Tributes have been pouring in for veteran actor Saroja Devi who passed away at her Bengaluru residence on Monday. The actor who battled age-related issues, passed away at the age of 87. Among other celebrities, Radikaa Sarathkumar, who shares a close bond with Saroja Devi, recalls many moments from their relationship and fondly remembers her constant presence from when she was a little girl.

Calling the veteran actor a "true superstar", Radikaa says, "From Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam, she ruled the south Indian industry and wherever she went, she was a superstar and the biggest sought-after actress of her time. I don't think any actress has reached the heights she has."

Elaborating more on her life and career in the "golden era of cinema", she says, "She acted alongside MG Ramachandran, Sivaji Ganesan, NTR garu, Rajkumar garu and even Prem Nazir sir. You name any veteran actor, she would have worked with them. She was an embodiment of being womanly, child-like, and alluring. She can express every emotional without looking bad. With her dignity, she would look so beautiful. Her voice and the way she talks, her eyes... everything was so unique about her. People say, 'Enna nee periya Saroja Devi nu ninappa'. Some filmmakers would say, 'Madam indha edathula konjam Saroja Devi mari nadandhu vaanga'. That is the legacy she has carved in her career."

Radikaa also revealed details about her relationship with the star. As a family friend and advisor, the actor recalled several phone calls with Saroja Devi where she has shared her words of warm encouragement with Radikaa. "I met her during Puthiya Paravai (1964) shooting. I had gone to see the filming with my father. I was a little girl and I remember seeing her with so much of awe. Later on, when I became an actor as well, she was so proud of me. She would never call me Radikaa, but would always address me as Radha anna ponnu. I remember during Chithi and Vani Rani, she would call me and congratulate me for my works and say, 'Nee nalla nadigai'. Whenever I go to Bengaluru, I used to visit her house. Over time, as everyone got busy, I was not able to speak much with her. Although I knew she was ailing, the news has saddened me," she adds, underlining that she was always concerned about all the notable changes happening in the industry. "She was always there to voice her opinions and give her presence about anything in the industry. Not a lot of people achieved the success she had attained in her career," she says.