PM Modi,film fraternity mourn B Saroja Devi's demise at 87

The Indian cinema lost one of its brightest stars as veteran actor B Saroja Devi passed away on Monday at the age of 87. The first female superstar of Kannada cinema and a beloved figure across South Indian film industries, Saroja Devi’s death has left the film fraternity and countless admirers mourning the loss of a timeless legend.B Saroja Devi, fondly known as Kannadathu Paingili (Kannada’s parrot) and Abhinaya Saraswathi (Saraswathi of expressions), had a storied career that spanned over seven decades and nearly 200 films across Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi languages. She made her debut in 1955 with Mahakavi Kalidasa and quickly rose to prominence with memorable roles in films like Thirudathe (1961), Kittooru Rani Chennamma (1961), Periya Idathu Penn (1963), Beti Bete (1964), and Enga Veetu Pillai (1965). Her graceful performances and unmatched versatility won her a permanent place in Indian cinema history.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep grief over the veteran actor’s passing. In a heartfelt post on X, he wrote,
"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, Khushbu Sundar, Simran Bagga, and other leading actors joined in remembering her contributions and mourning her loss.
Saroja Devi’s impact on Indian cinema went beyond language and region. She was one of the few actors to achieve massive success in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi films, breaking barriers at a time when the industry was still evolving. Her poise, powerful screen presence, and ability to portray a wide spectrum of emotions made her a household name across generations.She was the recipient of numerous awards, including the Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri, for her contribution to Indian cinema. Her acting style and character portrayals helped shape the roles of women in South Indian films, paving the way for many actresses who followed.