The Indian film industry has lost one of its brightest and most enduring stars. B Saroja Devi, the celebrated actress who ruled the silver screen across Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, and Hindi cinema for over seven decades, passed away in Bengaluru on Monday. She was 87 and had been battling age-related health issues.

Legendary actress B Saroja Devi passes away at 87

Born on January 7, 1938, in Bangalore, Bangalore Saroja Devi became a household name with her remarkable performances and timeless beauty. Her cinematic journey began at the tender age of 17 with the Kannada film Mahakavi Kalidasa (1955). Her charm and screen presence soon made waves beyond borders, with her Telugu debut Panduranga Mahatyam (1957) and the landmark Tamil blockbuster Nadodi Mannan (1958) propelling her to pan-Indian stardom.

Known as the “Abinaya Saraswathi” of Indian cinema, Saroja Devi's versatility and grace saw her act alongside legends like MGR, NTR, Rajkumar, Sivaji Ganesan, and Dilip Kumar. Her Hindi debut, Paigham (1959), opened the doors to Bollywood, where she enjoyed a successful run until the mid-1960s.

Even after her marriage in 1967, unlike many of her contemporaries, she continued to reign the box office. She remained active in Tamil cinema until 1974 and went on to act in Kannada and Telugu films until the 1980s, defying the norm and becoming a symbol of longevity and artistic excellence.

Her contributions were recognized by the Government of India with prestigious civilian honours — the Padma Shri in 1969 and the Padma Bhushan in 1992. She was also conferred an honorary doctorate by Bangalore University and received the esteemed Kalaimamani award from the Tamil Nadu government.

As tributes pour in from across the nation, fans and film personalities alike remember B Saroja Devi not just as a glamorous star but as a pioneering icon who broke barriers, transcended regional cinema, and left behind an indelible legacy. Indian cinema has truly lost one of its last living legends.

We at Bollywood Hungama extend our heartfelt condolences to the legendary actress’ family.

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