Veteran actress B Saroja Devi passes away, CM Siddaramaiah, DK Shivakumar, others pay tribute

BENGALURU: Veteran actress B Saroja Devi, who has acted in about 200 films over seven decades, has passed away at the age of 87. Known for her work in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu and Hindi films, Saroja Devi’s demise has left the industry in shock.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah paid tribute to the late actress in his X post. “The news of the passing of senior Kannada actress B. Sarojadevi 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 one mentions Sarojadevi, her captivating performances in films like Kittur Chennamma, Babruvahana, and Annathangi come to mind”, he wrote on X.

Siddaramaiah added, “Her departure, having entertained audiences for decades through refined films, is a significant loss to Indian cinema. I pray that Sarojadevi’s soul finds peace. My condolences to her grieving family and fans”, he wrote on X.

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

Opposition leader in the Assembly, R Ashoka, also remembered the contribution of Saroja Devi to Indian cinema, saying, “I am deeply saddened to hear the news of the passing of Mrs B Saroja Devi, a veteran actress of the Kannada film industry, famously known as the ‘Goddess of Acting.’ Having acted as the lead actress in over 160 films across Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi cinema, her departure is an irreparable loss not only to Kannada but to the entire Indian film industry. I pray that the Almighty grants eternal peace to her soul and gives strength to her family members and fans to bear the pain of this loss. Om Shanti”.

ಕನ್ನಡ ಚಿತ್ರರಂಗದ ಹಿರಿಯ ನಟಿ, ‘ಅಭಿನಯ ಸರಸ್ವತಿ’ ಎಂದೇ ಹೆಸರುವಾಸಿಯಾಗಿದ್ದ ಶ್ರೀಮತಿ ಬಿ.ಸರೋಜಾದೇವಿ ಅವರ ನಿಧನದ ಸುದ್ದಿ ತಿಳಿದು ದುಃಖವಾಯಿತು.

ಕನ್ನಡ, ತಮಿಳು, ತೆಲುಗು ಮತ್ತು ಹಿಂದಿ ಚಿತ್ರರಂಗಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಸುಮಾರು 160ಕ್ಕೂ ಚಿತ್ರಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ನಾಯಕ ನಟಿಯಾಗಿ ಅಭಿನಯಿಸಿದ್ದ ಅವರ ಅಗಲಿಕೆಯಿಂದ, ಕನ್ನಡ ಮಾತ್ರವಲ್ಲದೆ ಇಡೀ ಭಾರತೀಯ ಚಿತ್ರರಂಗಕ್ಕೆ… pic.twitter.com/AtBSv4wJSL

— R. Ashoka (@RAshokaBJP) July 14, 2025

Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar expressed grief over the passing away of legendary actor. “Farewell with love to the Goddess of Acting.. The news of the passing of B. Sarojadevi, the veteran actress renowned as the Goddess of Acting, has brought sorrow. She acted in five languages, including Kannada, served the film industry for six decades, and earned widespread acclaim. May God grant eternal peace to her departed soul. May the Lord give strength to her countless fans and family members to bear this pain. Om Shanti”. Shivakumar wrote.

ಅಭಿನಯ ಸರಸ್ವತಿಗೆ ಪ್ರೀತಿಯ ವಿದಾಯ..

ಕನ್ನಡದ ಹಿರಿಯ ನಟಿ, ಅಭಿನಯ ಸರಸ್ವತಿ ಎಂದೇ ಖ್ಯಾತರಾಗಿದ್ದ ಬಿ. ಸರೋಜಾ ದೇವಿ ಅವರ ನಿಧನದ ಸುದ್ದಿ ನೋವು ತಂದಿದೆ‌. ಕನ್ನಡ ಸೇರಿದಂತೆ ಪಂಚ ‌ಭಾಷೆಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ನಟಿಸಿ, 6 ದಶಕಗಳ ಕಾಲ ಚಿತ್ರರಂಗಕ್ಕೆ ಸೇವೆ ಸಲ್ಲಿಸಿ, ಸೈ ಎನಿಸಿಕೊಂಡಿದ್ದರು‌.

ಅಗಲಿದ ಅವರ ಆತ್ಮಕ್ಕೆ ದೇವರು ಚಿರಶಾಂತಿಯನ್ನು ನೀಡಲಿ. ಅಪಾರ… pic.twitter.com/ea7LP77N2q

— DK Shivakumar (@DKShivakumar) July 14, 2025

Saroja Devi got her big break with her Kannada film ‘Mahakavi Kalidasa’ (1955). She made her Telugu film debut with ‘Pandurang Mahathyam’ (1957) and acted in several successful films until the late 1970s. The Tamil film ‘Nadodi Mannan’ (1958) established her as one of the top actresses in Tamil cinema.

After her marriage in 1967, she remained the second most sought-after actress in Tamil films until 1974, while she continued to be a top actress in Telugu and Kannada cinema from 1958 to 1980. She also acted in Hindi films, starting with Paigham (1959) until the mid-1960s. She acted in 161 consecutive films as the female lead between 1955 and 1984.

Sarojadevi was awarded the Padma Shri in 1969 and the Padma Bhushan by the Government of India in 1992. She also received an honorary doctorate from Bangalore University and the Kalaimamani Award of Tamil Nadu. She received the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008. (ANI)