
Roja Selvamani
Roja Selvamani is an Indian actor, best known for Tamil cinema. Roja Selvamani began their career in 1993 and has been a prominent figure in the industry for over 33 years. With over 120 credits to their name, Roja Selvamani remains one of the most prolific and celebrated talents in the industry.
- Born
- Age
- 53
Biography
Roja Selvamani, born Sri Latha Reddy on November 17, 1972, in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, is a prominent actress in Tamil and Telugu cinema who rose to fame in the early 1990s after being introduced to Tamil audiences by director R. K. Selvamani in Chembaruthi (1992) alongside actor Prashanth. She achieved a significant milestone with her 100th film Pottu Amman (2001) and appeared in notable Tamil films including Kottai Mariamman (2001), Arasu (2003), and Kuttrapathirikai (2007) in supporting and character roles. Having transitioned from leading lady roles in blockbusters like Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen (1998) to versatile character parts, she demonstrated a consistent range across Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada film industries over two decades. She later married director R. K. Selvamani in 2002 and went on to serve as Minister for Tourism, Culture and Youth Advancement of Andhra Pradesh from 2022 to 2024.
Career Milestones
Film debut in Tamil cinema
Major career breakthrough with critically acclaimed performance
Won Nandi Award for Best Actress
Milestone 100th film appearance
View film →Title role in landmark devotional film
View film →Iconic Roles
Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen
Career-defining role as an illegitimate daughter working as a maidservant in her own father's house; rises from rejection to become a famous singer. Won Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress; film ran 250+ days.
Bhairava Dweepam
Fantasy/adventure role as a princess rescued from an evil wizard. Won Nandi Award for Best Actress.
Swarnakka
Lead role that won her a second Nandi Award for Best Actress in Telugu cinema.
Kottai Mariamman
Dual role as the goddess Kottai Mariamman and her devotee Durga in a devotional film; received positive reviews and was dubbed into multiple languages.
Kuttrapathirikai
Romantic interest of police officer Arun in a thriller about LTTE militants planning to assassinate Rajiv Gandhi.
Defining Moments
Debut performance in Chembaruthi alongside Prashanth, introduced by director R. K. Selvamani — her natural screen presence in this romantic drama instantly established her as a bankable leading lady
Her debut breakthrough that launched a prolific career spanning 100+ films across Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada industries within a decade
Supporting performance opposite Rajinikanth showcasing her ability to hold her own alongside Tamil cinema's biggest superstar
Demonstrated her mainstream star power and versatility — sharing the screen credibly with Rajinikanth in a high-profile production expanded her marquee appeal
Emotional lead performance in the Vikraman-directed romantic drama, delivering one of her most nuanced portrayals in a story centered on sacrifice and love
Widely cited as her career breakthrough and peak dramatic performance, earning critical recognition and cementing her reputation beyond commercial entertainers
Title role performance as the goddess Kottai Mariamman in this devotional film, carrying the entire film on her shoulders in a demanding dual-dimensional role
One of her most iconic roles — playing a deity required gravitas and restraint; the film is widely remembered for her commanding screen presence in the title role
View film →100th film milestone role as Pottu Amman, marking a rare achievement for a female lead in Tamil cinema of that era
Reaching 100 films as a lead actress within roughly a decade is frequently cited as a defining milestone of her career, reflecting her remarkable prolificacy in Indian cinema
View film →Roja Selvamani by the Numbers
If you watched every Roja Selvamani film back-to-back, you'd be at it for roughly 9 days and 12h. Most-paired with Deva — 19 films together.
Filmography
See all 120 credits →









Collaboration Network
The Constellation
Top 10 most-paired collaborators. Bubble size and line thickness reflect how many films they share with Roja Selvamani.
Career Analytics
Genre Breakdown
Language Distribution
Films by Decade
Top Co-Actors
See all →Roja Selvamani has worked most frequently with Rama Narayanan (5 films), R. K. Selvamani (4 films), Velu Prabhakaran (2 films), Bharathi Kannan (2 films), and Kasthuri Raja (2 films).





Did You Know?
Roja Selvamani is a former actress who predominantly worked in Telugu and Tamil cinema before entering politics.
She is popularly known by her stage name 'Roja'.
She entered politics by joining the Indian National Congress party.
She later switched to the YSR Congress Party.
She won the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly election from Nagiri constituency in 2014.
Legacy & Influence
Roja Selvamani, born in 1972, carved a distinct niche in South Indian cinema during the 1990s, primarily in Telugu and Tamil films. Her career trajectory is marked by a transition from a sought-after actress to a dedicated politician, with her film work leaving a notable impression in a competitive era. She entered the industry at a young age and quickly gained recognition for her performances in commercially successful and critically appreciated films. Her work often featured in major productions alongside leading stars, contributing to the vibrant cinematic landscape of the time. Films like 'Bhairava Dweepam' (1994) and 'Bobbili Simham' (1994) are remembered as significant entertainers of the period, with her role as Krishnaveni in the latter being a recognized part of her filmography. While not always in the lead, her presence in supporting roles added depth to numerous narratives. Her acting style was noted for its expressiveness, fitting well within the commercial masala films and family dramas that dominated the early to mid-90s. After a prolific acting career, she shifted her focus entirely to politics, bringing her public recognition into a new arena. In cinema, her legacy is that of a prominent actress who was part of many memorable films during a key decade for South Indian cinema, representing a generation of performers who achieved widespread popularity. Her subsequent political success, including winning an MLA seat, has made her a figure of interest beyond cinema, but her cinematic contributions remain a part of 1990s film history for audiences.