On July 14, 2025, the Indian film world lost a legendary actress, B. Saroja Devi, who passed away at the age of 87 in Bengaluru. She was a beloved figure in Indian cinema. Her journey touched the hearts of millions. She acted in over 200 films. Her work spanned Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, and Hindi movies. Known as “Abhinaya Saraswathi” in Kannada and “Kannadathu Paingili” in Tamil, she was a true icon. Her grace, talent, and charm made her a superstar. This article tells her inspiring story in simple words. It celebrates her life, career, and legacy.
Early Life And Family
B. Saroja Devi was born on January 7, 1938, in Bengaluru, Karnataka. Her full name was Bangalore Saroja Devi. She grew up in a simple family. Her father, Bhairappa, was a police officer. Her mother, Rudramma, was a homemaker. Saroja was the fourth daughter in the family. She had three sisters. Her grandfather wanted to give her up for adoption. But her father refused. He loved his daughter dearly. He saw her potential early on.
As a child, Saroja was shy but talented. Her father encouraged her to learn dancing. She trained in classical dance forms like Bharatanatyam. Her graceful moves caught people’s attention. She went to St. Theresa School in Chamarajpet, Bengaluru. She dreamed of becoming a teacher. But fate had other plans. At 13, she sang at a school event. A famous filmmaker, Honnappa Bhagavathar, noticed her. He offered her a role in a movie. At first, she said no. She wanted to focus on studies. But her mother convinced her to try acting. This decision changed her life forever.
Saroja Devi Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Husband, Daughter, Family
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Bangalore Saroja Devi |
| Date of Birth | January 7, 1938 |
| Place of Birth | Bengaluru, Karnataka, India |
| Parents | Father: Bhairappa (Police Officer) Mother: Rudramma (Homemaker) |
| Siblings | Three sisters |
| Education | Studied at St. Theresa School, Chamarajpet, Bengaluru |
| Early Interest | Wanted to be a teacher; trained in Bharatanatyam dance |
| Film Debut | Kannada film: Mahakavi Kalidasa (1955, supporting role) |
| Breakthrough Film | Tamil film: Nadodi Mannan (1958) with M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) |
| Languages Acted In | Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Hindi |
| Notable Co-Stars | M.G. Ramachandran (26 films), N.T. Rama Rao, Sivaji Ganesan, Dilip Kumar, Rajendra Kumar, Shammi Kapoor |
| Famous Films | Panduranga Mahatyam (Telugu, 1957); Paigham (Hindi, 1959); Sasural (Hindi, 1961); Puthiya Paravai (Tamil, 1964); Enga Veettu Pillai (Tamil, 1965); Anbe Vaa (Tamil, 1966) |
| Total Films | Over 200 films |
| Nicknames | “Abhinaya Saraswathi” (Kannada), “Kannadathu Paingili” (Tamil), “Chaturbhaasha Taare” (Star of Four Languages) |
| Fashion Influence | Known for iconic saris, blouses, and hairstyles; inspired women in the 1960s |
| Marriage | Married Sri Harsha (engineer) in 1967 |
| Children | Son: Gautam Daughter: Indira Adopted niece: Bhuvaneshwari (deceased) |
| Personal Losses | Husband passed away in 1986 Adopted daughter Bhuvaneshwari passed away |
| Last Film | Natasaarvabhowma (Kannada, 2019) |
| Awards | - Padma Shri (1969) - Padma Bhushan (1992) - Kalaimamani Award (Tamil Nadu) - Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award (South) - Special Lifetime Achievement Award (National Film Awards, 2006) - Honorary Doctorate from Bangalore University |
| Other Contributions | - Chairperson of Karnataka Film Development Corporation - Led Kantheerava Studios, Bengaluru - Served on National Film Awards jury twice |
| Social Work | - Started charitable trusts in memory of husband and daughter - Donated computer science hall to Poorna Prajna School - Built classroom for disabled children at Cluny Convent, Malleshwaram - Organized donation camps |
| Date of Passing | July 14, 2025 |
| Place of Passing | Malleshwaram, Bengaluru, India |
| Cause of Passing | Age-related illness |
| Legacy | - Acted in 161 films as lead heroine (1955–1984, a record) - One film release every year from 1955–1978 - Acted in 62 films in eight years - Inspired generations of actors and fans |
Entry Into Films
Saroja Devi started her film career at 17. Her first movie was a Kannada film called *Mahakavi Kalidasa* in 1955. She played a supporting role. The film was a big success. It even won a National Film Award. People loved her performance. Her expressive eyes and natural acting won hearts. Soon, she got more offers. She worked hard to improve her skills. Her father supported her fully. He often went with her to film studios. He tied her dance anklets and cared for her after long shoots.
In 1957, Saroja entered Tamil cinema. She acted in *Thangamalai Ragasiyam*. She performed a dance sequence in it. Her grace impressed everyone. Then, in 1958, she got a big break. She starred in *Nadodi Mannan* with M.G. Ramachandran (MGR). This Tamil film made her a star. People called her and MGR a superhit pair. They acted together in 26 films. Each one was a blockbuster. Saroja’s fame grew fast. She became a household name in Tamil Nadu.
