supporting roles in *Bala Gopaludu* (1989) and *Muddula Mavayya* (1989), followed by appearances in *Kshana Kshanam* (1991) and the comedy *Money* (1993). After an initial hiatus, she returned to acting in supporting comedic and character roles.

Across the 2000s and 2010s, Hema worked in mainstream commercial cinema, with roles in *Murari* (2001), the romantic comedy *Nuvvu Naaku Nachav* (2001), *Athadu* (2005), and the fantasy action film *Magadheera* (2009). For her performance in the romantic comedy *Konchem Ishtam Konchem Kashtam* (2009), she won the Nandi Award for Best Female Comedian. Her subsequent credits include *Julayi* (2012), *Atharintiki Daaredi* (2013), and the romantic comedy-drama *Oohalu Gusagusalade* (2014). On television, she participated as a contestant on *Bigg Boss Telugu* (2019) and appeared in the streaming series *3 Roses* (2021).