Roja Selvamani

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.^[7]

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.^[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 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

Tamil cinema

Telugu cinema

Kannada cinema

Malayalam cinema

Television