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News18
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
'Stay Where You Are...': What Jayalalithaa Said To Saroja Devi
1/10 Veteran actress Saroja Devi passed away on Monday, July 14, at the age of 87 while undergoing treatment at Manipal Hospital in Bengaluru due to age-related illness. Her demise marks the end of an era in Indian cinema. (News18 Tamil) Saroja Devi acted in over 200 films across Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi languages. She rose to fame early in her career, winning a National Award for her debut film. Her journey began in Tamil cinema with the 1956 film Thirumanaam. (News18 Tamil) 7/10 She would act with Sivaji Ganesan in the morning and M.G. Ramachandran in the evening. In total, she starred in 26 films with Ramachandran and 22 films with Sivaji, a rare feat in Indian cinema. (News18 Tamil)
New Indian Express
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Saroja Devi: Doe-eyed beauty who held audience in thrall
BENGALURU: Legendary actor B Saroja Devi, the doe-eyed 'Abhinaya Saraswati' who held the southern film industries in thrall, passed away at her residence in Bengaluru early on Monday due to age-related health issues. She was 87. Born on January 7, 1938, in Bengaluru, Saroja Devi was encouraged by her parents, especially by her father, a police officer, to learn dance, which eventually opened the doors to the silver screen, and she made her debut in national award-winning Kannada film Mahakavi Kalidasa in 1955. In a career spanning seven decades and over 200 films, she ruled hearts across languages —Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, and Hindi. While being active in multiple languages was quite normal in those days, the hallmark of her career was her stellar success in each of these industries. She had an enviable number of superhits with repeated pairings opposite the legends of various industries, including MG Ramachandran, Sivaji Ganesan, and Gemini Ganesan in Tamil, Dr Rajkumar in Kannada, and N T Rama Rao in Telugu. But it was in Tamil cinema that she shone the brightest, particularly alongside M G Ramachandran (MGR), the iconic superstar, former CM and founder of the AIADMK, who considered her his 'lucky mascot'. They acted in 48 films together and their very first film, Nadodi Mannan (1958), catapulted the 'Kannadathu Paingili' (Kannada's parrot) to superstardom overnight. Some of their other films like Anbe Vaa (1966) and Arasa Kattalai (1967) have been celebrated as cult classics. Her well-known films with legendary Sivaji Ganesan included Bhaaga Pirivinai (1959), Palum Pazhamum (1961), and Aalayamani (1962). She had starred with Sivaji Ganesan in 22 movies. Her notable works in other languages included Amarashilpi Jakanachari, Bhagyavantharu, Babruvahana, and Katha Sangama in Kannada.
New Indian Express
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Doe-eyed beauty who held audience in thrall
CHENNAI: Legendary actor B Saroja Devi, the doe-eyed 'Abhinaya Saraswati' who held the southern film industries in thrall, passed away at her residence in Bengaluru early on Monday due to age-related health issues. She was 87. Born on January 7, 1938, in Bengaluru, Saroja Devi was encouraged by her parents, especially by her father, a police officer, to learn dance, which eventually opened the doors to the silver screen, and she made her debut in national award-winning Kannada film Mahakavi Kalidasa in 1955. In a career spanning seven decades and over 200 films, she ruled hearts across languages —Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, and Hindi. While being active in multiple languages was quite normal in those days, the hallmark of her career was her stellar success in each of these industries. She had an enviable number of superhits with repeated pairings opposite the legends of various industries, including MG Ramachandran, Sivaji Ganesan, and Gemini Ganesan in Tamil, Dr Rajkumar in Kannada, and N T Rama Rao in Telugu. But it was in Tamil cinema that she shone the brightest, particularly alongside M G Ramachandran (MGR), the iconic superstar, former CM and founder of the AIADMK, who considered her his 'lucky mascot'. They acted in 26 films together and their very first film, Nadodi Mannan (1958), catapulted the 'Kannadathu Paingli' (Kannada's parrot) to superstardom overnight. Some of their other films like Anbe Vaa (1966) and Arasa Kattalai (1967) have been celebrated as cult classics. Her well-known films with legendary Sivaji Ganesan included Bhaaga Pirivinai (1959), Palum Pazhamum (1961), and Aalayamani (1962). She had starred with Sivaji Ganesan in 22 movies. Her notable works in other languages included Amarashilpi Jakanachari, Bhagyavantharu, Babruvahana, and Katha Sangama in Kannada.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
How B. Saroja Devi became Kannada cinema's female superstar
