B Saroja Devi dies at 87: PM Modi calls her pillar of Indian cinema
advertisementKnown as the first female superstar of Kannada cinema, she made her mark in the industry with her debut in 1955 in 'Mahakavi Kalidasa'. Her career spanned several decades, during which she became a beloved figure in the film industry.
Saroja Devi's career was marked by notable performances in films across multiple languages, including Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi. Her prominent roles included films such as 'Thirudathe' and 'Kittooru Rani Chennamma', both released in 1961. She also starred in 'Periya Idathu Penn' in 1963 and 'Beti Bete' in 1964, showcasing her versatile talent. Her ability to adapt to various roles and genres made her a standout performer in the industry.Over her expansive career, Saroja Devi became a household name and a cultural icon, celebrated for her ability to convey complex emotions across a variety of roles. Her work in cinema not only entertained but also reflected the cultural ethos of her time. Her performances were often praised for their depth and authenticity, resonating with audiences across different regions.Many mourned Saroja Devi's death and paid tribute to her remarkable career. As Modi noted, "Her works, spanning different languages and covering diverse themes highlighted her versatile nature." Her legacy is one that will continue to inspire future generations in the cinematic world.PM Modi concluded his tribute saying, "My condolences to her family and admirers. Om Shanti." Her memory will live on through her films and the countless lives she touched throughout her career.- Ends
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Time of India
39 minutes ago
- Time of India
Remembering Saroja Devi: Legendary Actress Who Captivated Indian Cinema
Saroja Devi in the 1965 Tamil film Kalangarai Vilakkam Vamanan Reflecting in later times on his directorial debut 'Kalyana Parisu' (1959), in which Saroja Devi played the younger sister who sacrifices her love for her elder sibling, director Sridhar would remark that one of the greatest challenges in remaking the film was finding a young actress who could match that performance. What a tribute to Saroja Devi — that even in the early years of her long career, she delivered a portrayal so memorable that an auteur such as Sridhar would recall it with such admiration! You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai This underlines the fact that Saroja Devi had acting talent, which, added to an expressive and photogenic face and good temperament to match, made for an eventful career as a lead actor in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi films. No wonder the Kannadigas, of whom she was one, hailed her 'Abhinaya Saraswathi', the goddess of acting. The Tamils, in keeping with their large-hearted appreciation of artistes from other states, called her 'Kannadathu Paingili', the lovely parrot from the Kannada region, perhaps referring to her child-like articulation of Tamil dialogues. Saroja Devi revealed in an interview that Sivaji Ganesan would comment adversely on her Tamil accent, though the duo went on to deliver hits together. Songs such as 'Thangathile Oru Kurai Irunthalum' from 'Bagappirivinai' (1959) and 'Aalayamaniyin osaiyai' from 'Paalum Pazhamum' (1961) , picturised on Saroja Devi and Sivaji to excellent effect, however, represent the pinnacle of the best Tamil diction and the benchmark of the best of Tamil film song. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Little-Known RMD Strategy Approved by the IRS Undo Saroja Devi's Chennai visits unleashed a series of providential incidents which finally found her playing the heroine in MGR's ambitiously mounted make-or-break film 'Nadodi Mannan' (1958). MGR had initially cast Bhanumathi as the heroine, but creative differences led to her walking out mid-shoot. To salvage the film, MGR phased out her character and introduced Saroja Devi in the second half, a spectacular debut for a newcomer. The film became a milestone, establishing MGR as not just a star but also a successful producer-director. While Bhanumathi had questioned his directorial skills, Saroja Devi praised him. In later years, especially after MGR's passing, she would describe him as 'En anbu deivam' (My loving god). The MGR-Saroja Devi pairing seemed to viewers an ideal one, though there was a 20-year age gap between the two. Eastman colour films such as 'Padagotti' (1964), 'Enga Veettu Pillai' (1965) and 'Anbe Vaa' (1966), despite all their formula frills, clicked in many ways. In the first half of the 1960s, when MGR and Saroja Devi were gallivanting to scores of hit songs, the latter was as busy with MGR's film world rival, Sivaji Ganesan, with whom she paired in 15 films up to the early 1970s. Saroja Devi revealed that it was possible only because MGR adjusted his dates to enable her to make the most of all the other opportunities she got. With Sivaji, Saroja Devi matched the great thespian's acting skills with her own. Films such as 'Aalayamani', which presents a love triangle darkly told, and 'Pudhiya Paravai', in which Saroja Devi is a detective who feigns love only to expose the hero's murderous past, are memorable. When the hero Gopal asks her finally whether all the love she showed him was only playacting, she says 'Aamaam Gopal'; but goes on to add that while her intention at first was to deceive him, she had fallen in love with him. This climactic dialogue was spoofed by comedians Vivek and Baskar in 'Guru En Aalu' in 2009. But their spoofing only adds to the original's appeal! Saroja Devi's life and career had been guided by her astute mother Rudramma, with friendly patrons such as MGR also steering her course. She married Sri Harsha in 1967, and he encouraged her to continue acting. Around this time, directors such as K