Rohini Molleti is an Indian actress, screenwriter, lyricist, and dubbing artist who primarily appears in Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam films. In 2022, she came into the limelight for playing the role of Indrani in the Tamil film Witness, which is based on the deaths caused by manual scavenging.
Wiki/Biography
Rohini Molleti was born on 15 December 1969 in Thummapala, Anakapalle, Andhra Pradesh, India. Her zodiac sign is Saggitarius.
Childhood picture of Rohini Molleti
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 4″
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Family
Parents & Siblings
Rohini’s father, Appa Rao Naidu, was a panchayat officer, and her mother, Radha was a homemaker, who passed away when Rohini was five. Later, her father got remarried.
Rohini Molleti with her father Appa Rao Naidu
Husband & Children
In 1996, Rohini Molleti got married to Raghuvaran Velayutham, an Indian actor, who passed away on 19 March 2008, at the age of 49, in Chennai due to cardiac arrest. The couple has a son, Rishi Varan, who was born in 1998. In 2004, the couple got legally divorced.
Rohini Molleti with her husband, Raghuvaran Velayutham, and son, Rishi Varan
Rohini Molleti with her son Rishi Varan (left) and actor, Rajinikanth (middle) during the release of her husband, Raghuvaran Moletti’s music album, “Raghuvaran- A Musical Journey”
Career
Film
In 1972, Rohini made her acting debut as a child artist with the Hindi film Darar in which she played the role of Laajo.
In 1976, she made her Tamil debut as a child artist with the film Mayor Meenakshi.
Poster of Rohini Molleti’s debut Tamil film as a child artist, Mayor Meenakshi (1976)
In 1982, Rohini made her Malayalam debut with the film Kakka in which she played the role of Devi.
Poster of Rohini Molleti’s debut Malayalam film Kakka (1982) as Devi
In 1987, she made her Kannada debut with the film Sri Chamundeshwari Pooja Mahime as Kumari Malathi.
Poster of Rohini Molleti’s debut Kannada film Sri Chamundeshwari Pooja Mahime (1987) in which she played the role of Kumari Malathi
In 1991, Rohini appeared in a lead role as Pavunnu in the Tamil film Pavunnu Pavunuthan. In 1993, she played the lead role of Elsamma in the Malayalam film Samaagamam. In 1995, she received positive acclaim for the Telugu film Stri in which she played the lead role of Rangi.
Rohini Molleti as Rangi in a still from the Telugu film Stri (1995)
In 2015, Rohini appeared in the pan-India film Baahubali: The Beginning in which she played the role of Sanga, Prabhas‘s character, Mahendra Baahubali’s adoptive mother.
Rohini Molleti as Sanga in a still from the pan-India film Baahubali-The Beginning (2015)
In 2022, she appeared in the Telugu film Sita Ramam as Vijayalakshmi and Tamil film Witness as Indrani.
Rohini Molleti (left) as in a still from the Tamil film Witness (2022) as Indrani
Lyricist
Rohini has written lyrics for songs in a few Tamil films like Pachaikili Muthucharam (2007) for “Unakkul Naane,” Villu (2009) for “Jalsa,” Mundhinam Paartheney (2010) for “Maya, Kanavena,” Maalai Pozhudhin Mayakathilaey (2012) for all songs, and Galatta Kalyanam (2020) for “Murali Mogha.”
Director
In 1995, Rohini made her directorial debut with the Tamil television show Chinna Chinna Aasai on Sun TV. In 2008, she directed a documentary film, Silent Hues: The Invisible Spectrum of Child Actors. In 2013, Rohini directed the Tamil film Appaavin Meesai.
Television
TV Show
In 1995, Rohini made her television debut with the Tamil show Chinna Chinna Aasai in which she played the role of Ganga on Sun TV.
Rohini Molleti as Ganga in a still from the Tamil television show Chinna Chinna Aasai (1995) on Sun TV
Host
Rohini hosted a few Tamil television shows like Kelvigal Aayiram on Star Vijay, Rohini’s Box Office on Raj TV, and Kelvigal Neram on Vendhar TV. In 2013, she hosted the Malayalam television show Kadha Ithu Vare on Mazhavil Manorama.
Web Series
In 2020, Rohini made her digital debut with the Telugu mini TV web series Addham in which she played the role of Shanti on AHA.
Rohini Molleti as Shanti in a still from the Telugu web series Addham (2020) on AHA
In 2021, she played the role of Valambal in the Tamil web series Navarasa on Netflix. In 2022, Rohini appeared in the Telugu mini TV web series Meet Cute as Padma on SonyLIV and 9 Hours as Kamakshi on Disney+ Hotstar.
Rohini Molleti as Padma in a still from the Telugu mini TV web series Meet Cute (2022) on SonyLIV
In the same year, she played the role of Dhanalakshmi in the Malayalam web series Freedom Fight.
Others
Rohini worked as the writer for the telefilm Geethanjali (Tamil) and Nerukku Neer (Malayalam) on Doordarshan. In 2019, she was invited to judge the comedy reality show Comedy Stars season 2 on Asianet.
Dubbing Artist
Rohini worked as a dubbing artist primarily for Tamil and Telugu films. Some of the notable actresses to whom she lent her voice are Girija Shettar for Geethanjali (1989), Juhi Chawla for Shanti Kranti (1991), Aishwarya Rai Bachchan for Iruvar (1997), Guru (2007), and Raavanan (2010), and Manisha Koirala for Bombay (1995), Mappillai (2011), and 99 Songs (2021).
Awards
- 1995: National Film Award – Special Mention for the Telugu film Stri
- 1995: Nandi Special Jury Award for Rohini’s performance in the Telugu film Stri
- 2009: Kalaimamani Award by the Government of Tamil Nadu for her contribution to the film industry
- 2017: Best Supporting Actress Award for the Malayalam film Guppy at the Vanitha Film Awards
- 2017: Best Supporting Actress Award for the Malayalam film Guppy at the CPC Cine Awards
- 2017: Best Supporting Actress Award for the Malayalam film Action Hero Biju at the Vanitha Film Awards
- 2017: Best Supporting Actress Award for the Malayalam film Action Hero Biju at the CPC Cine Awards
Facts/Trivia
- Rohini describes herself as a nemophilist (one who is inclined towards nature and its serene views), and she loves to spend her time observing and connecting with nature.
- Rohini is an avid animal lover, and she has a pet dog, Cleo.
Rohini Molleti’s pet dog, Cleo
- Rohini is associated with different social awareness campaigns and programs. Being a social activist, she works for promoting AIDS awareness among people and has directed short films for M.G.R. Medical University and Tamil Nadu Aids Control Society regarding raising awareness among people about AIDS.
- Since childhood, Rohini’s father aspired to become an actor, and he often visited several audition locations to earn a role in the film. One day, he went on to an audition location with his daughter, Rohini, when she was 5 years old. The casting directors found Rohini suitable for a child role, and she was cast for their next film, which eventually fulfilled her father’s dream.
- Rohini often workouts regularly to keep herself fit and healthy.
Rohini Molleti at the gym
- In 1995, Rohini made her singing debut with the song Kanmaniye Kanmaniye from the Tamil film Chinna Vathiyar.
- In 2022, Rohini appeared in a commercial for Gold Winner’s cooking oil.