The Indian film industry has lost one of its brightest stars. Veteran actress B Saroja Devi, often called the “First Lady of South Indian Cinema”, passed away on Monday, July 14, 2025, at the age of 87 in Bengaluru. She had been suffering from age-related health issues for some time.
Saroja Devi was not just an actress; she was an icon who ruled hearts across generations. Starting her career in 1955 with Mahakavi Kalidasa, she went on to become one of the biggest names in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi cinema.
Her Roots and Journey to Stardom
Born in Bengaluru in 1938, Saroja Devi grew up with dreams far beyond her times. She entered the world of films in 1955 with her debut movie Mahakavi Kalidasa (Kannada), where her natural beauty and innocence caught everyone’s eye. Little did she know that this would be the start of an extraordinary journey across languages and industries.
From there, she became a pan-India star, acting in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi films. Her elegance and powerful performances earned her the titles:
- Abhinaya Saraswathi (Goddess of Acting)
- Kannadathu Paingili (Kannada’s Nightingale).
A Shining Journey in Many Languages
In Kannada Cinema, she was seen in timeless classics like:
- School Master (1958)
- Kittur Chennamma (1961) – where she played the queen who fought the British
- Amarashilpi Jakanachari (1963)
In Tamil Cinema, her pairing with legends M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) and Sivaji Ganesan gave the industry evergreen blockbusters:
- Palum Pazhamum
- Periya Idathu Penn (1963)
- Anbe Vaa (1966)
In Telugu films, she acted with NT Rama Rao in memorable hits like:
- Seetarama Kalyanam (1961)
- Jagadeka Veeruni Katha (1961)
She even made her mark in Hindi Cinema, working with stars like Dilip Kumar (Paigham, 1959) and Sunil Dutt (Beti Bete, 1964).
Awards and Achievements
Saroja Devi was honored multiple times for her incredible contribution to Indian cinema:
- Padma Shri (1969) – for her artistic excellence.
- Padma Bhushan (1992) – one of India’s highest civilian awards.
- Lifetime Achievement Award (2008) – by the Government of India.
She acted in over 200 films during her five-decade-long career and became a symbol of grace, strength, and timeless talent.
Saroja Devi wasn’t just an actress; she was an inspiration for countless women and young artists. She proved that dedication, simplicity, and hard work can create history. Even today, her films are watched with the same love across generations.
As fans and celebrities pay their respects, one thing is certain – her presence on screen may have ended, but her light will never fade.
An Emotional Goodbye
B. Saroja Devi leaves behind not just a rich legacy of films but also the memory of a golden era of Indian cinema. Her journey from a simple girl in Bengaluru to a superstar across 4 film industries shows what dreams and talent can achieve.
Rest in peace, Saroja Devi. You will always live in our hearts through your art.
