Veteran actor Saroja Devi passes away at 87 due to age-related illness

Actor B. Saroja Devi, known for her iconic roles in regional cinema, passes away at 87 in Bengaluru

Veteran actor B Saroja Devi, known for her extensive work in regional cinema, passed away at the age of 87 on Monday (July 14, 2025). The actor, who breathed her last in Bengaluru, was reported to have been suffering from age-related illness.

Hailed as the first superstar of Kannada cinema, Saroja Devi debuted with the 1955 movie Mahakavi Kalidasa. She went on to star in classics such as School Master (1958), Kittur Chennamma (1961), Amarashilpi Jakanachari (1963), Mallammana Pavada (1968)and more.

Saroja Devi (1938-2025) | In pictures

Rajkumar and B. Saroja Devi in the film Srinivasa Kalyana

B. Saroja Devi in the Telugu and Kannada versions of 'Amara Shilpi Jakkanna".

Sivaji Ganesan and Saroja Devi in ‘Pudiya Paravai’. She had paired with Sivaji Ganesan in 22 films.

M.G. Ramachandran and Saroja Devi in ‘Anbe Vaa’. Making a mark with MGR in ‘Nadodi Mannan’, she acted with the late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister in 26 films.

Rajendra Kumar and Saroja Devi in ‘Sasural’. She signed up for the Hindi films with Dilip Kumar, Sunil Dutt and also with Shammi Kapoor.

Saroja Devi continued to be among the highest-paid actresses in Kannada and Telugu films. She was cast opposite N. T. Rama Rao in films like Bhagyachakram (1968), Uma Chandi Gowri Sankarula Katha (1968), Vijayam Manade (1970), Mayani Mamatha (1970), Shakuntala and Daana Veera Soora Karna (1979).

B. Saroja Devi was awarded Padma Sri in 1969 and Padma Bhushan in 1992. She was also awarded Kalaimamani by the Tamil Nadu Government.

After her marriage in 1967, Saroja Devi’s career in Tamil cinema gradually declined though she was active in Kannada movies. Despite starring opposite with late MGR in 22 films, her last film with him was ‘Arasa Kattalai’ in 1967.

In this 1957 photo, B. Saroja Devi is seen with S.V. Ranga Rao. She also dominated Telugu film industry acting with N.T. Rama Rao and Akkineni Nageswara Rao.

Saroja Devi was the only Indian actress to play lead heroine in 161 consecutive films in 29 years between 1955 and 1984

In this 1961, B. Saroja Devi is seen with M.R. Radha. in the film ‘Thai Sollai Thattathe.’ Her involvement in Tamil films also continued with superhits like ‘Palum Pazhamum’ (1961), ‘Vazhkai Vazhvatharke’ (1964), ‘Aalayamani’ (1962), ‘Periya Idathu Penn’ (1963), ‘Puthiya Paravai’ (1964), ‘Panakkara Kudumbam’ (1964), ‘Enga Veetu Pillai’ (1965) and ‘Anbe Vaa’ (1966).

In the 1960s, Saroja Devi became a fashion icon among the South Indian women, who mimicked her saris, blouses, jewellery, hairstyles and mannerisms. In particular, her saris and jewellery from the Tamil movies ‘Enga Veettu Pillai’ (1965) and ‘Anbe Vaa’ (1966) were popularised widely in magazines

Sivaji Ganesan and B. Saroja Devi in the Tamil film ‘Paalum Pazhamum’. Saroja Devi continued starring in Tamil movies opposite Sivaji Ganesan after her marriage: ‘En Thambi’ (1968), ‘Anbalippu’ (1969), ‘Anjal Petti 520’ (1969), ‘Arunodhayam’ (1971), ‘Thenum Paalum’ (1971), ‘Paarambariyam’ (1993) and ‘Once More’ (1997).

In her long career, Saroja Devi chiefly opted for romantic films only in the 1960s and later sentimental and socially relevant films right from the late 1960s to the 1980s.

Twice in 1998 and 2005, Saroja Devi chaired film juries — the 45th National Film Awards and the 53rd National Film Awards jury. She served as the vice-president of Kannada Chalanchitra Sangha, and as a member of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams’s local advisory committee.
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Legendary actor M.G. Ramachandran cast her in Nadodi Mannan, following which she went on to become a popular name in the Tamil film industry. Her well-known film with the legendary Sivaji Ganesan includes Bhaaga Pirivinai (1959). She starred with Sivaji Ganesan in 22 movies.

With MGR, Saroja Devi starred in more than 20 movies. Palum Pazhamum, Vazhkai Vazhvatharke (1964), Aalayamani (1962), Periya Idathu Penn (1963), Puthiya Paravai (1964), Panakkara Kudumbam (1964), Enga Veetu Pillai (1965) and Anbe Vaa (1966) are her other noteable works in Tamil cinema.

Carving a popular career in Telugu cinema, she worked with stalwart NT Rama Rao in Seetarama Kalyanam (1961), Jagadeka Veeruni Katha (1961) and Daagudu Moothalu (1964). She was conferred with the Padma Shri in 1969 and Padma Bhushan in 1992. In 2008, she was given the 2008 Lifetime Achivement Award by the Government of India.

Saroja Devi shared screen space with Hindi stars such as Dilip Kumar (Paigham, 1959), Rajendra Kumar (Sasural, 1961) and Sunil Dutt (Beti Bete, 1964).

Detailed reports and obits to follow