B Saroja Devi, who passed away at 87 on Monday (July 14, 2025), is a great example of a self-made star. Debuting in Kannada with Mahakavi Kalidasa (1955), she broke the glass ceiling to become a pan-India phenomenon and came to be hailed as the first female superstar of Kannada cinema. In an industry dominated by male stars, Saroja Devi carved a niche for herself. Be it with Dr Rajkumar in Kannada, MG Ramachandran and Sivaji Ganesan in Tamil, or N.T. Rama Rao in Telugu, Saroja Devi maintained a strong screen presence opposite some of the biggest heroes of Indian cinema. National Award-winning actor Tara calls her a guiding light in her career. 'She would always tell me to be independent as a woman. She would encourage several actors like me to fight for our rights in the industry,' remembers Tara, a point reiterated by several women actors of the industry. 'She built a distinct legacy of her own which remains eternal,' opines author and film writer Muralidhara Khajane. Saroja Devi inspired her contemporaries and paved the way for her successors. 'She should get the credit for spreading the essence of Kannada cinema across countries,' says Mr. Khajane. Her illustrious career was fuelled by dedication, notes author and journalist Sreedhara Murthy. Her debut, Mahakavi Kalidasa, is about the legends of the poet Kalidasa. There are several slokas in the movie. Saroja Devi has recited them so convincingly. To do that in your first film requires great hard work.' ALSO READ:Saroja Devi, a powerhouse in Telugu cinema who shone in both period and social dramas Saroja Devi entered the film industry with no formal training in acting. Yet, she was a gifted artiste. A brilliant Bharatanatyam dancer and a stage singer, Saroja Devi could add life to songs on the big screen. 'She is so graceful in the song 'Nillu Nee Neelaveni' in Amarashilpi Jakanachari (1964),' observes Murthy. The B S Ranga directorial, starring Kalyankumar, was Kannada's first colour feature, and Saroja Devi delivered a standout performance as Manjari. 'In Rathnagiri Rahasya, she makes a short appearance in 'Yavvanave Ee Yavvanave', and yet, her presence lingers on throughout the movie,' recollects Murthy. Following her prime period, she transformed into a dependable character actor. Bhagyavantharu, in which she played the supportive wife to Dr Rajkumar's character, is her most memorable work in the second stage of her career. 'She would star in mythological and historical films in Telugu starring N T Rama Rao and do social dramas with MGR and Sivaji Ganesan in Tamil. She had a royal face to suit the period drama genre, and her expressive acting helped her convincingly portray relatable characters,' notes film historian K Puttaswamy. Saroja Devi would dub her lines in all languages. Actor-politician Sumalatha Ambareesh says she will miss the affectionate attitude of Saroja Devi. 'She was a huge star, but she never carried the air of being popular. She was inspirational for her genuine personality,' says Sumalatha.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Saroja Devi: The Kannadathu Payinkili and Abinaya Saraswathi of Tamil cinema
The late veteran actor B. Saroja Devi (87), celebrated as Kannadathu Payinkili and Abinaya Saraswathy in the Tamil film world, starred alongside the great actors of yesteryears — particularly the two top heroes, M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) and Sivaji Ganesan — and dominated the field for decades. She was cast in MGR's blockbuster Nadodi Mannan in 1958 after being introduced to him by director K. Subramaniam, who had earlier directed the film Kalidas in Kannada. She made her debut humming the song 'Maani thedi machan vara poran' in Nadodi Mannan. 'She had a very photogenic face and was capable of expressive performances. She was one of the magical heroines of Tamil cinema,' said film historian Vamanan. He said through her performances, she became the quintessential Tamil heroine, embodying the lines 'man valaratha perumai ellam manthil valarthavalam' from a song in the film Paaga Pirivinai. Her pairing with Sivaji Ganesan began with the film Paaga Pirivinai in 1959, directed by Bhim Singh, who went on to direct the well-known 'Pa' series of films. Saroja Devi was also the heroine in Paalum Pazhamum and Paarthal Pasi Theerum. 'She acted with my father in over 20 films, and all her films with my father and MGR were hits. Each of her films was an achievement. She was probably the first (lady) superstar of Tamil cinema and maintained that stature till her last days,' said actor Prabhu, fondly recalling the days she spent with his family. 'She would pinch my cheeks. We remained close and even spent a New Year in Bangalore with her. I will miss her, but her charming and beautiful face, along with her films, will continue to haunt me,' Mr. Prabhu said. 'She acted and spoke naturally, as if she were in real life, and she never opted for dubbing. You should watch the song 'Paalum Pazhamum Kaikalil Enthi' in the film Paalum Pazhamum to understand her talent. She acted without any makeup to reinforce the character of a person afflicted with tuberculosis. She looked like a pet chick cradled in the palm of its owner when appearing alongside Sivaji Ganesan,' said film editor B. Lenin, son of Bhim Singh. She was also fondly referred to as Abinaya Saraswathi, in recognition of her expressive body language and facial expressions. 'Cinema is a fantasy, and the role of the heroine is to attract the male gaze. Saroja Devi achieved this in a sensible and graceful manner. The song 'Love Birds Love Birds' in Anbe Vaa is a testament to that sensitivity,' said actor and cinematographer Ilavarasu. He described her expressive eyes, well-defined nose, romantic body language, and signature side pose with a 180-degree eye rotation—all of which could tell a thousand stories. 'There's a reason why she was called Abinaya Saraswathi. There were no brushes to embellish the eyes at that time. She just used pencils. The way she modulated her eyebrows was another remarkable talent,' Ilavarasu said. Her dialogues addressing Sivaji Ganesan as 'Gopal' and her nuanced expressions in the film Puthiya Paravai are considered iconic. 'In the song 'Unnai Ondru Ketpen,' there isn't much of a role for the hero. It is left to her to carry the scene and retain the audience's attention. Beauty alone is not enough to achieve that effect. Only a great actor can do it,' Ilavarasu added.
