Legendary Actress Saroja Devi, Abhinaya Saraswathi, Passes Away at 87
Bengaluru, July 14, 2025 – The Indian film industry mourns the loss of veteran actress B. Saroja Devi, who breathed her last today at her residence in Malleswaram, Bengaluru, due to age-related ailments. She was 87. Fondly revered as ‘Abhinaya Saraswathi’ (Goddess of Acting) and ‘Kannadathu Paingili’ (Kannada’s Parrot), her illustrious career spanned over six decades, leaving an indelible mark on Indian cinema 12.
A Stellar Career Across Languages
Saroja Devi began her cinematic journey at 17, debuting in the 1955 Kannada classic Mahakavi Kalidasa, which also earned her a National Award 48. Her breakthrough came with the 1958 Tamil blockbuster Nadodi Mannan, opposite M.G. Ramachandran (MGR), catapulting her to pan-Indian fame. Over her career, she starred in over 200 films across Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi, working with legends like Sivaji Ganesan, N.T. Rama Rao, Rajkumar, and Shammi Kapoor 16.
Awards and Accolades
Her contributions were recognized with:
- Padma Shri (1969) and Padma Bhushan (1992) 1
- Kalaimamani Award from Tamil Nadu 6
- Honorary Doctorate from Bangalore University 8
Political and Industry Tributes
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed grief, recalling her iconic roles in Kittur Chennamma, Babruvahana, and Annathangi, calling her demise a "significant loss to Indian cinema" 27. Superstar Rajinikanth and actor-politician Khushbu Sundar also paid heartfelt tributes, with Sundar describing her as "the greatest of all times" 510.
Fin]al Farewell
Her mortal remains will be kept at her Malleswaram home before the last rites at 12 PM tomorrow 2.
Saroja Devi’s legacy as a trailblazing actress, fashion icon, and cultural symbol will continue to inspire
