Veteran South Indian actress B Saroja Devi, celebrated as “Abhinaya Saraswathi” in Kannada and “Kannadathu Paingili” in Tamil, passed away on July 14 at her residence in Malleswaram, Bengaluru, following age-related ailments. Born on January 7, 1938, in Bengaluru, she began her film career at just 17 with the Kannada classic Mahakavi Kalidasa in 1955.
With an illustrious career spanning more than seven decades, she delivered unforgettable performances in over 200 films across Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi. Her notable works include Nadodi Mannan alongside MGR, devotional epics like Panduranga Mahatyam, and hits such as Kittur Chennamma and Anna Thangi. She achieved unprecedented success, featuring as the lead in 161 consecutive films- an unmatched feat.
A recipient of prestigious honours including the Padma Shri (1969), Padma Bhushan (1992), state awards, and lifetime achievement recognitions, she leaves behind a towering legacy. Tributes from fans, celebrities, and Karnataka’s Chief Minister poured in, describing her passing as the end of an era.
