The Indian film industry has lost a true gem. Veteran actor, B Saroja Devi, often hailed as Abhinaya Saraswati, passed away today (July 14) at her residence in Malleswaram, Bengaluru. She was 87 and had been battling age-related health issues. She breathed her last around 9 am today.
Born on January 7, 1938, in Bengaluru, Saroja Devi was encouraged by her parents, especially by her father, a police officer, to learn dance, which led her to the silver screen. She debuted in 1955 with Mahakavi Kalidasa.
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.
In 2008, Saroja Devi won the Lifetime Achievement Award, presented to her by the Government of India. She is also a recipient of the Padma Bhushan (1992) and Padma Shri (1969). Some of the state awards she had won include the Kalaimamani Lifetime Achievement Award by the Government of Tamil Nadu, the Dr. Rajkumar Lifetime Achievement Award by the Government of Karnataka, and the NTR National Award from the Government of Andhra Pradesh for the second time for the year 2009.
Her last appearance was in the 2019 Kannada film Natasaarvabhowma, starring Puneeth Rajkumar.
She married Harsha in 1967 and lost him in 1986. Her final rites will be held next to his memorial at their Kodigehalli farm. She is survived by two children.