Legendary South Cinema Actress Passes Away
Veteran actress B. Saroja Devi, fondly called “Abhinaya Saraswathi” and the first female superstar of Kannada cinema, passed away today (July 14, 2025) at her residence in Malleswaram, Bengaluru at the age of 87. Her death has been attributed to age-related illness.
An Icon Across Four Languages
Saroja Devi made her screen debut in 1955 with the Kannada classic Mahakavi Kalidasa. Over her prolific seven-decade career, she appeared in more than 200 films across Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi cinema. She gained fame through the Tamil hit Nadodi Mannan (1958) and earned titles such as “Kannadathu Paingili” (Kannada’s Parrot).
Accolades & Cultural Legacy
A recipient of both Padma Shri (1969) and Padma Bhushan (1992), Saroja Devi also received honors including an honorary doctorate from Bangalore University and the Tamil Nadu Kalaimamani award. She was the only actress to play lead roles in 161 consecutive films between 1955 and 1984.
Tributes Pour In
Political and film figures mourned the loss. “Her departure is a great loss to Indian cinema,” said Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on X (formerly Twitter), highlighting her soulful performances. Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar described her as “Abhinaya Saraswathi” and praised her six-decade contribution to film.
Final Word
B. Saroja Devi’s legacy is etched in the golden era of South Indian cinema—her versatility, grace, and iconic roles transcended generations. As cinema mourns her loss, her films and contributions will continue to inspire. For more tributes and updates, check our latest news section.
