{{Short description|Indian actress (1938–2025)}} {{Use Indian English|date=August 2015}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2022}} {{Infobox person | name = B. Saroja Devi | image = Saroja Devi.jpg | caption = Saroja Devi in 2008 | birth_name = B. Saroja Devi | birth_date = {{Birth date|1938|01|07|df=yes}} | birth_place = Bangalore, Kingdom of Mysore, British India (present-day Karnataka, India) | death_date = {{Death date and age|2025|07|14|1938|01|07|df=yes}} | death_place = Bengaluru, Karnataka, India | other_names = | occupation = Actress | years_active = 1954–2025 | works = Full list | spouse = {{marriage|Sri Harsha|1967|1986|end= d.}} | children = 4 | honours = {{ubl| border|23px Padma Shri (1969)|border|23px Padma Bhushan (1992)}} }}
'''B. Saroja Devi''' (7 January 1938– 14 July 2025) was an Indian actress who appeared in 200 Kannada, Tamil, Telugu and Hindi films over seven decades. She was one of the most successful actresses in the history of Indian cinema. She is regarded as the first lady superstar of Kannada cinema. Posthumously, Saroja Devi became the first women to be awarded the Karnataka Ratna, state's highest civilian award.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/bangalore/vishnuvardhan-saroja-devi-karnataka-ratna-award-posthumously-10244410/|title=Vishnuvardhan, Saroja Devi to be conferred with Karnataka Ratna award posthumously|work=Indian Express|date=11 September 2025}}</ref>
Saroja Devi was fondly called as ''Kannadathu Painkili'' (Kannada's parrot) in Tamil cinema and ''Abhinaya Saraswathi'' (Goddess of Acting) in Kannada cinema.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/saroja-devi-the-kannadathu-payinkili-and-abinaya-saraswathi-of-tamil-cinema/article69810006.ece|title=Saroja Devi the Kannadathu Painkili and Abhinaya Saraswathi of Tamil cinema|work=The Hindu|date=14 July 2025}}</ref>
Aged 17, Saroja Devi got her first big break with the Kannada film ''Mahakavi Kalidasa'' (1955).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/others/remembering-b-saroja-devi-with-her-best-films-mahakavi-kalidasa-nadodi-mannan-kittur-chennamma-anbe-vaa-101752476364750.html|title = Remembering B Saroja Devi with her best films: From Mahakavi Kalidasa, Nadodi Mannan to Anbe Vaa, Kittur Chennamma}}</ref> In Telugu cinema, she made her debut with ''Panduranga Mahatyam'' (1957), and starred in a number of successful films until the late 1970s. The Tamil film ''Nadodi Mannan'' (1958) made her one of the top actresses in Tamil cinema. After her marriage in 1967, she continued to be in demand, acting in Tamil films until 1974 and in Telugu and Kannada films until the 1980s. She also starred in Hindi films until the mid-1960s, starting with ''Paigham'' (1959).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporterindia.com/features/insight/b-saroja-devi-legendary-kannada-and-tamil-actress-passes-away-at-87|title = Legendary Actress Saroja Devi Passes Away At 87; Film Fraternity Pays Tributes}}</ref>
In 1969, Saroja Devi received the Padma Sri, the fourth-highest civilian honour, and in 1992 the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award, from the government of India. She received an honorary doctorate degree from Bangalore University and the Kalaimamani award from the state of Tamil Nadu.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2025/Jul/14/saroja-devi-taught-me-how-to-wear-makeup-and-say-my-lines-simran|title = Saroja Devi taught me how to wear makeup and say my lines: Simran}}</ref> She also received the Dr. Rajkumar Award Lifetime Achievement by the Government of Karnataka and the NTR National Award from the Government of Andhra Pradesh.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/kannada/news/2025/Jul/14/b-saroja-devi-passes-away-at-87-a-legendary-journey-comes-to-an-end|title = B Saroja Devi passes away at 87: A legendary journey comes to an end}}</ref>
In 2025, Government of Karnataka announced to constitute the 'Abhinaya Saraswathi B. Saroja Devi Lifetime Achievement Award' in her honour.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://171ydVQg7f28sQuWv/|title=Abhinaya Saraswathi award by Karnataka government|work=Prestige trust of India|date= 17 September 2025}}</ref>
