Roja Ramani

Roja Ramani (also known as Chemparathy Shobana; born 16 September 1959) is an Indian actress who predominantly worked in Malayalam 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 haans acted in Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada and Tamil 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.

Roja Ramani
Born	(1959-09-16) 16 September 1959 (age 63) Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh, India
Other names	Chemparathy Shobana
Occupation	Actress
Spouse	Chakrapani ​ (m. 1981)​
Children	Tarun Amulya

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.^[1]

Career

 

Ramani seen in leftmost

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 same 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 Oriya. She also lent her voice for over 400 films in Telugu and Tamil for all the leading heroines at the time like Suhasini, Meena, Roja, Raadhika, Soundarya, Ramba, Ramya Krishna, Vijaya Shanthi, Shilpa Shetty, Divya Bharathi, Nagma, and Khushbu.

She also 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 and rewards 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

Telugu

• 1967 – Bhakta Prahalada
• 1969 - Sattekalapu Satteya
• 1971 – Ramalayam
• 1973 – Kanne Vayasu
• 1974 – O Seeta Katha^[2]
• 1975 – Moguda Pellama
• 1975 – Bali Peetam as Sarada's sister
• 1976 – Muthyala Pallaki
• 1977 – Alu Magalu
• 1978 – Lambadolla Ramadasu
• 1979 - Driver Ramudu as Meena (NTR's sister)
• 1979 – Sommokadidhi Sokokadidhi^[3]
• 1979 – Punadhirallu
• 1986 – Magadheerudu
• 1986 – Kashmora
• 1991 - Assembly Rowdy as News Reader

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
• 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 - Vandikaran Magan - Kokila
• 1979 - Sigappukkal Mookkuthi
• 1979 - Iru Nilavugal - Chellam
• 1980 - Deiveega Raagangal
• 1980 - Aayiram Vaasal Idhayam - Vijaya
• 1982 - Murai Ponnu (1982)
• 1982 - Sangili (1982)

Kannada

• 1968 – Bedi Bandavalu
• 1977 – Kokila
• 1978 – Muyyige Muyyi
• 1981 – Bhoomige Banda Bhagavantha

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)
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) 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)
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) 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) Sahanam (1996) Family (1996) Ooha (1996) Amma Nanna Kavali (1996) Koothuru (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)

References

1. "rediff.com, Movies: 'They refer to Tarun as Bhakta Prahlada's kid': Roja Ramani".
2. O Seeta Katha movie profile Telugu Cinema.com http://www.telugucinema.com/c/publish/movieretrospect/oseetakatha_retro_printer.php
3. Roja Ramani filmography from Cinegoer http://www.cinegoer.com/tollydb/rojaramani.htm

External links

• Roja Ramani at IMDb