Legendary actress B. Saroja Devi, a towering presence in Indian cinema and recipient of the Padma Bhushan, passed away at the age of 87 on Monday morning at her residence in Bengaluru. With an illustrious career spanning over three decades, she left an indelible mark on Telugu, Kannada, and Tamil films, sharing screen space with stalwarts like NTR, ANR, and MGR in several iconic blockbusters.
Born in Karnataka in 1942, Saroja Devi made her cinematic debut at just 13 with the Kannada film Mahakavi Kalidasa (1955). Her early recognition in Telugu cinema came with Panduranga Mahatyam and Bhookailas, followed by a breakthrough role in Pelli Sandadi (1959). She went on to feature in several Telugu classics including Seetharama Kalyanam (1961), Jagadeka Veeruni Katha (1961), Sri Krishnarjuna Yuddham (1963), Dagudu Moothalu (1964), Atmabalam (1964), Shakuntala (1966), Dana Veera Sura Karna (1978), and Alludu Diddina Kapuram (1991).
From 1955 to 1984, she made history by playing lead roles in 161 consecutive films, a record that remains unmatched. Honoured with the Padma Shri in 1969 and the Padma Bhushan in 1992, B. Saroja Devi’s contributions to Indian cinema remain a golden chapter in its history.
