In the early hours of Monday morning, veteran actor Saroja Devi breathed her last due to age-related ailments. The Indian film industry has been in grief and has been mourning the loss. The latest is actor Rajinikanth, who took to his official X post to condole the demise of the actor. 

He wrote on X, “The great actress Saroja Devi, who won the hearts of millions of fans, is no longer with us. May her soul rest in peace.” (sic)

Rajinikanth and Saroja Devi had not performed together in a film. Often hailed as Abhinaya Saraswati, Saroja Devi passed away at her residence in Malleswaram, Bengaluru. She was 87 and had been battling age-related health issues.

With a career that spanned over seven decades and more than 200 films, Saroja Devi ruled hearts across languages—Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi. She was honoured with Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan for her immense contribution to Indian cinema.

In Kannada, she starred opposite Dr Rajkumar and Kalyan Kumar in landmark films like Amarashilpi Jakanachari, Bhagyavantharu, Babruvahana, and Katha Sangama.

Saroja Devi starred with both veteran superstars Sivaji Ganesan and MGR. She first acted alongside Sivaji in Thangamalai Ragasiyam in 1957, following which she collaborated with MGR in Nadodi Mannan in 1958. She was part of 22 hits with Sivaji, including Thiruvilaiyadal, Paalum Pazhamum, Bhaaga Pirivinai. With MGR, the actor gave 26 hits like Anbe Vaa, Enga Veettu Pillai, and Aayirathil Oruvan, cutting across genres. These films cemented Saroja Devi's status as one of Tamil cinema's most loved heroines of her era.

In Telugu, she shone in devotional and mythological roles with films like Panduranga Mahatyam and Daksha Yagnam. She was equally successful in Hindi cinema, with notable roles in Asha, Gharana, and Mehendi Laga Ke Rakhna, sharing screen space with stars like Rajendra Kumar and Shammi Kapoor.