South Indian actress B. Saroja Devi passed away at the age of 87 on Monday at a private hospital in Bengaluru. Reports say Saroja Devi had been receiving treatment for age-related health problems. She passed away on Monday, around 9 a.m., at her home in Malleswaram.
The sad news has deeply affected the entertainment world, with fans, celebrities, and politicians expressing their grief over the loss of the veteran actress. Tributes to Saroja Devi flooded social media within hours.
PM Modi Honours Her Legacy
Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a heartfelt message, calling her “an exemplary icon of Indian cinema and culture.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X: “Saddened by the passing of the noted film personality, B. Saroja Devi Ji. She will be remembered as an exemplary icon of Indian cinema and culture. Her diverse performances left an indelible mark across generations. Her works, spanning different languages and covering diverse themes, highlighted her versatile nature. My condolences to her family and admirers. Om Shanti.”
Saddened by the passing of the noted film personality, B. Saroja Devi Ji. She will be remembered as an exemplary icon of Indian cinema and culture. Her diverse performances left an indelible mark across generations. Her works, spanning different languages and covering diverse…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 14, 2025
Kamal Haasan
Kamal Haasan, visibly emotional, remembered her as a maternal figure, recalling, “Wherever she saw me- at every stage of my life – she was there with a gentle finger on my cheek and a loving voice saying, ‘My dear son.’ She was like another mother to me, Saroja Devi Amma. An artist who lived beyond the boundaries of language and region, she has passed away.” He further added, “From the time of my second film, Parthal Pasi Theerum, so many unforgettable memories come flooding through my heart. My eyes brim with tears. A motherly soul who always wished to see me in a place of prominence. I bow down and bid her farewell.”
என்னைப் பார்க்கும் இடமெல்லாம் – என் எந்த வயதிலும் – கன்னம் கிள்ளும் விரலோடு, ‘செல்ல மகனே’ என்னும் குரலோடு இன்னொரு தாயாக இருந்தவர் சரோஜா தேவி அம்மா. மொழி, பிரதேச எல்லை இல்லாது வாழ்ந்த கலைஞர். மறைந்துவிட்டார். என் இரண்டாம் படமான ‘பார்த்தால் பசி தீரும்’ படப்பிடிப்புத் தருணங்கள்…
— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) July 14, 2025
Also Read: Legendary Kannada Actress B. Saroja Devi Passes Away At 87 In Bengaluru
Rajnikanth
Superstar Rajinikanth also expressed grief, writing in Tamil, “The great actress Saroja Devi, who won the hearts of millions of fans, is no longer with us. May her soul rest in peace. #SarojaDevi.”
பல கோடி ரசிகர்களின் மனம் கவர்ந்த மாபெரும் நடிகை சரோஜாதேவி இப்போது நம்முடன் இல்லை.
— Rajinikanth (@rajinikanth) July 14, 2025
அவருடைய ஆத்மா சாந்தியடையட்டும். 🙏🏻#SarojaDevi
Vijay Sethupathi simply stated, “RIP #SarojaDevi Madam.”
RIP #SarojaDevi Madam pic.twitter.com/ZE4e0z1hhn
— VijaySethupathi (@VijaySethuOffl) July 14, 2025
Who Was Saroja Devi?
Known affectionately as ‘Abhinaya Saraswathi’ and ‘Kannadathu Paingili,’ Devi made her first appearance in the Kannada film Mahakavi Kalidasa back in 1955. Over her long career spanning seven decades, she acted in more than 200 films across Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, and Telugu languages. Some of her most memorable movies include Anna Thangi, Bhakta Kanakadasa, Kittur Chennamma, Babruvahana, Kasturi Nivasa, Nadodi Mannan, Panduranga Mahatyam, Karpoora Karasi, Bale Bangaara, Naagakannike, Bettada Hoovu, and Thirumanam. Her last film appearance was in the Kannada movie Natasaarvabhowma in 2019.
Saroja Devi was honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 1992 and the Padma Shri in 1969 for her significant contribution to Indian cinema. She started her film career at just 17 years old and gained popularity with her Kannada debut film, Mahakavi Kalidasa. Meanwhile, her Telugu debut film Panduranga Mahatyam (1957) brought her even more recognition. With the release of her Tamil film Nadodi Mannan in 1958, she became a household name in the Tamil film industry.
In 1967, Saroja married Sri Harsha, an engineer. Unfortunately, he passed away in 1986 due to health-related issues. Her notable awards include the Lifetime Achievement Award (2008), the Kalaimamani Award from the Government of Tamil Nadu, and others. Devi starred in the Hindi film Paigham (1959) and acted as the female lead in 161 consecutive films.
Also Read: Who Was B Saroja Devi? Veteran Kannada Actress And Padma Bhushan Awardee Passes Away At 87