On July 17, 2025, the world of Indian cinema lost a legendary actress, B. Saroja Devi, who passed away at the age of 87 in Bengaluru. She was a beloved figure in Indian films. Her journey in cinema spanned over seven decades. She acted in more than 200 films. Her work covered Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi cinema. Known as "Abhinaya Saraswathi" (Goddess of Acting) in Kannada and "Kannadathu Paingili" (Kannada's Parrot) in Tamil, she won millions of hearts. Her graceful acting and charming presence made her a superstar. This article tells the story of her life in simple words. It explores her early years, career, personal life, and lasting legacy.
Early Life And Family
B. Saroja Devi was born on January 7, 1938, in Bengaluru, Karnataka. She grew up in a simple family. Her father, Bhairappa, worked as a police officer. Her mother, Rudramma, was a homemaker. Saroja was the youngest of four daughters. Her family belonged to the Vokkaliga community. They lived in Dhashavara, Channapatna Taluk, in what was then the Kingdom of Mysore. Saroja’s father loved the arts. He wanted her to learn dancing. He also encouraged her to act. Her mother was strict. She set rules for Saroja, like not wearing sleeveless blouses or swimsuits. Saroja followed these rules throughout her career. As a young girl, she studied at St. Theresa’s Girls’ High School in Chamrajpet, Bengaluru. She dreamed of becoming a teacher. But her life took a different path.
At the age of 13, Saroja’s talent was noticed. She was singing at a school function. A famous actor and filmmaker, Honnappa Bhagavathar, saw her. He offered her a role in a film. At first, Saroja refused. She loved her school and her dream of teaching. But her mother convinced her to try acting. This decision changed her life forever. Saroja’s father supported her new journey. He often went with her to film studios. He tied her dance anklets and cared for her tired feet after long dance rehearsals. Her family’s love and support shaped her early years.
Saroja Devi Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Husband, Daughter, Family
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Bhimavarapu Saroja Devi |
| Date of Birth | January 7, 1938 |
| Place of Birth | Bengaluru, Karnataka, India (then Kingdom of Mysore) |
| Date of Death | July 14, 2025 |
| Place of Death | Bengaluru, Karnataka, India |
| Family | Father: Bhairappa (police officer); Mother: Rudramma (homemaker); Youngest of four daughters; Husband: Sri Harsha (married 1967, died 1986); Adopted Daughter: Bhuvaneshwari (deceased); Grandchildren: Indira, Gautam |
| Education | Studied at St. Theresa’s Girls’ High School, Chamrajpet, Bengaluru |
| Early Dream | Wanted to become a teacher |
| Entry into Cinema | Discovered at 13 during a school singing event by Honnappa Bhagavathar; First film: Mahakavi Kalidasa (Kannada, 1955) as Vidyadhare |
| Major Film Industries | Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi |
| Notable Films | Kannada: Mahakavi Kalidasa, Bhookailasa; Tamil: Nadodi Mannan, Palum Pazhamum, Puthiya Paravai, Enga Veettu Pillai; Telugu: Panduranga Mahatyam, Seetha Rama Kalyanam, Danasoora Karna; Hindi: Paigham, Sasural, Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya |
| Total Films | Over 200 films; lead heroine in 161 films (1955–1984) |
| Famous Co-Stars | M.G. Ramachandran (26 films), Sivaji Ganesan (22 films), N.T. Rama Rao, Rajkumar, Dilip Kumar, Rajendra Kumar, Shammi Kapoor |
| Nicknames | “Abhinaya Saraswathi” (Goddess of Acting) in Kannada; “Kannadathu Paingili” (Kannada’s Parrot) in Tamil |
| Fashion Influence | Known as a style icon in the 1960s; Popularized sarees, blouses, and simple hairstyles |
| Awards and Honors | Padma Shri (1969); Padma Bhushan (1992); Kalaimamani Award (Tamil Nadu); Dr. Rajkumar Award (Karnataka); NTR National Award (Andhra Pradesh); Honorary Doctorate (Bangalore University) |
| Charity Work | Started charitable trusts; Donated to schools and hospitals; Built computer science hall at Poorna Prajna School, Bengaluru; Made classroom for disabled children at Cluny Convent, Malleshwaram |
| Other Contributions | Chairperson of Karnataka Film Development Corporation; Jury member for National Film Awards (twice) |
| Last Film | Natasaarvabhowma (2019; guest role with Puneeth Rajkumar) |
| Legacy | Pioneered roles for women in Indian cinema; Inspired generations with her acting, grace, and kindness |
Entry Into Cinema
Saroja Devi’s film journey began in 1955. She was only 17 years old. Her first film was a Kannada movie called *Mahakavi Kalidasa*. She played a supporting role as Vidyadhare. The film was a big success. It won a National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada. This gave Saroja confidence. Soon, more film offers came her way. She cried at the thought of leaving school. But acting became her new passion. Her grace and talent made her stand out.
