Born on November 7, 1972, in Hyderabad, Telangana, Roja began her acting career in the early 1990s. She made her debut with the Telugu film "Sankeertana" in 1987, but it was her role in the 1992 film "Chanti" that brought her to the limelight. Her performance in the film earned her the Andhra Pradesh State Film Award for Best Actress.