==Early life== Saroja Devi was born in Bangalore on January 7, 1938, into a Vokkaliga family. The family was native to Dashavara, Channapatna Taluk, Kingdom of Mysore (now Karnataka).<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nE2mwKYwdJ8C |title=Film World, Volume 1 |editor=T.M. Ramachandran |year=1964 |page=145}}</ref> Her father, Bhairappa, was a police officer in Mysore. Her mother, Rudramma, was a homemaker. She was the fourth daughter in the family. She studied at St. Teresa's Girls' High School in Chamrajpet, Bangalore.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ali |first1=Mansoor |title=From France With Love |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/2015/Jan/06/from-france-with-love-702001.html |work=The New Indian Express |date=6 January 2015 |language=en}}</ref>
Bhairappa asked Saroja to learn dancing and had encouraged her to take up acting as a career. Young Saroja Devi was often accompanied by her father to studios, and he would patiently tie on her salangais and massage her swollen feet after her dancing stints.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2008/jul/01slide2.htm |title=Celebrating Saroja Devi: The Beginning |author=Pavithra Srinivasan |work=Rediff.com |access-date=29 October 2015}}</ref> Her mother gave her a strict dress code of no swimsuits and no sleeveless blouses, which she followed for the rest of her career.<ref name="HT_Renuka_2008"/> She was first spotted at the age of 13 by B.R. Krishnamurthy when she was singing at a function, but she declined his film offer.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/B-Saroja-Devi-in-the-list-of-greatest-Indianactresses-ever/articleshow/19895895.cms |title=B Saroja Devi in the list of greatest Indian actresses ever |website=The Times of India}}</ref>
==Career== ===Rise to stardom (1955-1967)=== Saroja Devi's debut movie and also her first major success was K. R. Seetharama Sastry's Kannada film ''Mahakavi Kalidasa'' (1955), in which she played the heroine role 'Vidyadhare'. The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada. Next, she acted in B. R. Panthulu's Tamil film ''Thangamalai Ragasiyam'' (1957), in which she performed a dance sequence.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2008/jul/01slide3.htm |title=Celebrating Saroja Devi: Foray into movies |author=Pavithra Srinivasan |work=Rediff.com |access-date=29 October 2015}}</ref> She was one of the very few actresses who starred in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu and Hindi in the 1950s.
Subsequently, she was noted by M. G. Ramachandran (MGR), who cast her as the female lead in ''Nadodi Mannan'' (1958), the movie that made her one of the most popular actresses in Tamil Nadu. She was then signed up for the Hindi film ''Paigham'' (1959), in which her co-stars included Dilip Kumar. She went on to work with other leading Hindi actors, including Rajendra Kumar in ''Sasural'' (1961), Sunil Dutt in ''Beti Bete'' (1964) and Shammi Kapoor in ''Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya'' (1963). She also shot a few scenes with Raj Kapoor for ''Nazrana'' (1961), but was replaced by Vyjayanthimala after a conflict with the director C. V. Sridhar.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=e07vBwAAQBAJ&pg=PA128 |title=Pride of Tamil Cinema |author=G. Dhananjayan |author-link=G. Dhananjayan |publisher=Blue Ocean |year=2014 |page=128}}</ref>
Following the success of ''Nadodi Mannan'', she was also cast opposite the leading Tamil actors of that time: with Gemini Ganesan in ''Kalyana Parisu'' (1959), with Sivaji Ganesan in ''Bhaaga Pirivinai'' (1959) and again with MGR in ''Thirudadhe'' (1961).<ref name="rediff_2008_4">{{cite web |url=http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2008/jul/01slide4.htm |title=Celebrating Saroja Devi: Woking with Gemini Ganesan and Sivaji Ganesan |author=Pavithra Srinivasan |work=Rediff.com |access-date=29 October 2015}}</ref> Her involvement in Tamil films also continued with superhits like ''Palum Pazhamum'' (1961), ''Vazhkai Vazhvatharke'' (1964), ''Aalayamani'' (1962), ''Periya Idathu Penn'' (1963), ''Puthiya Paravai'' (1964), ''Panakkara Kudumbam'' (1964), ''Enga Veetu Pillai'' (1965) and ''Anbe Vaa'' (1966).<ref>[http://www.thesundayindian.com/en/story/starring-mgr--jayalalitha/7148/ Starring MGR-Saroja Devi] thesundayindian.com {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930081536/http://www.thesundayindian.com/en/story/starring-mgr--jayalalitha/7148/ |date=30 September 2011 }}</ref> The women adored her dressing sense and her saris and blouses, ornaments, hairstyles were copied by girls and women.