Veteran actress B. Saroja Devi passes away at 87
Babushahi Bureau
New Delhi, July 14, 2025: Legendary South Indian actress B. Saroja Devi, fondly known as “Abhinaya Saraswathi”, passed away on Monday morning at the age of 87. A towering figure in Indian cinema, she acted in over 200 films across Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, and Hindi in a remarkable career that spanned more than seven decades.
Saroja Devi began her film journey at the young age of 17 with the Kannada film Mahakavi Kalidasa in 1955.She rose to immense fame after starring alongside M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) in the 1958 Tamil blockbuster Nadodi Mannan, a film that made her a household name.
Following the success of Nadodi Mannan, she became MGR’s lucky mascot, starring with him in 26 films — many of which are etched in the history of Tamil cinema as massive hits.
At one point, it was famously said that an MGR film was incomplete without B. Saroja Devi.She stepped into Hindi cinema in 1959 with Paigham, opposite the legendary Dilip Kumar. Her Hindi film career included hits like Sasural, Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya, and Beti Bete.
She shared the screen with stars like Raj Kapoor, Shammi Kapoor, and Sunil Dutt.
One of the rare actresses to shine across four major Indian film industries — Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi — Saroja Devi holds the world record for the most number of lead roles by a female actress, acting as the main heroine in 161 films between 1955 and 1984.
Honours and Awards
Her stellar contributions earned her several national and state accolades:
- Padma Shri in 1969
- Padma Bhushan in 1992
- Kalaimamani Award from Tamil Nadu
- Honorary Doctorate from Bangalore University
With her passing, Indian cinema mourns not just the loss of an actress but the end of a golden era. B. Saroja Devi’s grace, dedication, and powerful performances will continue to inspire generations.
Though she has bid farewell to the screen, her legacy remains immortal in the hearts of her fans and the annals of Indian film history.