Experienced actor b. Saroj Devi died on 14 July 2025 in Bengaluru. He acted in Tamil, Kannada, Telugu and Hindi films and acted in more than 200 films in seven decades. Popularly known Acting saraswatiShe is one of the most successful actresses in the history of Indian cinema.
Saroj Devi was also known as the first female superstar of Kannada cinema. He made his mark in Tamil Film Dome in the film Nadodi Mannan Late with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MG Ramachandran.
Saroja Devi made her debut in films in Kannada Mahakavi Kalidas In 1955. The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada. Kannada cinema included his early successes Chintmani (1957), School -master (1958) and Jagjayothi Basaveshwar (1959). Her performance as a patriotic anti -British queen in Kannada Kitturu queen chennamma (1961) was widely acclaimed. In 1964, he and Kalyan Kumar acted in the first full Kannada Rang film Amarshilpi JakanachI.
After his remarkable performance Nadodi Mannan Then he was signed up for Hindi film Pagham In 1959, in which he acted with Dilip Kumar. She went to work in other prominent Hindi actors including Rajendra Kumar Father -in -law (1961), Sunil Dutt Betty bet (1964) and Shammi Kapoor in Pyaar kiya se darna (1963).
She is one of the very few actresses who acted in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu and Hindi in the 1950s.
Saroj Devi also succeeded in Telugu films, starring NT Ram Rao Seitrama kalyanam (1961), Jagdika Veeruni Katha (1961) and Dagudu Mothalu (1964). Amara Shilpi Jakkan (1964). His film Pelli Kanuka ,
Rajkumar and B. Saroja Devi film Srinivas Kalyan
B. ‘Amara Shilpi Jakkan’ in Saroj Devi Telugu and Kannada versions.
Photo: Hindu Archives
Shivaji Ganasan and Saroj Devi in ‘Pudia Parvai’. He associated with Shivaji Ganesan in 22 films.
Photo: Hindu Archives
MG Ramachandran and Saroja Devi in ‘Ambe via’. In ‘Nadodi Mannan’, making a mark with MGR, he acted with the late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister in 26 films.
Rajendra Kumar and Saroja Devi in ‘Sasural’. He signed up for Hindi films with Dilip Kumar, Sunil Dutt and also with Shammi Kapoor.
Photo: Hindu Archives
Saroj Devi remained one of the most paid actresses in Kannada and Telugu films. He was cast with NT Ram Rao in films like Bhagichakrakram (1968), Uma Chandi Gowri Shankarula Katha (1968), Vijayam Manade (1970), Mayani Mamath (1970), Shakantala and Dana Veera Sora Karna (1979).
Photo: Hindu
B. Saroj Devi was awarded the Padma Shri in 1969 and the Padma Bhushan in 1992. He was also awarded Kalammani by the Government of Tamil Nadu.
Photo: Hindu Archives
After her marriage in 1967, Saroj Devi’s career in Tamil cinema gradually declined, although she was active in Kannada films. Despite acting against the late MGR in 22 films, his last film was with him in 1967.
Photo: Hindu Archives
In this picture of 1957, B. Saroj Devi is seen with SV Ranga Rao. She also dominated the Telugu film industry acting with NT Ram Rao and Akineni Naj Ess Paddy Rao.
Photo: Scan scanned in Chennai RK Sridhara
Saroj Devi was the only Indian actress to play the lead heroine in 161 consecutive films in 29 years between 1955 and 1984.
Photo: Hindu Archives
In 1961, B. Saroj Devi is seen with Shri Radha. In the film, ‘Thai Solai Thache’. His participation in Tamil films is also ‘Palam Pazamam’ (1961), ‘Wazhakai Wazhawatharke’ (1964), ‘Alaiyayani’ (1962), ‘Peria Idthu Pen’ (1963), ‘Putia Parvai’ (1964), ‘1964) (1964) (1964), Va’ (1966).
Photo: Hindu Archives
In the 1960s, Saroj Devi became a fashion icon among the South Indian women, who mimicked her saris, blouses, jewelery, hairstyles and methods. In particular, Ang Vetu Pillai of Tamil films (1965) and ‘Anbe Via’ (1966) were widely popular in their sarees and jewelery magazines.
Photo: Film News
Shivaji Ganesan and B. in the Tamil film ‘Paulum Pazamam’. Saroj Devi. Saroj Devi continued to act in Tamil films in front of Shivaji Ganesan after her marriage: ‘N Thambi’ (1968), ‘Anabalipu’ (1969), ‘Anjal Petty 520’ (1969), ‘Arunodayam’ (1971), ‘Tabam Palam’ (1971) (1993),
Photo: Hindu Archives
In her long career, Saroja Devi mainly opted for romantic films in only the 1960s and later emotional and socially relevant from the late 1960s to the late 1980s.
Photo: Hindu
Twice in 1998 and 2005, Saroja Devi presided over the film Juris – 45th National Film Award and 53rd National Film Award. He served as the vice -president of the Kannada Chalnachitra Sangh, and as a member of the local advisory committee of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam.
Published – July 14, 2025 12:23 PM IST
