Roja Selvamani

R. K. Roja Selvamani (born Sri Latha Reddy; 17 November 1972), is an Indian actress and politician. She was served as Minister for Tourism, Culture and Youth Advancement of Andhra Pradesh since 11 April 2022 until a landslide defeat in 2024 assembly elections.

Roja was born in Tirupati to Nagaraja Reddy and Lalitha Reddy, she has two brothers by the name of Kumaraswamy Reddy and Ramaprasad Reddy. Roja was a leading and established actress in the Indian cinema featuring in multiple Tamil and Telugu films as a leading actress from the 1990s till 2000s and featured in blockbuster films such as Chembaruthi (1992), Sarpayagam (1992), Anna (1994) and Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen (1998) in which she won multiple awards such as the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress and the Nandi Awards for her film performances.

Roja became the Minister for Tourism Culture and Youth Advancement for the Government of Andhra Pradesh in April 2022.

Early life
Roja was born as Sri Latha Reddy on 17 November 1972 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.

Film career
Roja entered the film industry with Telugu film Prema Thapassu with Rajendra Prasad. The entire movie was shot in Tirupati.

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 known for 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 Rajinikanth 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. In Telugu, she appeared in successful movies like Mutha Mestri, Mugguru Monagallu, Bhairava Dweepam, Bobbili Simham, Annamayya, Anna, Peddannayya, Kshemamga Velli Labhamga Randi, Subhalagnam, Sri Krishnarjuna Vijayam and Kalavida. Her 100th movie was Pottu Amman. Roja later appeared in supporting roles in films like Arasu (2003), Parijatham (2006), Shambo Shiva Shambo (2010), Golimar (2010), Mogudu (2011), Kodipunju (2011), Veera (2011), Kaavalan (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 as 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.

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, her friend and co-star, Roja is one of the few artists who can do their makeup themselves.

Awards

 * Nandi Awards
 * Special Jury Award – Sarpayagam (1991)
 * Best Supporting Actress – Anna (1994)
 * Best Actress – Swarnakka (1998)


 * Tamil Nadu State Film Awards
 * 1998 – Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress – Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen
 * Cinema Express Awards
 * 1998 – Cinema Express Award for Best Actress – Tamil – Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen
 * Filmfare Award South
 * 2010 – Nominated – Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Telugu – Golimaar