Roja Selvamani

Sri Latha Reddy known by her stage name Roja (born 17 November 1972), is an Indian politician and former film actress.

She is currently serving as Minister for Tourism, Culture and Youth Advancement of Andhra Pradesh.

Roja was born as Sri Latha Reddy on 17 November 1972 to Nagaraja Reddy and Lalitha in Tirupati, Tirupati 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, Tirupati.

Roja learnt Kuchipudi and was performing in dance before she entered films.

Roja entered the film industry with Telugu films.

Her first movie was Prema Thapassu with Rajendra Prasad where the complete 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.

She was a leading actress in Tamil and Telugu films from 1991 to 2002.

She has also acted in a few Kannada and Malayalam-language films.

She won three Nandi Awards and one Tamil Nadu State Film Award.

In 2022, Roja announced she would be leaving the film industry to focus more on her political career as a politician.

She also announced that she will no longer be acting in any films.

Roja joined Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in 1998 and was the president of the Telugu Mahila wing of the Party.

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).

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 unfortunate 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.

Her 100th movie was Pottu Amman.

In 2014 assembly elections, she won as an MLA from Nagari assembly constituency.

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.

Roja played anchor in a show named Modern Mahalakshmi before getting replaced by Anasuya.

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 MLA's she was suspended from attending the legislative assembly for one year.