Balachander ('Thaamarai Nenjam', 1968) and K S Gopalakrishnan ('Panama Pasama', 1968) cast her opposite Gemini Ganesan , with whom she had first worked in 1959. She shared an easy rapport with Gemini, both on and off screen, and he stood by her in moments of grief, rushing to console her when her husband died in 1986. As one of the few stars who played a major part in the MGR era and was still alive, she was invited to events that gave fans the opportunity to revisit the past. She was also part of the circuit of the actresses of yesteryear who met up to share memories. With her passing at the age of 87, many of those who hearken to the remembrances of things past are bound to think that another glowing star of a glamorous past has disappeared from ever. Life and times The 1950s marked a shift in Indian cinema, with industries moving beyond theatre to discover fresh faces. Among them was 17-year-old B Saroja Devi (born Jan 7, 1938, the third daughter of Bhairappa, a police officer, and Rudramma) Her first release was 'Mahakavi Kalidasa' (1955) opposite Kannada-Tamil star Honnappa Bhagavatar Within a few years of her debut, Saroja Devi starred opposite MGR and Sivaji Ganesan in Tamil; Dilip Kumar, Sunil Dutt and Shammi Kapoor in Hindi; and N T Rama Rao in Telugu, in addition to her Kannada films Between 1957 and 1967, she starred in 26 films with MGR, 22 with Sivaji Ganesan and 17 with Gemini Ganesan By the late 1970s, she acted as the female lead in more than 150 films across four languages After the passing of her husband in 1986, Saroja Devi reduced her film appearances. The death of her adopted daughter, Bhuvaneshwari, was another personal blow. Her cameo in Puneeth Rajkumar's 2019 film 'Natasaarvabhowma' was her last screen appearance Her awards: Padma Shri (1969), Padma Bhushan (1992) (The writer is a journalist and author)
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Letters to The Editor — July 15, 2025
Air crash report The preliminary report arising from the ongoing investigation into the Air India crash at Ahmedabad has pointed to the cutoff of the fuel control switches during takeoff. However, this clarity has, paradoxically, sparked further debate among aviation experts and pilots. At this stage of the probe, varied expert opinions only confuse the issue. The focus must sharpen on regulatory oversight and the rigorous enforcement of proper checks particularly for critical components such as fuel switches. The ambivalent approach to advisories on such critical components — treating them as 'optional' or 'mandatory' — is fraught with danger for flight safety. The aviation sector and the government must act swiftly to ensure that all safety standards are complied with. V. Nagarajan, Chennai At SW19 Bravo, Jannik Sinner. Sinner's Wimbledon triumph over Carlos Alcaraz was more than a first title. It was a statement. Calm under pressure and clinical in execution, he avenged his Roland Garros loss and ended Alcaraz's Wimbledon streak with quiet authority. In a rivalry that is fast defining a new golden era in men's tennis, Sinner's grass-court brilliance shows he is not just chasing history. He is rewriting it. The All England Club has crowned its first Italian king. And deservedly so. K. Chidanand Kumar, Bengaluru Novak Djokovic needs to introspect seriously about playing competitive international tennis. When he lost in the French Open last month, he said that it may be his last. Now, after the Wimbledon final, it is clear that the last of the three greats must be fading away. That he has won more Slams than Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal is the only consolation. V. Lakshmanan, Tirupur, Tamil Nadu Saroja Devi In the passing of Saroja Devi, the tinsel world has lost a charismatic heroine most beautiful. She shot into prominence after director Sridhar's Kalyana Parisu. Her career catapulted to an unbelievable high when she starred with MGR in a number of films. Nadodi Mannan and Anbe Vaa were outstanding. With Sivaji Ganesan, Puthiya Paravai was a great box office hit. The immortal songs P. Susheela sang for her in her dulcet voice in almost all films are what helped her gain cult status. Such heroines are a rarity today. A.V. Narayanan, Chennai
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Governor R.N. Ravi, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, and other leaders condole Saroja Devi's death
Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin condoled the death of actor Saroja Devi, who passed away in Bengaluru on Monday. In a social media post, the Raj Bhavan quoted the Governor as saying: 'Deeply saddened by the demise of legendary actress Saroja Devi, whose luminous presence and expressive artistry transcended language and time, leaving an indelible mark on Indian cinema. Her timeless contributions shaped a golden era of film and continue to resonate across generations. My heartfelt condolences to her family and countless admirers. Om Shanti!' In his condolence message, Mr. Stalin recalled she had acted in about 200 films and her contributions to Indian cinema were honoured with the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and the Government of India's Lifetime Achievement Award, Tamil Nadu government's Kalaimamani award, among others. Her death was an irreparable loss, Mr. Stalin said. AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami recalled Saroja Devi's association with party founder M.G. Ramachandran in the Tamil film industry. ADMK Workers' Rights Retrieval Committee coordinator O. Panneerselvam said the actor held former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in high esteem. Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L. Murugan, BJP Tamil Nadu president Nainar Nagendran, and Tamil Maanila Congress (Moopanar) president G.K. Vasan also extended their condolences.