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/2008/jul/01slide6.htm |title=rediff.com: Abhinaya Saraswathi Saroja Devi |work=Rediff.com}}</ref> She came to be known as a "lucky mascot" for MGR films and acted with him in 26 films.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2008/jul/01slide5.htm |title=Celebrating Saroja Devi: The lucky mascot of MGR movies |author=Pavithra Srinivasan |work=Rediff.com |access-date=29 October 2015}}</ref>The pairing of Sivaji Ganesan and Saroja Devi gave 22 back-to-back hit movies and with Gemini Ganesan in 17 movies.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/saroja-devi-1938-2025-in-pictures/article69809634.ece|title = Saroja Devi (1938-2025)}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://madrasmusings.com/vol-35-no-8/ode-to-a-nightingale/|title = Ode to a Nightingale}}</ref> The women adored her dressing sense and her saris and blouses, ornaments, hairstyles were copied by girls and women.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/2008/jul/01slide6.htm |title=rediff.com: Abhinaya Saraswathi Saroja Devi |work=Rediff.com}}</ref>
Her early successes in Kannada cinema included ''Chintamani'' (1957), ''School Master'' (1958) and ''Jagajyothi Basveshwara'' (1959). Her performance as a patriotic anti-British queen in the Kannada ''Kittooru Rani Chennamma'' (1961) was widely acclaimed. In 1964, she and Kalyan Kumar acted in the first full-fledged Kannada colour movie ''Amarashilpi Jakanachari'' (1964). thumb|250px|Saroja Devi in 1965 Saroja Devi also achieved success in Telugu films, starring opposite N. T. Rama Rao in ''Seetarama Kalyanam'' (1961), ''Jagadeka Veeruni Katha'' (1961) and ''Dagudu Moothalu'' (1964). ''Amara Shilpi Jakkanna'' (1964), ''Sakunthala'' (1966) and ''Rahasyam'' (1967).
In subsequent years, however, Saroja Devi learnt the Telugu language. Her Hindi films included ''Sasural'' (1961), ''Opera House'' (1961), ''Hong Kong'' (1962) and ''Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya'' (1963), which became successful. In 1962 she was crowned "Chaturbhaasha Taare", because of her popularity in these four languages.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2008/jul/01slide5.htm |title=rediff.com: Abhinaya Saraswathi Saroja Devi |work=Rediff.com}}</ref>
In 1958, Saroja Devi was booked by M. G. Ramachandran for his second directorial venture ''Ponniyin Selvan''.<ref name="selvan">{{cite news |author=A. Srivathsan |date=19 October 2011 |title=Age hardly withers charm of Ponniyin Selvan |url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/books/article2550847.ece |access-date=21 January 2012 |newspaper=The Hindu}}</ref> One of the first screen adaptations of Kalki Krishnamurthy's ''Ponniyin Selvan'', the film had a huge ensemble cast consisting of Vyjayanthimala, Savitri, Gemini Ganesan, Padmini, M. N. Rajam and Nagesh.<ref name="ponni cast2">{{cite web |date=31 May 2011 |title=Ponniyin Selvan Movie Attempts – is it a curse or lack of purse : MGR – Gemini Ganeshan – Vyjayanthimala Bali |url=http://600024.com/specials/ponniyin-selvan-movie-attempts-is-it-a-curse-or-lack-of-purse/2/ |access-date=21 January 2012 |publisher=600024.com |archive-date=1 July 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120701161844/http://600024.com/specials/ponniyin-selvan-movie-attempts-is-it-a-curse-or-lack-of-purse/2/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In the film, she was given the role of Manimekalai princess of Kadamboor and the sister of Kandanmaaran and daughter of Sambuvaraiyar.<ref name="ponni cast2" /> However, in mid-1958 the film was shelved for unknown reasons.<ref name="selvan" />
In the 1960s, Saroja Devi became a fashion icon among the South Indian women, who mimicked her saris, blouses, jewellery, hairstyles and mannerisms. In particular, her saris and jewellery from the Tamil movies ''Enga Veettu Pillai'' (1965) and ''Anbe Vaa'' (1966) were popularized widely in magazines.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2008/jul/01slide6.htm |title=Celebrating Saroja Devi: A style icon |author=Pavithra Srinivasan |work=Rediff.com |access-date=29 October 2015}}</ref> Her last film with MGR was ''Arasa Kattalai'' (1967), which also starred Jayalalithaa.
