Mamilla Shailaja Priya (popularly known as Priya) is an Indian actress born on 20 May 1978 in Bapatla, Guntur district (now Bapatla district), Andhra Pradesh. Her parents are Mamilla Venkateswar Rao and Mamilla Kusuma Kumari. She completed her B.A. degree before embarking on her acting career. She is married to MVS Kishore and has one daughter. She began her acting career at the age of 19 in Bollywood, making her debut in a supporting role in the Chiranjeevi-starrer Master (1997), later appearing in films alongside actress Soundarya and in Tamil and Hindi productions as well. She built her main career in the Telugu television industry, where she became a recognisable face through long-running daily serials including Kotha Bangaaram, No.1 Kodalu, the iconic ETV serial Sasirekha Parinayam (2009), and Priya Sakhi. Over her career, she has appeared in approximately 200 Telugu feature films in various character and supporting roles, cementing her reputation as one of the Telugu television industry's most experienced and versatile performers. She has won the Nandi Award for Best Television Actress. In September 2021, she entered Bigg Boss Telugu Season 5 hosted by Nagarjuna, bringing decades of industry experience to the house. She was eliminated in Week 7 (Day 48), finishing thirteenth.
Her role in the iconic Telugu serial Sasirekha Parinayam (ETV, 2009); her appearances in the long-running serials Kotha Bangaaram, No.1 Kodalu, and Priya Sakhi; her career spanning over 200 Telugu feature films in supporting and character roles; winning the Nandi Award for Best Television Actress; finishing thirteenth in Bigg Boss Telugu Season 5 (2021).