# Roja Ramani

Roja Ramani (also known as Chemparathy Shobana) is an Indian actress who predominantly worked in Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu films. She was a child actor and her debut movie was Bhakta Prahlada (1967) for which she received National Film Award for Best Child Artist. She was popular during the 1970s and early 1980s and has acted in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Odia movies. She worked in 400 films as a dubbing artiste. She is an active member of BlueCross and is involved in several social service activities.

## Early life

She was born in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh, India as the only child to her parents. Her father was a journalist with Picture Post. The family relocated to Madras when she was 6 months old.

## Career

She had started her career at the age of 7 in 1966 in the title role of Bhaktha Prahaladha in Telugu. It is the first full-length Eastman color feature film which was produced by AVM Productions. It was a blockbuster hit film. She acted in more than 40 films as a child artist and at the age of 13 she acted as a lead in the Malayalam movie Chemparathy which went on to be a record breaking hit and was a trendsetter at the time. The movie was remade with Roja Ramani in Telugu as Kanne Vayasu and in Tamil as Paruva Kaalam which also went on to be huge hits.
She has acted in more than 130 films in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi and Odia. She also lent her voice for over 400 films in Telugu and Tamil for the leading heroines at the time like Suhasini, Meena, Roja, Radhika, Soundarya, Ramba, Ramya Krishna, Vijaya Shanthi, Shilpa Shetty, Divya Bharathi, Nagma, and Khushbu.
She won the AP State Television Award, International Children's Film Festival Award, Filmfare Award, International Film Festival - Indian Panorama Award, and Zee Kutumbam Award.

## Personal life

She married Chakrapani, a Telugu actor, in 1981, whom she had met acting in Oriya films. He is now producer/director and Head of ETV Oriya channel. They have a son, Tarun, who acted as a lead actor in the 2000 Tollywood film Nuvve Kavali and a daughter Amulya, who holds a degree in psychology, and is an interior designer.

## Awards

National Film Award for Best Child Artist for portraying Prahlada in Bhakta Prahlada – 1967
* 1972: Filmfare Best Actress Malayalam — Chembarathy
She has won more than 50 awards for her performances and voice dubbing. Like AP State Govt. NANDI Awards, Kerala State Govt, FilmFare, Cinema Express, Cine Herald, Malayala Manorama, Cine Goers, Madras Film Fans Associaction etc.
She was felicitated in 75 years of Indian Cinema Celebration and also in 100 years Cinema Celebration.
She has been honored in America, by Telugu Fine Arts Community in New Jersey and by Telugu Association in Tampa, Florida for her lifetime achievement and contribution to film industry. She was honored with Santosham Lifetime Achievement Award for her contribution to Tollywood, at 15th Santosham Film Awards
In 2019, she received Santosham Excellence Award at 16th Santosham Film Awards.

## Filmography
### Malayalam: credited as Shobana

* 1971 – Poompaatta – Sumathy
* 1971 – Inquilab Sindabad
* 1972 – Chembarathy – Santha
* 1973 – Chaayam
* 1973 – Mazhakkaru – Shantha
* 1973 – Darshanam
* 1973 – Gayathry
* 1973 – Panitheeratha Veedu – Leela
* 1974 – Kaamini
* 1974 – Bhoogolam Thiriyunnu
* 1975 – Mattoru Seetha
* 1976 – Amma
* 1977 – Sangamam
* 1977 – Anantham Paramanantham
* 1978 – Puthariyankam
* 1979 – Venalil Oru Mazha
* 1979 – Maalika Paniyunnavar
* 1979 – Yakshipparu
* 1979 – Jeevitham Oru Gaanam – Omana
* 1979 – Raathrikal Ninakku Vendi
* 1980 – Idimuzhakkam – Panchali
* 1980 – Agnikshethram – Radha
* 1980 – Palattu Kunjikannan
* 1980 – Moorkhan – Rajani
* 1980 – Rajaneegandhi – Usha
* 1980 – Ambala Vilakku – Savithri
* 1980 – Pappu – Herself
* 1981 – Raktham
* 1981 – Oothikachiya Ponnu – Shalini
* 1981 – Sanchari – Sumam
* 1981 – Kadathu – Maalu
* 1985 – Jeevante Jeevan