With her marriage in 1967 and the rise of younger heroines like K. R. Vijaya and Jayalalithaa producers stopped pairing her opposite MGR.
===Post-marriage career (1968-1997)=== After 1968, Saroja Devi's career in Tamil cinema gradually declined, and she became more active in Kannada movies.<ref name="rediff_pavithra_2008">{{cite web |url=http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2008/jul/01slide8.htm |title=Celebrating Saroja Devi: Her last years in the industry |author=Pavithra Srinivasan |work=Rediff.com |access-date=29 October 2015}}</ref>
She continued to paired with Sivaji Ganesan in ''En Thambi'' (1968), ''Anbalippu'' (1969), ''Anjal Petti 520'' (1969), ''Arunodhayam'' (1971), ''Thenum Paalum'' (1971), ''Paarambariyam'' (1993) and ''Once More'' (1997).
She also acted and paired with Gemini Ganesan in ''Panama Pasama'' (1968), ''Thamarai Nenjam'' (1968), ''Aindhu Laksham'' (1969), ''Thanga Malar'' (1969), ''Kula Vilakku'' (1969), ''Malathi'' (1970) and ''Kann Malar'' (1970) and ''Ponmana Selvan'' (1989).
With Ravichandran Saroja Devi acted in the successful films ''Odum Nadhi'' (1969), ''Snegithi'' (1970), ''Malathi'' (1970), and ''Pathu Matha Bandham'' (1974).
With R. Muthuraman, Saroja Devi starred in ''Arunodhayam'' (1971), ''Uyir'' (1971) and ''Pathu Matha Bandham'' (1974), which was her last Tamil film as a lead actor until 1985. [[File:State Award.jpg|thumb|Saroja Devi presenting a State award to noted writer Aryamba Pattabhi]] Saroja Devi continued to be among the highest-paid actresses in Kannada and Telugu films. She was cast opposite the leading actor Dr. Rajkumar in several Kannada films, including ''Mallammana Pavada'' (1969), ''Nyayave Devaru'' (1971), ''Sri Srinivasa Kalyana'' (1974), ''Babruvahana'' (1977) and ''Bhagyavantharu'' (1977). Her other successful films from this period include ''Thande Makkalu'' (1971), ''Papa Punya'' (1971), ''Gunavanthudu'' (1975), ''Katha Sangama'' (1976), ''Sri Renukadevi Mahathme'' (1977), with Chiranjeevi, then with Vishnuvardhan in ''Shani Prabhava'' (1977) and ''Rudranaga'' (1984).
In Telugu cinema, Saroja Devi was cast opposite N. T. Rama Rao in films like ''Bhagya Chakramu'' (1968), ''Uma Chandi Gowri Sankarula Katha'' (1968), ''Vijayam Manade'' (1970), ''Mayani Mamata'' (1970) and ''Daana Veera Soora Karna'' (1979).
In her long career Saroja Devi chiefly opted for romantic films only in the 1960s and later sentimental and socially relevant films right from the late 1960s to the 1980s. ''Sri Renukadevi Mahathme'', a Kannada film released in 1977 was Saroja Devi's 150th film in her career and by 1984, she had completed 161 films as the main lead heroine, without ever playing supporting roles.''Yarivanu'' (1984), in Kannada, was the 161st film, in which she played the main lead heroine.