Success Across Languages
Saroja Devi was special because she worked in four languages. She acted in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi films. This was rare at the time. In Telugu cinema, she debuted with *Panduranga Mahatyam* in 1957. At first, another actress dubbed her voice. But Saroja learned Telugu quickly. She started dubbing her own lines. Her films with N.T. Rama Rao, like *Seetarama Kalyanam* (1961), were huge hits. She became a top actress in Telugu cinema.
In Hindi films, Saroja made her mark too. Her first Bollywood movie was *Paigham* in 1959. She acted with the legendary Dilip Kumar. Audiences loved her charm. She worked with other big stars like Rajendra Kumar and Shammi Kapoor. Films like *Sasural* (1961) and *Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya* (1963) were successful. People called her “Chaturbhaasha Taare,” meaning “Star of Four Languages.” She was proud of this title. Her ability to act in different languages made her unique.
A Fashion Icon
In the 1960s, Saroja Devi became a style icon. Women across South India admired her. They copied her saris, blouses, and jewelry. Her looks in films like *Enga Veettu Pillai* (1965) and *Anbe Vaa* (1966) were famous. Magazines featured her fashion tips. Her hairstyles were trendy. Young girls tried to walk and talk like her. Saroja’s elegance was unmatched. She brought grace to every role she played.
Her acting was not just about looks. She had a gift for emotions. Her expressive eyes spoke volumes. She could play any role—romantic heroine, brave queen, or loving mother. In *Puthiya Paravai* (1964), she played a CID officer. Her performance was unforgettable. She made every character feel real. Fans loved her for this.
Personal Life And Challenges
In 1967, Saroja Devi married Sri Harsha, an engineer. They had a happy marriage. But she faced tough times later. In 1986, her husband passed away. This was a big loss for her. She also lost her adopted daughter, Bhuvaneshwari, who was her niece. Despite these sorrows, Saroja stayed strong. She raised her son, Gautam, and daughter, Indira. She also cared for her two grandchildren. Her family gave her strength to move forward.
After her husband’s death, Saroja acted less. But she never left cinema completely. She took on character roles. Her last film was *Natasaarvabhowma* in 2019. It was a Kannada movie. Even in her later years, she shone on screen. Her grace never faded. She inspired younger actors with her dedication.
Awards And Honors
Saroja Devi received many awards. In 1969, she got the Padma Shri. It is India’s fourth-highest civilian honor. In 1992, she received the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest honor. The Tamil Nadu government gave her the Kalaimamani Award. Bangalore University honored her with a doctorate. She also won the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award for South Indian cinema. In 2006, she got a Special Lifetime Achievement Award at the National Film Awards. These awards showed her impact on Indian cinema.
She also served cinema in other ways. She was the chairperson of the Karnataka Film Development Corporation. She led Kantheerava Studios in Bengaluru. She was part of the National Film Awards jury twice. Her work helped shape Indian cinema’s future.
Social Work and Legacy
Saroja Devi was kind-hearted. She did a lot for society. She started charitable trusts in memory of her husband and daughter. She donated a computer science hall to Poorna Prajna School in Bengaluru. She built a classroom for disabled children at Cluny Convent, Malleshwaram. She organized donation camps. Her efforts helped many people. She believed in giving back to society.
Her legacy is not just in films. She set records that still stand. She acted as the lead heroine in 161 films from 1955 to 1984. No other Indian actress has matched this. She had at least one film release every year from 1955 to 1978. In just eight years, she acted in 62 movies. These are incredible achievements. They show her hard work and talent.
Final Years And Passing
In her later years, Saroja Devi lived quietly in Bengaluru. She stayed close to her family. She mentored young artists. She shared her wisdom with new filmmakers. On July 14, 2025, she passed away at her home in Malleshwaram. She had been unwell due to age-related issues. Her death was a great loss. Fans, actors, and leaders mourned her. Karnataka’s Chief Minister announced that her funeral would have full state honors. Stars like Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan paid tribute to her.
A Timeless Star
B. Saroja Devi was more than an actress. She was a trailblazer. She broke barriers in Indian cinema. She showed women could be superstars. Her films brought joy to millions. Her style inspired generations. Her kindness touched countless lives. From a shy girl in Bengaluru to a legend of Indian cinema, her journey was remarkable. She worked with icons like MGR, Sivaji Ganesan, and N.T. Rama Rao. Each role she played was special. Her expressive eyes and warm smile stayed in people’s hearts.
Even today, her films are watched with love. Movies like *Nadodi Mannan* and *Puthiya Paravai* are classics. Her story teaches us to follow our dreams. It shows the power of hard work. Saroja Devi’s name will live on. She is a shining star who will never fade. Her legacy will inspire actors and fans forever.