Roja Selvamani Biography:
R. K. Roja Selvamani, born Sri Latha Reddy on 17 November 1972, is an Indian politician and former actress. She has been serving as the Minister for Tourism, Culture, and Youth Advancement of Andhra Pradesh since 11 April 2022.
Roja was born in Tirupati to Nagaraja Reddy and Lalitha Reddy and has two brothers, Kumaraswamy Reddy and Ramaprasad Reddy. She enjoyed a successful career as a leading actress in Indian cinema during the 1990s and 2000s, starring in numerous Tamil and Telugu films. Some of her notable works include “Chembaruthi” (1992), “Sarpayagam” (1992), “Anna” (1994), and “Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen” (1998). For her performances, Roja received several awards, including the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress and the Nandi Awards.
Since becoming the Minister for Tourism, Culture, and Youth Advancement in April 2022, Roja has focused on enhancing tourism destinations in Hyderabad and promoting tourism development across Andhra Pradesh.
Roja Selvamani Early Life:
Roja, originally named Sri Latha Reddy, was born on 17 November 1972 to Nagaraja Reddy and Lalitha in Tirupati, Tirupati district, Andhra Pradesh. She has two brothers, Kumaraswamy Reddy and Ramaprasad Reddy. The family later relocated to Hyderabad. Roja earned her bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Sri Padmavathi Women’s University in Tirupati. Before entering the film industry, she was trained in Kuchipudi and performed in dance.
Roja Selvamani Career:
Film Career
Roja began her film career with the Telugu film Prema Thapassu alongside Rajendra Prasad, which was entirely shot in Tirupati.
She was introduced to Tamil cinema by director R. K. Selvamani with the film Chembaruthi, co-starring Prashanth. The movie was a hit and led to another successful role in Suriyan with Sarath Kumar, establishing her in Tamil cinema. She became well-known for songs such as “Meloor Maman” in Makkal Aatchi with Mammootty and “Mastana Mastana” in Raasaiyya with Prabhu Deva. Roja’s performances with actors like Rajinikanth in Veera, Arjun Sarja in Ayudha Poojai, and Prabhu in Thirupathi Ezhumalai Venkatesa were highly praised. Her major career breakthrough came with Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen, directed by Vikraman. In Telugu cinema, she appeared in successful films like Mutha Mestri, Mugguru Monagallu, Bhairava Dweepam, Bobbili Simham, Annamayya, Anna, Peddannayya, Kshemamga Velli Labhamga Randi, Subhalagnam, Sri Krishnarjuna Vijayam, and Kalavida. Her 100th film was Pottu Amman. Roja later took on supporting roles in films such as Arasu (2003), Parijatham (2006), Shambo Shiva Shambo (2010), Golimar (2010), Mogudu (2011), Kodipunju (2011), Veera (2011), Kaavalan (2011), and Saguni (2012).
Political Career
Roja entered politics by joining the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in 1998 and served as the president of the Telugu Mahila wing. In the 2004 Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly elections, she contested from the Nagari constituency but did not win. In the 2009 Indian general election, she ran for the Chandragiri Assembly constituency but was defeated by Aruna Kumari Galla. Following this, Roja left TDP and joined the Indian National Congress, led by Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy at the time. After Reddy’s death, his son Jagan Mohan Reddy formed the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), prompting Roja to leave Congress and join YSRCP. In the 2014 assembly elections, she won as an MLA from the Nagari constituency and retained her seat in the 2019 elections. In 2020, she became the Chairperson of APIIC and was appointed as the Minister for Tourism, Culture, and Youth Advancement in 2022.
Despite being an active speaker among women MLAs, Roja was suspended from the legislative assembly for one year on 18 December 2015 by a majority decision in the legislative house, approved by the Speaker. Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, leader of the opposition, opposed the suspension, raising concerns about the procedure followed. This led to the opposition moving a no-trust motion against the Speaker. There were also issues raised about how media clips, considered property of the house, were released and published on social media without the Speaker’s approval. The Speaker acknowledged these concerns and set up an inquiry to investigate the issue further, with a report to be submitted at the next meeting.
Roja Selvamani Other Work:
Roja was the anchor of the show Modern Mahalakshmi on MAA TV before being replaced by Anasuya. She also serves as one of the judges for the comedy shows Jabardasth and Extra Jabardasth, which are telecast on ETV. Additionally, she hosted a show on Zee Tamizh called Lucka Kicka, which was a huge hit in Tamil Nadu.
Roja Selvamani 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 was often seen styling her peers’ hair on set, including actresses like Devayani, Khushbu, Ranjitha, and Mumtaz. According to her friend and co-star Ramya Krishna, Roja is one of the few artists who can do their makeup themselves.
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