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.

Roja Ramani
Born
Other namesChemparathy Shobana
OccupationActress
Spouse
Chakrapani
(m. 1981)
ChildrenTarun
Amulya

Early life

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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

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Ramani seen 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 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

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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

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National Film Award for Best Child Artist for portraying Prahlada in Bhakta Prahlada – 1967

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

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Malayalam: credited as Shobana

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Tamil

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Telugu

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Kannada

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Odia

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

Hindi

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Voice artist

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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)

References

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  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. ^ "Raaja (1976)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  4. ^ Roja Ramani filmography from Cinegoer http://www.cinegoer.com/tollydb/rojaramani.htm
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