Bangalore Sroja Devi, who acted in around 200 films, including Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, and Hindi, passed away at 87 due to age-related illness. She took her last breath at her Bengaluru home on July 14, 2025. With her death, the whole Indian industry bid goodbye to a woman who redefined talent, beauty, and grace on screen.
A Journey Merging Passion With Profession
The veteran actress B. Saroja Devi began her journey as an actress when she was only 17 with the 1995 Kannada film Mahakai Kalidasa. She gained nationwide fame with her role in the 1958 Tamil classic Nadodi Mannan, opposite M.G. Ramachandran. She not only limited herself to Kannada films but became a household name in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi cinema as well.
A Star with Around 200 Films
- Saroja Devi constructed a legendary career with a body of work covering nearly 200 films in a variety of languages. She acted in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi films and became one of the few Indian actresses to attain pan-Indian stardom during the golden age of cinema. Her proficiency in speaking several languages assisted her in reaching out to cosmopolitan audiences from a variety of regions.
She debuted in Kannada cinema but soon gained popularity in Tamil and Telugu films. She played a mix of depth and screen presence in her roles, becoming one of the favourites for playing romantic as well as dramatic characters. In Bollywood, she created a niche for herself, playing fleshed-out characters alongside top male heroes of the period.
The Title of “Abinaya Saraswathi”
Her fans and critics lovingly called her “Abhinaya Saraswathi,” meaning the Goddess of Acting, because of her pure acting without exaggeration. She successfully delivered her emotions with elegance and subtlety. Along with being a talented actress, she was also a skilled dancer. Furthermore, in 1969, she was conferred with Padma Shri, and in 1992, with Padma Bhushan. In the year 2008, she was given the 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award by the government of India. Her acting and dancing skills on screen made movies more graceful and realistic for audiences.
A Cultural Ambassador for Indian Cinema
Saroja Devi was not only a movie star. She embodied Indian culture wherever she went. She danced classical dances and participated in international film festivals, talking about the beauty of Indian storytelling.
She was also a member of various national film award juries and dictated the course of Indian cinema from behind the scenes.
End Note
Over the years, Indian cinema has lost many of its talented stars, and B. Saroja Devi is no exception. Her contribution to Indian cinema remains unmatched. The movies of veteran actresses broke language barriers, inspired generations, and defined an era. The passing of such a star marks the end of a golden chapter in Indian film history. As the actress’s family prepares for her final rites in Bengaluru, fans across India are lighting candles and remembering the queen. The curtains may have fallen, but her performance will continue to shine in the hearts of millions.
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