### Tamil

* 1967 – Iru Malargal – Geetha
* 1967 – Bhakta Prahalada
* 1968 – En Thambi – Uma
* 1969 – Thulabharam
* 1969 – Shanti Nilayam
* 1969 – Kuzhandhai Ullam
* 1970 – Ethiroli – Raji
* 1970 – Vilayattu Pillai
* 1970 – Enga Mama as Sarojini
* 1970 – Janaki Sabatham
* 1970 – Namma Kuzhanthaigal
* 1971 – Babu
* 1973 – Anbu Sagodharargal
* 1974 – Paruva Kaalam
* 1974 – En Magan – Kamala
* 1976 – Needhikku Thalaivanangu
* 1976 – Janaki Sabatham
* 1978 – Vayasu Ponnu – Radhika
* 1978 – Vandikkaran Magan – Kokila
* 1979 – Sigappukkal Mookkuthi - Vaidhegi
* 1979 - Aadu Pambe
* 1979 – Iru Nilavugal – Chellam
* 1980 – Aayiram Vaasal Idhayam – Vijaya
* 1982 – Murai Ponnu (1982)
* 1982 – Sangili - Santha

### Telugu

* 1967 – Bhakta Prahalada
* 1969 – Sattekalapu Satteya
* 1971 – Ramalayam
* 1973 – Kanne Vayasu
* 1974 – O Seeta Katha
* 1975 – Moguda Pellama
* 1975 – Bali Peetam as Sarada's sister
* 1976 – Muthyala Pallaki
* 1976 – Raaja as Lakshmi
* 1976 – Monagadu as Padma
* 1977 – Alu Magalu
* 1978 – Lambadolla Ramadasu
* 1979 – Driver Ramudu as Meena (NTR's sister)
* 1979 – Sommokadidhi Sokokadidhi
* 1979 – Punadhirallu as Shanthi
* 1980 – Rakta Bandham
* 1981 – Sri Vemana Charithra
* 1985 – Kongumudi
* 1986 – Magadheerudu
* 1986 – Kashmora
* 1991 – Assembly Rowdy as News Reader

### Kannada

* 1968 – Bedi Bandavalu
* 1968 – Thande Makkalu
* 1977 – Kokila
* 1978 – Muyyige Muyyi
* 1978 – Havina Hejje
* 1981 – Bangarada Mane
* 1981 – Bhoomige Banda Bhagavantha

### Odia

* 1977 -Punarmilan
* 1978 -Sati Anasuya
* 1978 – Patipatni
* 1981- Sita Lavakush
* 1982- Samaya Bada Balaban

### Hindi

* 1972 Apna Desh as Rajesh Khanna's niece Sharda (uncredited)
* 1973 Jaise Ko Taisa as Jeetendra's (Vijay's) sister Munni

