Roja Ramani, also known as Chemparathy Shobana, is a distinguished Indian actress renowned for her extensive work across multiple South Indian film industries, including Telugu, Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, and Odia. Her career, spanning from her early days as a child artist to becoming a celebrated actress and dubbing artist, showcases her versatility and dedication to the craft.
Personal Details of Roja Ramani
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Roja Ramani |
| Other Names | Chemparathy Shobana |
| Date of Birth | September 16, 1959 |
| Age | 65 years (as of 2024) |
| Birthplace | Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Profession | Actress, Dubbing Artist |
| Height | Approximately 5 feet 4 inches (163 cm) |
| Weight | Around 60 kg (132 lbs) |
| Zodiac Sign | Virgo |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | Chakrapani |
| Children | Son: Tarun; Daughter: Amulya |
| Languages Known | Telugu, Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, Odia, Hindi |
| Hobbies | Social Service, Animal Welfare |
Early Life and Bio
Born on September 16, 1959, in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh, Roja Ramani was the only child of her parents. Her father was a journalist with Picture Post, and the family relocated to Madras (now Chennai) when she was six months old. This move played a pivotal role in shaping her future in the film industry.
Career Journey
Debut as a Child Artist
Roja Ramani’s entry into the film industry was marked by her debut at the tender age of seven in the Telugu film Bhakta Prahlada (1967), where she portrayed the titular role of Prahlada. This film holds the distinction of being the first full-length Eastman color feature in Telugu cinema and was produced by AVM Productions. Her performance was lauded, earning her the National Film Award for Best Child Artist.
Transition to Lead Roles
At 13, Roja Ramani transitioned to lead roles, making a significant impact with the Malayalam film Chemparathy (1972). Her portrayal of Santha in this film was critically acclaimed, earning her the Filmfare Best Actress Malayalam award. The film’s success led to its remakes in Telugu as Kanne Vayasu and in Tamil as Paruva Kaalam, both featuring her in the lead roles.
Prolific Acting Career
Throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, Roja Ramani established herself as a versatile actress, appearing in over 130 films across various languages, including Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Hindi, and Odia. Her notable works during this period include:
- Telugu Films: Sommokadidhi Sokokadidhi (1979), Driver Ramudu (1979)
- Tamil Films: Iru Malargal (1967), Paruva Kaalam (1974)
- Malayalam Films: Chemparathy (1972), Panitheeratha Veedu (1973), Chaayam (1973)
- Odia Films: Srikrushna Rasa Leela (1976)
Her ability to adapt to diverse roles and languages made her a sought-after actress in the Indian film industry.
Dubbing Artist
In addition to acting, Roja Ramani showcased her talent as a dubbing artist, lending her voice to over 400 films in Telugu and Tamil. She provided dubbing for leading actresses such as Suhasini, Meena, Roja, Radhika, Soundarya, Rambha, Ramya Krishna, Vijayashanti, Shilpa Shetty, Divya Bharti, Nagma, and Khushbu.
Filmography
| Year | Film Name | Character | Language |
| 1967 | Bhakta Prahlada | Prahlada | Telugu |
| 1967 | Iru Malargal | Tamil | |
| 1970 | Namma Kuzhandaigal | Tamil | |
| 1971 | Poompatta | Sumathy | Malayalam |
| 1972 | Chemparathy | Santha | Malayalam |
| 1972 | Apna Desh | Hindi | |
| 1973 | Panitheeratha Veedu | Leela | Malayalam |
| 1973 | Chaayam | Malayalam | |
| 1973 | Jaise Ko Taisa | Munni | Hindi |
| 1974 | Paruva Kaalam | Shantha | Tamil |
| 1974 | O Seeta Katha | Telugu | |
| 1975 | Mattoru Seetha | Malayalam | |
| 1977 | Kokila | Chenni | Kannada |
| 1979 | Sommokadidhi Sokokadidhi | Seetalu | Telugu |
| 1979 | Driver Ramudu | Meena | Telugu |
| 1980 | Agni Kshethram | Radha | Malayalam |
| 1980 | Bhaktha Hanuman | Sita | Malayalam |
| 1981 | Kadathu | Maalu | Malayalam |
| 1981 | Oothikachiya Ponnu | Shalini | Malayalam |
| 1981 | Sandhya Ragam | Malayalam | |
| 1991 | *Lambadolla Ramadasu |
Lesser-Known Facts About Roja Ramani
- First Female Child Actor to Win a National Award: Roja Ramani was the first female child artist in South India to win the National Film Award for Best Child Artist for her performance in Bhakta Prahlada (1967).
- Multi-Lingual Acting Career: She has acted in six different languages, including Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Hindi, and Odia, making her one of the most versatile actresses of her time.
- Famous for Dubbing: After her acting career, she became a prominent dubbing artist and has given her voice to over 400 films, dubbing for top actresses like Suhasini, Meena, Roja, Soundarya, Radhika, and Ramya Krishna.
- Chemparathy Changed Her Career: The Malayalam film Chemparathy (1972) was a turning point in her career, leading to her recognition as a leading lady in Indian cinema.
- Came from a Non-Film Family: Unlike many actresses, she had no prior connections in the film industry and established herself purely through talent and hard work.
Public Image and Social Work
Even after stepping away from mainstream acting, Roja Ramani remains actively involved in social work and charity. She is known for her contributions to animal welfare organizations and social service initiatives. She has also been a guest on several talk shows and award functions, reflecting on her illustrious career and sharing insights about the golden era of cinema.
She is respected for her humility, dedication to cinema, and willingness to guide young artists in the industry. Roja Ramani continues to attend film festivals and retrospectives, where her classic films are honored.
Net Worth and Financial Status
Roja Ramani has accumulated a significant net worth through her acting career, dubbing work, and television appearances. While her exact net worth is not publicly available, estimates suggest it ranges between ₹10-15 crore ($1.2-1.8 million USD) as of 2024.
Her primary sources of income include:
- Acting in films across multiple languages
- Dubbing for leading actresses in Telugu and Tamil cinema
- Guest appearances and public events
- Brand endorsements and promotional work
Future Prospects
Even though she has largely retired from acting, Roja Ramani continues to contribute to the industry in various capacities. With the rise of OTT platforms and digital entertainment, there is speculation that she might return to films or web series in character roles.
Her experience as a dubbing artist also allows her to mentor and train aspiring voice-over artists. Fans continue to cherish her contributions to Indian cinema, and her legacy remains an inspiration to future generations of actors.
Conclusion
Roja Ramani’s journey from a child artist to a celebrated actress and dubbing artist is truly remarkable. She has played iconic roles across six languages, earning critical and commercial success. Her ability to seamlessly transition from acting to dubbing has solidified her position as a versatile artist in Indian cinema.
Even after decades, her memorable performances in films like Bhakta Prahlada, Chemparathy, Panitheeratha Veedu, and Driver Ramudu continue to be celebrated by cinephiles. With her immense contribution to South Indian cinema, Roja Ramani remains one of the most admired and respected actresses in the industry.
