshmi Johaar V Sreelata 2021 Rang De Sailaja Nootokka Jillala Andagaadu GSN's mother Tuck Jagadish Kumari Navarasa Vaalambal Tamil Yennanga Sir Unga Sattam Badhrakali Rocky Malli Varudu Kaavalenu Aakash's mother Telugu 2022 Freedom Fight Dhanalakshmi Malayalam Segment : "Old Age Home" Mike Antony's mother Ante Sundaraniki Sundar's mother Telugu Atithi Devo Bhava Abhi's mother 10th Class Diaries Jiivi 2 Lakshmi Tamil Sita Ramam Reporter Vijayalakshmi Telugu Meet Cute Padma Witness Indrani Tamil 2023 Sridevi Shoban Babu Kamala Telugu Writer Padmabhushan Saraswati Das Ka Dhamki Sanjay's mother Beginning Balu's mother Tamil Kolaambi Sundarambal Malayalam Thandatti Thangaponnu Tamil ValattySumathiMalayalam Bro Mark's mother Telugu Kushi Zoya Otta Umabba Malayalam Thaal Vishwa's mother Extra Ordinary Man Usha Telugu Jorugaa Husharugaa Santhosh's mother 2024 Dear Lakshmi Tamil Ajayante Randam Moshanam Sarojam Malayalam Mathu Vadalara 2 Deepa Telugu Vettaiyan DSP Nazeema Tamil Laggam Suguna Telugu 2025 Kaadhal Enbadhu Podhu Udamai Lakshmi Tamil Aghathiyaa Anjalai Court Seetarathnam Telugu Akkada Ammayi Ikkada Abbayi Krishna’s mother Kingdom Suri’s mother Dude Parvathy Tamil Telusu Kada Raaga’s mother Telugu The Girlfriend Vikram's mother Telugu
As lyricist 2007 – Pachaikili Muthucharam (Unakkul Naane) (Song composed by Harris Jayaraj) 2009 – Villu (Jalsa) 2010 – Mundhinam Paartheney (Maya, Kanavena) 2012 – Maalai Pozhudhin Mayakathilaey (All Songs) 2013 – 11th Chennai International Film Festival Anthem (Song composed by Prakash Nikki) 2020 – Galatta Kalyanam (Murali Mogha – Tamil Dubbed Version of "Tere Rang" from Atrangi Re) (Song composed by A. R. Rahman) 2023 – En Viruppam (Music Video) (Music by Sindhuri Vishal)
As director 1995 – Chinna Chinna Aasai – Ganga (Sun TV) 2008 – Silent Hues (documentary film)
As dialogue writer 2013 – Welcome Obama
As dubbing artist