In 1957, Saroja entered Tamil cinema with *Thangamalai Ragasiyam*. She performed a dance sequence in the film. Her beauty and skill caught everyone’s attention. The next year, she got a big break. She acted in the Tamil film *Nadodi Mannan* with M.G. Ramachandran (MGR). This movie made her a star in Tamil cinema. Her dance in the song “Manai Thedi Machan Vara Poran” became very famous. People loved her expressive eyes and elegant style. Saroja’s fame grew quickly. She became a household name in South India.
A Star in Four Languages
Saroja Devi was special because she worked in four film industries. She acted in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi films. Very few actresses could do this. In Telugu cinema, she debuted with *Panduranga Mahatyam* in 1957. She acted with N.T. Rama Rao, a big star. Their films like *Seetha Rama Kalyanam* and *Danasoora Karna* were huge hits. Saroja learned to speak Telugu fluently. She dubbed her own voice in many films. This made her performances feel real,
In Hindi cinema, Saroja worked with top actors. Her first Hindi film was *Paigham* in 1959 with Dilip Kumar. She also acted with Rajendra Kumar in *Sasural* (1961) and Shammi Kapoor in *Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya* (1963). Her role in *Sasural* won many hearts. People admired her ability to act in different languages. She worked hard to learn new languages. Her dedication made her a favorite across India.
Saroja acted in over 200 films. She was the lead heroine in 161 films from 1955 to 1984. This is a record in Indian cinema. She worked with big stars like MGR, Sivaji Ganesan, and Rajkumar. She acted in 26 films with MGR and 22 with Sivaji Ganesan. Her films like *Palum Pazhamum* (1961), *Puthiya Paravai* (1964), and *Enga Veettu Pillai* (1965) were superhits. Her ability to play different roles amazed everyone. She could be a romantic heroine, a queen, or a loving mother. Her expressive acting touched audiences deeply.
A Fashion Icon
In the 1960s, Saroja Devi became a style icon. Women in South India copied her look. They loved her sarees, blouses, and jewelry. Films like *Enga Veettu Pillai* and *Anbe Vaa* set fashion trends. Magazines wrote about her style. Her elegant sarees and simple hairstyles were popular. Saroja’s charm was not just in her acting. Her grace off-screen inspired many. She showed that beauty comes from simplicity and confidence.
Personal Life And Challenges
In 1967, Saroja married Sri Harsha, an engineer. He was a kind and supportive husband. He helped her manage her money and career. Saroja faced financial problems early in her career. Sri Harsha guided her through these tough times. They lived happily until his death in 1986. This was a big loss for Saroja. She also lost her adopted daughter, Bhuvaneshwari. These tragedies made her stronger. She cared for her two grandchildren, Indira and Gautam, in her later years.
Saroja’s mother wanted her to stop acting after marriage. But Saroja loved her work. Her husband encouraged her to continue. She acted in films until the 1980s. After her husband’s death, she took fewer roles. Her last film was *Natasaarvabhowma* in 2019. It was a guest role with Puneeth Rajkumar. Even in her later years, she stayed connected to cinema.
Awards And Honors
Saroja Devi received many awards. In 1969, she got the Padma Shri, a high honor from the Indian government. In 1992, she received the Padma Bhushan, another prestigious award. Tamil Nadu gave her the Kalaimamani Award. Karnataka honored her with the Dr. Rajkumar Award. Andhra Pradesh gave her the NTR National Award. Bangalore University gave her an honorary doctorate. These awards show how much people respected her work.
Saroja also served Indian cinema in other ways. She was the chairperson of the Karnataka Film Development Corporation. She led the jury for the National Film Awards twice. She worked to improve the film industry. Her efforts helped new actors and filmmakers.
Charity And Social Work
Saroja Devi had a big heart. She started many charitable trusts. She donated to schools and hospitals. She built a computer science hall at Poorna Prajna School in Bengaluru. She also made a classroom for disabled children at Cluny Convent, Malleshwaram. These were in memory of her husband, daughter, and mother. She organized donation camps to help the poor. Her kindness touched many lives. She believed in giving back to society.
A Lasting Legacy
Saroja Devi was more than an actress. She was a pioneer. She broke barriers for women in cinema. She showed that women could be superstars. Her films brought joy to millions. Her roles gave depth to female characters. She played strong, kind, and brave women on screen. This inspired many girls to dream big.
Her death on July 14, 2025, was a sad moment. She passed away due to age-related illnesses. Fans, actors, and leaders mourned her loss. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called her an “exemplary icon of Indian cinema.” Actors like Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan shared emotional tributes. They saw her as a motherly figure. Her films and memories live on.
Saroja Devi’s life was full of achievements. She started as a young girl with a dream of teaching. She became a superstar who ruled four film industries. Her hard work and talent made her special. She faced challenges with courage. Her kindness and charity made her a role model. Even today, her films are watched and loved. Saroja Devi will always be remembered as a shining star of Indian cinema. Her legacy will inspire generations to come.