Saroja Devi is prominently known for her captivating performances in films like Kittur Chennamma, Babruvahana, and Annathangi.
Published Jul 14, 2025 | 11:47 AM ⚊ Updated Jul 14, 2025 | 11:47 AM
Saroja Devi. (X)
Veteran Kannada actor Saroja Devi (87) passed away on Monday, 14 July, in Bengaluru. The actor had been suffering from age related issues.
The south Indian actor had made her mark in all the four languages— Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam— with over 200 movies.
She is prominently known for her captivating performances in films like Kittur Chennamma, Babruvahana, and Annathangi.
According to the Deccan Herald report, she was introduced to Tamil cinema in 1957 by BR Panthulu.
Following which, Saroja Devi ruled the Tamil cinema world by pairing with legendary MG Ramachandran, Sivaji Ganesan, and Gemini Ganesan. MGR saw Saroja Devi as his lucky mascot other than J Jayalalithaa and paired with her in 26 films.
She was also part of Amarashilpi Jakanachari (1964), the first colour film in Kannada.
Saroja Devi also received numerous honours, including the Padma Shri in 1969 and the Padma Bhushan in 1992. She was also awarded an honorary doctorate by Bangalore University and the Kalaimamani award by the Tamil Nadu government.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressing his condolences said she was one of the most talented artists Karnataka has ever seen. “A multilingual star, she was an exceptional performer, and her death is a great loss to the world of art and cinema. I pray for her soul to rest in peace and for strength to her family and fans to bear this loss,” he added.
He wrote on X: “The news of the passing of senior Kannada actress B. Saroja Devi has caused deep sorrow. She had acted in approximately 200 films across Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi cinema, earning fame as the goddess of acting. The moment Saroja Devi is mentioned, her captivating performances in films like Kittur Chennamma, Babruvahana, and Annathangi come to mind. Her departure, having entertained audiences for decades through refined films, is a significant loss to Indian cinema. I pray that Saroja Devi’s soul finds peace. My condolences to her grieving family and fans.”
ಕನ್ನಡದ ಹಿರಿಯ ನಟಿ ಬಿ.ಸರೋಜಾದೇವಿ ಅವರ ನಿಧನವಾರ್ತೆ ನೋವುಂಟುಮಾಡಿದೆ. ಕನ್ನಡ ಚಿತ್ರರಂಗವು ಸೇರಿದಂತೆ ತಮಿಳು, ತೆಲುಗು ಮತ್ತು ಹಿಂದಿಯ ಸುಮಾರು 200 ಚಿತ್ರಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ನಟಿಸಿ, ಅಭಿನಯ ಸರಸ್ವತಿ ಎಂದೇ ಖ್ಯಾತರಾಗಿದ್ದರು.
ಸರೋಜಾದೇವಿ ಎಂದಾಕ್ಷಣ ಕಿತ್ತೂರು ಚೆನ್ನಮ್ಮ, ಬಬ್ರುವಾಹನ, ಅಣ್ಣತಂಗಿ ಮುಂತಾದ ಚಿತ್ರಗಳಲ್ಲಿನ ಅವರ ಮನೋಜ್ಞ ಅಭಿನಯ… pic.twitter.com/ZOVdrXGqlp
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) July 14, 2025
Former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai also wrote on X: “I am deeply saddened to hear the news of the passing of veteran actress B. Saroja Devi from the Kannada film industry. Known as the “Goddess of Acting,” she left an indelible mark not only in Kannada cinema but also in Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil film industries over nearly seven decades, earning recognition as one of the finest actresses in Indian cinema. Having acted in numerous mythological and historical films, she became a household name among Kannadigas. Her portrayal of Kittur Chennamma remains etched in everyone’s memory.
“Her achievements were honoured with the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awards. With B. Saroja Devi’s passing, the Kannada film industry feels impoverished. I pray that God grants strength to her fans and family to bear the pain of her loss, and may her departed soul find eternal peace,” he added.
ಕನ್ನಡ ಚಿತ್ರರಂಗದ ಹಿರಿಯ ನಟಿ ಬಿ. ಸರೋಜಾದೇವಿ ಅವರ ನಿಧನದ ಸುದ್ದಿ ಕೇಳಿ ಅತ್ಯಂತ ದುಖವಾಗಿದೆ. “ಅಭಿನಯ ಸರಸ್ವತಿ” ಎಂದೇ ಖ್ಯಾತರಾಗಿ ಸುಮಾರು ಏಳು ದಶಕಗಳ ಕಾಲ ಕನ್ನಡ ಚಿತ್ರರಂಗವಷ್ಟೇ ಅಲ್ಲದೇ ಹಿಂದಿ, ತೆಲುಗು, ತಮಿಳು ಚಿತ್ರರಂಗದಲ್ಲಿಯೂ ತಮ್ಮದೇ ಆದ ಛಾಪು ಮೂಡಿಸಿ ಭಾರತೀಯ ಚಿತ್ರ ರಂಗದ ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠ ನಟಿಯರ ಸಾಲಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಗುರುತಿಸಿಕೊಂಡಿದ್ದರು.… pic.twitter.com/f30Zy83fUQ
— Basavaraj S Bommai (@BSBommai) July 14, 2025
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Nolan Patrick Pinto)
