Saroja Devi, Indian Cinema's Timeless Icon, Passes Away
In Memoriam: B. Saroja Devi (1938–2025)
Today, the Indian film industry bid farewell to B. Saroja Devi, the legendary actress revered as the "Abhinaya Saraswathi" of Kannada cinema and a trailblazer across Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi films. She passed away in Bengaluru at 87 due to age-related ailments, leaving behind a legacy that shaped Indian cinema for seven decades.
Born on January 7, 1938, in Bangalore, Mysore State, to Bhairappa, a police officer, and Rudramma, Saroja Devi was the fourth daughter in a Vokkaliga family. Her father’s encouragement led her to the silver screen, where she debuted at 17 in the Kannada film Mahakavi Kalidasa (1955). Her breakthrough came with Nadodi Mannan (1958) opposite M. G. Ramachandran, cementing her as a Tamil cinema sensation. Known as "Chaturbhaasha Taare" for her versatility across four languages, she starred in over 200 films, including 161 consecutive roles as the lead heroine—a world record.
Saroja Devi’s collaborations with icons like MGR, N. T. Rama Rao, Rajkumar, and Dilip Kumar produced classics like Enga Veettu Pillai, Seetarama Kalyanam, and Paigham. Her portrayals, often as the spirited "rich girl," set fashion trends and captivated audiences. After marrying engineer Sri Harsha in 1967, she balanced stardom with personal life, continuing to act even after his passing in 1986. Her later roles, including Natasaarvabhowma (2019), showcased her enduring charm.
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Beyond acting, Saroja Devi’s philanthropy shone through charitable trusts and donation camps in memory of her husband, daughter Bhuvaneshwari, and mother. Honored with the Padma Shri (1969), Padma Bhushan (1992), and a Lifetime Achievement Award (2008), she was also the first woman to chair the feature film jury at the 45th National Film Festival.
Saroja Devi’s grace, discipline, and contributions to cinema and society remain unmatched. She is survived by her legacy of 147 box-office hits and the love of millions. Indian cinema has lost a luminary, but her radiance will forever inspire.
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