Roja Selvamani (born Sri Latha Reddy on 17 November 1972), credited as Roja is an Indian politician and actress with the YSR Congress Party. 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.

Starting her acting career in a supporting role in the Telugu film, Prema Thapassu in 1991, Roja earned her first Nandi Award under Special jury category for her performance in Sarpayagam (1991). She further expanded her career to Tamil with Chembaruthi (1992) and Kannada with Gadibidi Ganda (1993). Both these projects were successful and paved the way for her future commercial films such as Uzhaippali (1993) and Veera (1994) (both opposite Rajinikanth), Muta Mestri (1993), Bhairava Dweepam (1994), which fetched her Nandi Award for Best Actress, Raasaiyya (1995) and Vallal (1997). Her biggest commercially successful and critically acclaimed role came with the film, Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen (1999), for which she won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress and Cinema Express Award for Best Actress – Tamil. These films established Roja as a leading actress in Tamil Telugu Malayalam Kannada films through 1990s and early 2000s.

Roja served as a Minister for Tourism Culture and Youth Advancement for the Government of Andhra Pradesh from 2022 until a landslide defeat in 2024 assembly elections. Her first political stint, although, was with the Telugu Desam Party from 1999 till 2009.

Early life Roja was born as Sri Latha Reddy to Nagaraja Reddy and Lalitha in Tirupati, Tirupati district, Andhra Pradesh. She has two brothers, Kumaraswamy Reddy and Ramaprasad Reddy. 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 (1991) with Rajendra Prasad.

She was introduced to the Tamil film industry by director R. K. Selvamani with Chembaruthi (1992), along with actor Prashanth. The movie was a hit and paved way for role in another success, Suriyan (1992) with Sarath Kumar. Both the films established her in Tamil cinema.

She became known for songs such as "Meloor Maman" in the film Makkal Aatchi (1995) with Mammootty and "Mastana Mastana" in Raasaiyya (1995) with Prabhu Deva. Her performance in films with actors such as Rajinikanth in Veera (1994), Arjun Sarja in Ayudha Poojai (1996) and Prabhu in Thirupathi Ezhumalai Venkatesa (1999) were praised. Roja's major career breakthrough was in the film Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen (1998), directed by Vikraman.

In Telugu, she appeared in successful movies like Mutha Mestri (1993), Mugguru Monagallu (1994), Bhairava Dweepam (1994), Anna (1994), Bobbili Simham (1994), Subhalagnam (1994), Roja (1994), Kshemamga Velli Labhamga Randi (1996), Peddannayya (1997), Annamayya (1997) and Sri Krishnarjuna Vijayam (2000)

In Kannada, she appeared in successful movies like Gadibidi Ganda (1993), Kalavida (1997), Sundara Kanda (2001)

Her 100th movie was Pottu Amman (2000).

Roja later appeared in supporting roles in films like Arasu (2003), Parijatham (2006), Shambo Shiva Shambo (2010), Golimar (2010), Kaavalan (2011), Veera (2011), Kodipunju (2011), Mogudu (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. 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. Following the passing of Rajasekhara Reddy, his son, Jagan Mohan Reddy, decided to part ways with the Congress and established the YSR Congress Party. 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 the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Youth Advancement portfolio.

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

Electoral history Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly Year ConstituencyParty Votes % OpponentOpponent Party Opponent Votes % Result Margin % 2024Nagari 62,794 35.17Gali Bhanu Prakash 107,797 60.38 -45,003 -25.21 2019 80,333 47.6 77,625 46 2,708 1.6 2014 74,724 47.23 Gali Muddu Krishnama Naidu 73,866 46.69 858 0.54 2009 Chandragiri 60,962 35.68 Aruna Kumari Galla 71,942 42.1 -10,980 -6.42 2004 Nagari 59,867 46.39 Chengareddy Reddyvari 65,561 50.8 -5,694 -4.41

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

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

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, Soundarya, Nagma, Rambha, Meena, her friends and co-stars, Roja is one of the few artists who can do their makeup themselves.

Filmography

Tamil cinema

Year Title Role Notes1992 Chembaruthi Chembaruthi Tamil Debut Suriyan Usha 1993 Uzhaippali Vimala 1994 Athiradi Padai Bharathi Indhu Indhu Veera Rubakala Sarigamapadani Archana 1995 Engirundho Vandhan Radha Raja Muthirai Priya Asuran Parvathi 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 Arasiyal Supriya 1998 Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen Radha Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best ActressCinema Express Award for Best Actress – Tamil En Aasai Rasave Nagajyoti Veeram Vilanja Mannu Village Girl Pudhumai Pithan Shenbagam Kaadhal Kavithai Herself Special appearance in the song "Aalana Naal Mudhala"1999 House Full Writer Chinna Raja Radha Nenjinile Herself Special appearance in the song "Thanga Nirathuku" Chinna Durai Pushpavalli Suyamvaram Easwari Mugam Malini Ooty Charu Thirupathi Ezhumalai Venkatesa Ragini Azhagarsamy Suja 2000 Thirunelveli Kattazhagi 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 film2001 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 Mariamman2002 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 Adhikesavan's mother 2008 Ellam Avan Seyal Jaggubai 2011 Kaavalan Devika Muthu Ramalingam 2012 Saguni Sreedevi's Mother 2013 Masani Rajeshwari Apple Penne Hamsavalli 2015 Killadi Angayarkanni Pulan Visaranai 2 Saranya En Vazhi Thani Vazhi Renuka Devi 2026 Anbe Diana Sarala Lenin Pandiyan Sandhanam

Telugu cinema Year Title Role (dubbed voice) Notes1991 Prema Thapassu Muthyalu Telugu Debut Sarpayagam Anupama Special Jury-Nandi Award1992 Seetharatnam Gari Abbayi Manga Atta Sommu Alludi Daanam Baby Prema Vijetha 1993 Rakshana Special appearance in the song "Ghallu Mamdi Basu"Attaku Koduku Mamaku Alludu Roja Illu Pelli Nakshatra Poratam Moggudugaru Roja Mutha Mestri Kalpana 1994 Mugguru Monagallu Seetha (Roja Ramani) Bhairava DweepamPrincess Padmavathi (Roja Ramani) Nandi Award for Best ActressGandeevam Roja Bobbili Simham Krishnaveni (Saritha)Anna Chandi Nandi Award for Best Supporting ActressPolice 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 VajramKuali Pokiri Raja Chandramukhi Ghatotkachudu Roja 1996 Topi Raja Sweety Roja Roja Rayudugaru Nayudugaru Sri Krishnarjuna Vijayam Draupadi(Roja Ramani) 1997 Peddannayya Seeta(Roja Ramani) Adavilo Anna Rani RadayatraKasturi Annamayya Saluva Narasimha Rayalu's wife(Roja Ramani) 1998 Sambhavam Pelladi Chupistha Swarnakka Swarnakka Nandi Award for Best ActressVaibhavam Mee Aayana Jagratha Sundari 1999 Sultan Revathi 2000 Sammakka Sarakka Sarakka Kshemamga Velli Labhamga Randi Geetha (Saritha) Tirumala Tirupati Venkatesa Ragini 2001 Railway Coolie Lakshmi 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 Chamundeswari 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 Sri Jagadguru Adi ShankaraGoddess Lakshmi Kamina D/O Varma

Kannada cinema

Year Title Role Notes 1993 Gadibidi Ganda Neelambari Kannada Debut 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 Year Title Role Notes 1997 Gangothri Nandana Menon Malayalam Debut 2002 Malayali Mamanu Vanakkam Parvathy 2015 Jamna Pyari Neelambari 150 th film

Television