### Voice artist

| Dubbed for | Films |
| Suhasini | Nirdoshi (1984) (First film) Intiguttu (1984) Manishiko Charitra (1984) Challenge (1984) Justice Chakravarthy (1984) Illalu Priyuralu (1984) Kongumudi (1985) Magaraju (1985) Sravana Sandhya (1986) Aradhana (1987) Chuttalabbayi (1988) Bala Gopaludu (1989) |
| Archana | Nireekshana (1986) Parama Sivudu (1991) |
| Radha | Kaliyuga Krishnudu (1986) Adavi Raja (1986) Yamudiki Mogudu (1988) Bharya Bhartalu (1988) Ramudu Bheemudu (1988) Lankeshwarudu (1989) Dorikithe Dongalu (1989) Soggadi Kaapuram (1989) Kodama Simham (1990) Aayudham (1990) |
| Rajani | Rendu Rella Aaru (1986) Pratidwani (1986) Majnu (1987) Collector Gari Abbayi (1987) Agni Putrudu (1987) Bhale Mogudu (1987) Aha Naa Pellanta! (1987) Muddu Bidda (1987) Brahma Putrudu (1988) Jeevana Ganga (1988) Murali Krishnudu (1988) Chikkadu Dorakadu (1988) Gaduggai (1989) Chalaki Mogudu Chadastapu Pellam (1989) Bandhuvulostunnaru Jagratha (1989) Dhruva Nakshatram (1989) Neram Nadi Kadu (1989) Prananiki Pranam (1990) |
| Shobana | Vikram (1986) Muddula Manavudu (1987) Manavadostunnaadu (1987) Ajeyudu (1987) Muvva Gopaludu (1987) Abhinandana (1988) Rudra Veena (1988) Paapa Kosam (1988) Alludugaru (1990) Appula Appa Rao (1991) Minor Raja (1991) Rowdy Gaari Pellam (1991) Ahankari (1992) Champion (1992) Gang War (1992) Rakshana (1993) Rendilla Poojari (1993) |
| Khushbu | Kaliyuga Pandavulu (1986) Captain Nagarjun (1986) Chinnodu Peddodu (1988) Prema Kireetam (1988) Chinni Krishnudu (1988) |
| Bhanupriya | Kashmora (1986) Aayanaki Mugguru (1991) |
| Farah | Vijetha Vikram (1987) |
| Mandakini | Bhargava Ramudu (1987) |
| Ranjini | Brahma Rudrulu (1987) |
| Gautami | Srinivasa Kalyanam (1987) Bamma Maata Bangaru Baata (1990) Chaitanya (1991) |
| Amala | Chinababu (1988) Raktha Tilakam (1988) |
| Vijayashanti | Athaku Yamudu Ammayiki Mogudu (1989) Indrudu Chandrudu (1989) Muddula Mavayya (1989) Muddula Menalludu (1990) |
| Juhi Chawla | Vicky Daada (1989) |
| Urvashi | Michael Madana Kama Rajan (1990) (Telugu Dubbed version) Chakram (2005) |
| Aishwarya | Adavilo Abhimanyudu (1989) Pellante Noorella Panta (1992) Subba Rayudi Pelli (1992) Brahma (1992) |
| Yamuna | Mouna Poratam (1989) Puttinti Pattu Cheera (1990) Ghatana (1990) Udayamam (1990) Yerra Mandaram (1991) Mamagaru (1991) Premaku Padu Sutralu (1991) Surigadu (1992) Rajadhani (1993) Brahmachari Mogudu (1994) |
| Divya Bharti | Bobbili Raja (1990) Rowdy Alludu (1991) Naa Ille Naa Swargam (1991) Assembly Rowdy (1991) Chittemma Mogudu (1992) Dharma Kshetram (1992) Tholi Muddhu (1993) |
| Meena | Seetharamayya Gari Manavaralu (1991) Indra Bhavanam (1991) Aswamedham (1992) Moratudu Naa Mogudu (1992) Chanti (1992) Allari Mogudu (1992) Allari Pilla (1992) President Gari Pellam (1992) Sundarakanda (1992) Bangaru Maama (1992) Mutha Mestri (1993) Allari Alludu (1993) Abbaigaru (1993) Rajeswari Kalyanam (1993) Konguchatu Krishnadu (1993) Bhale Pellam (1994) Bobbili Simham (1994) Punya Bhoomi Naa Desam (1995) Aalu Magalu (1995) Chilakapachcha Kaapuram (1995) Muddula Mogudu (1997) Suryavamsam (1998 film) (1998) Bobbili Vamsham (1999) Velugu Needalu (1999) |