Saroja Devi signed up for the Kannada film ''Ladies Hostel'' in 1985, but stopped shooting after her husband fell ill. He subsequently died in 1986, and she did not shoot or even meet non-family people for one year after his death. She resumed shooting only in 1987. ''Ladies Hostel'' proved a successful film, but Saroja Devi refused to sign up for any more films. She completed the eight films that she had accepted before 1986, and these were released during 1987–1990. These included ''Thaimel Aanai'' (1988) and ''Dharma Devan'' (1989).
After completing her pending projects, Saroja Devi took a break of about five years from films. She returned to acting on the insistence of film producers and her fans, but, contrary to her previous record, she no longer accepted romantic roles. She starred opposite Sivaji Ganesan in ''Parambariyam'' (1993) in a lead role as a matron, and then performed a few roles as a supporting actress. In Kannada films, her notable supporting performances included her roles in ''Anuraga Sangama'' (1995) and ''Agni IPS'' (1997). She and Sivaji Ganesan acted in the Tamil film ''Once More'' (1997), which also includes scenes from their 1963 film ''Iruvar Ullam''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2025/Jul/14/saroja-devi-taught-me-how-to-wear-makeup-and-say-my-lines-simran|title = Saroja Devi taught me how to wear makeup and say my lines: Simran}}</ref>
===Latest roles (1998-2020)===
In 1998 and 2005, Saroja Devi chaired film juries: the 45th National Film Awards and the 53rd National Film Awards jury.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/Film-awards-Saroja-Devi-to-head-jury/article15730138.ece |title=Film awards: Saroja Devi to head jury |newspaper=The Hindu |date=29 July 2006 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |title=45th National Film Festival |url=http://dff.nic.in/images/Documents/72_45thNfacatalogue.pdf |pages=viii}}</ref> She served as the vice-president of Kannada Chalanchitra Sangha, and as a member of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams's local advisory committee. She ran a successful business.<ref name="Aruna_2006">{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/journey-down-a-glorious-lane/article3218620.ece |title=Journey down a glorious lane |newspaper=The Hindu |author=Aruna Chandaraju |date=30 June 2006}}</ref> She also served as the Chairperson of the Karnataka Film Development Corporation,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/Saroja-Devi-Ramoji-Rao-among-recipients-of-A.P.-film-awards/article15583986.ece |title=Saroja Devi, Ramoji Rao among recipients of A.P. film awards |newspaper=The Hindu |date=7 December 2010 }}</ref> which had been set up as a private limited company by her and a few other film personalities in 1972.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zIZVCgAAQBAJ&pg=PT178 |title=Pursuit of Law and Order |author=A.P. Durai |publisher=Notion Press |year=2015 |isbn=9789352062157 |orig-date=1978}}</ref>
Saroja Devi was settled in Bengaluru, where she was involved in social work. She organized many donation camps in the name of her husband and her mother. She was also involved with charitable trusts, rehabilitation centres and health programmes.
