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. 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. 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 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. 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.
Electoral history Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly ==Other work==