The curtain has fallen on a golden era of Indian cinema as legendary actress B. Saroja Devi, affectionately known as "Kannadathu Paingili" and "Abhinaya Saraswathi," passed away at 87 due to age-related health issues at her Malleswaram residence in Bengaluru. Found unresponsive, she was rushed to a hospital where doctors pronounced her dead, leaving the film fraternity and fans in deep mourning.

Saroja Devi, Kannada cinema’s first female superstar, debuted at 17 with the National Award-winning Mahakavi Kalidasa (1955) and went on to shine in over 200 films across Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi. Her iconic roles in classics like Nadodi Mannan (1958) and Kittur Chennamma (1961) cemented her as a household name, captivating audiences with her grace and versatility alongside legends like M.G. Ramachandran and Sivaji Ganesan.

Social media erupted with tributes, led by superstar Rajinikanth, who posted on X, “The legendary actress Saroja Devi, who captured the hearts of millions, is no longer with us. May her soul rest in peace. #SarojaDevi.” Actress-politician Khushbu Sundar shared a heartfelt note, writing, “An era of golden cinema comes to an end. #SarojaDevi amma was the greatest of all times. No other female actor in south has ever enjoyed the name and fame as her. Such a lovable soul. I’ll miss her immensely.”

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Veteran actress Madhoo Shah, formerly Madhubala, penned an emotional Instagram tribute: “Rest in peace Saroja Devi Amma… you remind me of my own Amma, who dreamed of being an actress. You were her idol and inspiration.” From Karnataka’s Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to stars like Kamal Haasan and Kichcha Sudeep, condolences poured in, hailing her as a timeless icon whose legacy will inspire generations.

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