Legendary actress B. Saroja Devi passed away at the age of 87 on Monday morning at 9 am at her residence in Malleswaram, Bengaluru. She was battling a prolonged period of illness linked to age-related health issues. She had been undergoing treatment at a private hospital prior to her demise.

Saroja Devi’s illustrious career spanned across several decades and four major film industries – Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi. She appeared opposite cinema legends like M.G. Ramachandran (MGR), Sivaji Ganesan, and N.T. Rama Rao, and also worked with Bollywood stalwarts including Dilip Kumar (Paigham, 1959), Rajendra Kumar (Sasural, 1961), and Sunil Dutt (Beti Bete, 1964).

B. Saroja Devi’s debut

Her acting debut came at the age of 17 with the Kannada classic Mahakavi Kalidasa (1955), which earned her a National Award for her powerful performance. But it was the Tamil film Nadodi Mannan (1958), opposite MGR, that gave her pan-South Indian stardom. Her legacy continued long after her marriage in 1967, as she remained a leading lady in films for years after.

Condolences from the film fraternity

Tributes flooded social media as fans and celebrities mourned the loss of the cinematic legend.

Superstar Rajinikanth paid his respects via X (formerly Twitter), writing, “The great actress Saroja Devi, who won the hearts of millions of fans, is no longer with us. May her soul rest in peace.”

Actor Kichcha Sudeep described her as a “Goddess of Acting,” stating, “Like a parijata flower, she has lived a full life with her fragrance and has now departed from us.”

Renowned comedian and composer Sadhu Kokila, who currently serves as president of the Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy, said her passing was a loss “not only to Kannada but to the entire Indian film industry.”

Actress and politician Khushbu Sundar remembered her with deep affection: “#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 adorable soul she was. Had a great rapport with her… Will miss her immensely.”

Choreographer-actor Prabhudheva also honoured her memory, saying that her elegance and contribution to cinema would never fade.

Tamil actress Simran, who shared the screen with Saroja Devi in the 1997 film ‘Once More’, said, “The legacy of Saroja Devi in Indian cinema will remain eternal.”

Actor Karthi reflected on her lasting impact, writing, “Having acted alongside all leading heroes and starred as the heroine in over 200 films, she guided generations of women through her art, discipline, and dedication.”

Often referred to as Kannada cinema’s first female superstar, B. Saroja Devi was celebrated for her grace and commanding screen presence. She also won the Padma Shri in 1969 and the Padma Bhushan in 1992. She was also the recipient of the Kalaimamani Award from the Government of Tamil Nadu and received an honorary doctorate from Bangalore University.