Roja Selvamani, known popularly as Roja, is an Indian politician and film actress. She was a leading actress from 1991 to 2002 and acted in various south Indian languagesTamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam languages. 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 YSRCP state Women President. She had contested once again from Nagari assembly constituency in 2019 election and won. She was later appointed as Chairman of APIIC.
Early life
Roja was born as Sree Latha 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. Later, the family moved to Hyderabad. She got her bachelor's degree in Political Science from Sri Padmavathi Women's University, Tirupathi. Roja learnt Kuchipudi and was performing in dance before she entered films.
Career
Film career
Roja entered the Industry with Telugu films. Her first movie was Prema Thapassu with Rajendra Prasad where the complete movie was shot in Tirupati. She was a leading actress in south Indian cinema from 1991 to 2002 and most popular actress in Tamil and Telugu industry. 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. She became popular with 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 Rajnikanth 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. she appeared in successful movies like Mutha Mestri, Mugguru Monagallu, Bhairava Dweepam, Bobbili Simham, Annamayya, Anna, Peddannayya, Kshemamga Velli Labamgarandi, Shubhalagnam, Shri Krishnarjuna Vijayam and Kalavida, Her 100th movie was Pottu Amman. Roja later appeared in supporting roles in films like Arasu, Parijatham, Shambo Shiva Shambo, Golimar, Mogudu, Kodipunju, Veera, Kaavalan and Saguni. "The Gentleman " Hindi
Political career
Roja joined Telugu Desam in 1999 and was the president of the Telugu Mahila wing of the Party. 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.
Political controversies
Despite R.K. Roja being an active speaker among women MLA's 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. On 11 February 2017, Roja was arrested in Vijayawada for attempting to attend the National Women's Parliament in the city, which she was not allowed to attend although she was registered, invited, and was on the NWP's welcoming committee.
Other work
Roja played anchor in a show named Modern Mahalakshmi before getting replaced by Anasuya. This show was telecasted on MAA TV. She is the judge for a comedy show named Jabardasth. This show is telecasted on E TV. 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 10 August 2002. The couple have 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, Kushboo, 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. 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.
