Kannada Film Legend B. Saroja Devi Passes Away at 87 in Bengaluru

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Bengaluru, July 14, 2025 – Veteran actress Bangalore Saroja Devi, affectionately known as Kannada cinema’s first female superstar, passed away this morning at her Malleswaram residence in Bengaluru. She was 87.

A pioneer of Indian cinema, Saroja Devi made her acting debut in 1954 and went on to star in nearly 200 films across Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi languages . Fondly dubbed “Abhinaya Saraswathi” (Saraswathi of acting) in Kannada, she also earned the title “Kannadathu Paingili” (Kannada’s Parrot) in Tamil .

Born on January 7, 1938, in Bengaluru (then Bangalore, Mysore State) , her meteoric rise began at age 17 with the Kannada hit Mahakavi Kalidasa (1955). She further solidified her stardom in Telugu with Panduranga Mahatyam (1957) and became one of Tamil cinema’s top actresses after Nadodi Mannan (1958) . Though she continued acting in Tamil pictures until the mid-1970s, she remained a leading presence in Kannada and Telugu films through the 1980s; in Hindi cinema, she enjoyed a successful run until the mid-1960s .

Remarkably, B. Saroja Devi remains the only actress in Indian cinema history to have headlined the lead role in 161 consecutive films over 29 years, from 1955 to 1984 .

Her accolades include India’s prestigious Padma Shri in 1969 and the Padma Bhushan in 1992, along with honorary distinctions such as a doctorate from Bangalore University and the Tamil Nadu Kalaimamani Award .

Early this morning, she succumbed to age-related health issues at approximately 9 AM at her residence in Malleswaram .

Legacy and Remembrance
B. Saroja Devi remains a beacon of classical elegance and versatility. Her unparalleled contribution ushered in a golden era of South Indian cinema, inspiring generations. Colleagues, contemporaries, and fans lined up at her home today to pay their final tributes.