| Malashri | Prema Khaidi (1991) Urmila (1993) Allari Police (1994) Thodi kodallu (1994) |
| Naresh | Chitram Bhalare Vichitram (1991) (voice for the female character of Naresh (as "Prema")) |
| Nirosha | Kobbari Bondam (1991) |
| Meenakshi Seshadri | Brahmarshi Vishwamitra (1991) |
| Tabu | Coolie No. 1 (1991) Chennakesava Reddy (2002) |
| Sithara | Niyantha (1991) Srivari Chindulu (1991) Prema Shikaram (1992) |
| Roja | Seetharatnam Gari Abbayi (1992) Bhairava Dweepam (1994) Mugguru Monagallu (1994) Subhalagnam (1994) Ghatotkachudu (1995) Big Boss (1995) Pokkiri Raja (1995) Vajram (1995) Sri Krishnarjuna Vijayam (1996) Peddannayya (1997) Adavilo Anna (1997) Annamayya (film) (1997) Sultan (1999) |
| Mamta Kulkarni | Donga Police (1992) |
| Rambha | Tholi Muddhu (1993) Vetagadu (1995) Maatho Pettukoku (1995) Bombay Priyudu (1996) Hitler (1997) Ganesh (1998) Bavagaru Bagunnara? (1998) Mechanic Mavayya (1999) Moodu Mukkalaata (2000) |
| Nagma | Major Chandrakanth (1993) Kondapalli Raja (1993) Mugguru Monagallu (1994) Gangmaster (1994) Super Police (1995) Bharatha Simham (1995) Saradha Bullodu (1996) |
| Madhu Bala | Allari Priyudu (1993) |
| Revathi | Ankuram (1993) |
| Ramya Krishnan | Major Chandrakanth (1993) Mugguru Monagallu (1994) Allari Premikudu (1994) Muddula Priyudu (1994) Raja Simham (1995) Muddai Muddugumma (1995) Gharana Bullodu (1995) Amma Ammani Chudalani Undhi (1996) Dharma Chakram (1996) Soggadi Pellam (1996) Devudu (1997) Annamaya (1997) Kante Koothurne Kanu (1998) Love Story 1999 (1998) Iddaru Mitrulu (1999) English Pellam East Godavari Mogudu (1999) Vamsoddarakudu (2000) Kshemamga Velli Labamgarandi (2000) Manasu Paddanu Kaani (2000) |
| Aamani | Preme Naa Pranam (1993) Maro Quit India (1994) Aalumagalu (1995) Seethakka (1997) |
| Ooha | Aame (1994) Adalla Majaka (1995) Aayanaki Iddaru (1995) Patha Basti (1995) Sahanam (1996) Family (1996) Ooha (1996) Amma Nanna Kavali (1996) Amma Leni Puttillu (1996) Koothuru (1996) Amma Durgamma (1996) Nayanamma (1997) Aayanagaru (1998) |
| Sukanya | Captain (1994) Bharayteeyudu (1996) |
| Surabhi | Allarodu (1994) |
| Monica Bedi | Tajmahal (1995) Sivayya (1998) |
| Priya Raman | Srivari Priyuralu (1996) Maa Voori Maraju (1996) |
| Shilpa Shetty | Sahasa Veerudu Sagara Kanya (1996) |
| Ranjitha | Maavichiguru (1996) Tata Manavadu (1996) |
| Prema | Maa Avida Collector (1996) Korukunna Priyudu (1997) Omkaram (1997) |
| Madhurima | Gunshot (1996) |
| Ruchita Prasad | Chelikudu (1997) |
| Rachna Banerjee | Pedda Manushulu (1999) Antha Mana Manchike (2000) |
| Anjala Zaveri | Samarasimha Reddy (1999) |
| Soundarya | Raja (1999) Postman (2000) |
| Twinkle Khanna | Seenu (1999) |
| Geetha | Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana (2005) |
| Leena Siddu | Lanka (2017) |