Legendary actress B Saroja Devi, one of Indian cinema’s most enduring stars, has passed away at the age of 87, leaving behind a remarkable legacy.
Often referred to as the first female superstar of Kannada cinema, she made her debut with Mahakavi Kalidasa in 1955 and rose to fame with Nadodi Mannan (1958) alongside M.G. Ramachandran.
Over a career that spanned four decades and four major film industries — Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi — Saroja Devi became a household name.
She shared screen space with icons like Sivaji Ganesan, N.T. Rama Rao, and Dr. Rajkumar, acting in a record 161 consecutive lead roles between 1955 and 1984.
Her contributions were widely recognized with prestigious honours including the Padma Shri (1969), Padma Bhushan (1992), and the Kalaimamani Award.
Affectionately known as “Kannadathu Paingili” and “Abhinaya Saraswathi,” she was admired for her elegance, versatility, and cultural grace.
Even after retiring from acting, Saroja Devi remained active in the arts, mentoring young talent and serving on film juries.
Her death marks the end of an era, but her influence on Indian cinema continues to shine brightly.
