Tributes and condolences are pouring in from all corners of Indian cinema for legendary actor B Saroja Devi, who breathed her last earlier this Monday. The actor made her final appearance in Tamil with 2009's Aadhavan, starring Suriya and Nayanthara in the lead roles. The film proved an unforgettable experience for her co-star Ramesh Khanna. In an exclusive conversation with CE, Ramesh says, "I have been a big fan of Saroja Devi ma'am since my childhood. She is an artist with a loving and down-to-earth personality. I could act with her in Aadhavan as KS Ravikumar accepted my idea of casting her in the film."
Ramesh, who also wrote the story for Aadhavan, created a character for himself so that he could act alongside Saroja Devi. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that Ramesh's first scene in Aadhavan pays a hit tip to the legendary actor. "In my introduction scene in the film, my character sings the song 'Andru Vanthathum Ore Nila', and her character also sings back to me. After shooting the scene, I told her, 'You sang with me a long time after performing a duet with MGR,' and it brought a smile from her."
Ramesh shares a personal anecdote that shows how much his relationship with the late actor meant to him. "In 2023, I called her for my second son's wedding in Bengaluru, and she came for it and took a photograph alongside everyone. We would talk to each other over the phone now and then. Her passing is a big loss."
Describing his co-star as 'Abhinaya Saraswathi', like everyone else in the industry, Ramesh weighed in on his favourite aspects of her acting. "She would depict minute details of a character extremely well. She has acted with all superstars, and she is a person who has acted without showing any glamour."
The actor also reveals that Saroja Devi would be present on set before he would reach. "I would tell her, 'Why are you in this early?' and she would reply, saying, 'It is important to respect the story first and foremost.'" She would also not go into the caravan and would rather sit on a chair outside and engage in conversations with all of us." He goes on to add, "This exemplifies her background. After all, she came from a tradition that respected her co-stars and contemporaries."
Ramesh also expresses his regret at not being able to go to Bengaluru and attend Saroja Devi's funeral. "I really wanted to go there but am caught up with shoot at Kodaikanal."