Her latest film in Tamil was the film ''Aadhavan'' (2009), in which she played a judge's mother.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://movies.rediff.com/report/2009/oct/17/aadhavan-is-clean-fun.htm |title=Aadhavan is clean fun |work=Rediff.com |date=17 October 2009}}</ref>
Saroja Devi's last film, ''Natasaarvabhowma'', was released in 2019. Devi acted in around 200 films over seven decades,<ref name="Aruna_2006" /><ref name="ToI_greatest_2013">{{cite news |author=Taniya Talukdar |date=5 May 2013 |title=B Saroja Devi in the list of greatest Indian actresses ever |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/B-Saroja-Devi-in-the-list-of-greatest-Indianactresses-ever/articleshow/19895895.cms |newspaper=The Times of India}}</ref> and was known as "''Abhinaya Saraswathi''" (Saraswathi of expressions) in Kannada and "''Kannadathu Paingili''" (Kannada's Parrot) in Tamil.<ref name="rediff_2008_4" /><ref name="ToI_greatest_2013" /> She was known as the first female superstar of Kannada cinema,<ref>{{Cite news |last=M.V |first=Vivek |date=2025-07-14 |title=How B Saroja Devi became Kannada cinema's female superstar |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/b-saroja-devi-kannada-cinema-female-superstar-dr-rajkumar-kalyankumar-kannada-film-industry/article69811128.ece |access-date=2025-07-15 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> and was one of the most successful actresses in the history of Indian cinema.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Damodaran |first=Akhila |date=2016-01-20 |title=Meet the Heroes of Malleswaram |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/2016/jan/20/meet-the-heroes-of-malleswaram-871077.html |access-date=2024-12-11 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>
In 2020, she participated in the game show, part of the finale week episode ''Kodeeswari'', hosted by Radhika Sarathkumar.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/tamil/saroja-devi-to-take-the-hot-seat-this-week/articleshow/74083038.cms |title=Saroja Devi to take the hot seat in Kodeeswari|work=timesofindia |date=11 February 2020}}</ref>
==Personal life== On 1 March 1967, Saroja Devi married Sri Harsha, an engineer,<ref name="HT_Renuka_2008">{{cite news |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/the-sweet-bird-of-southern-cinema/story-Y7p6H1UiJWXM6NcxRsGbkI.html |title=The sweet bird of Southern cinema |author=Renuka Narayanan |newspaper=Hindustan Times |date=5 September 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://starofmysore.com/interview-with-b-saroja-devi-the-queen-of-tamil-cinema-1/ |title=Interview with B. Saroja Devi, the Queen of Tamil Cinema - 1 |date=22 April 2018}}</ref> who helped her overcome a financial crisis and income tax problems and taught her how to manage her finances.<ref name="Aruna_2006"/> He also supported Saroja Devi's acting career after they married. When she was asked in an interview why she did not stop acting after her mother's insistence in 1967, she said: "Dilip Kumar once said he has asked Saira Banu to not to stop acting profession. The story was mentioned by Rajesh Khanna to my husband Sri Harsha, not to stop me from acting."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dr. B Saroja Devi - A Model Actress - Saroja Devi known for her philanthropic gestures has donated a |url=http://models.indiafashionmodels.com/?p=print&recipe=83 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625091838/http://models.indiafashionmodels.com/?p=print&recipe=83 |archive-date=June 25, 2016 |access-date=6 June 2016 |website=models.indiafashionmodels.com}}</ref>
Saroja Devi adopted her niece, Bhuvaneshwari, who died young;<ref name="Aruna_2006" /> she sponsored the ''Bhuvaneshwari Award'' for literature in her memory.<ref>{{cite news |date=30 January 2008 |title=Saroja ducks romance poser |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/Saroja-ducks-romance-poser/articleshow/2741746.cms |newspaper=The Times of India}}</ref>
==Death== Saroja Devi, who suffered from an age-related illness, was found unconscious at her residence in Malleshwaram, Bengaluru, on 14 July 2025. She was rushed to hospital, but doctors confirmed that she had died. She was 87.<ref name="Veteran actor B Saroja Devi passes away at 87 due to age-related illness">{{cite news |last1= |first1= |title=Veteran actor B Saroja Devi passes away at 87 due to age-related illness |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/veteran-actor-b-saroja-devi-passes-away/article69809577.ece |access-date=14 July 2025 |work=The Hindu |date=14 July 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250714074251/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/veteran-actor-b-saroja-devi-passes-away/article69809577.ece |archive-date=14 July 2025 |language=en-IN}}</ref><ref name="B Saroja Devi, veteran star who ruled the screen as Abhinaya Saraswati, dies at 87">{{cite news |title=B Saroja Devi, veteran star who ruled the screen as Abhinaya Saraswati, dies at 87 |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/others/b-saroja-devi-veteran-star-who-ruled-the-screen-as-abhinaya-saraswati-dies-at-87-101752471127578.html |access-date=14 July 2025 |publisher=Hindustan Times |date=14 July 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250714074251/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/others/b-saroja-devi-veteran-star-who-ruled-the-screen-as-abhinaya-saraswati-dies-at-87-101752471127578.html |archive-date=14 July 2025 |language=en-us}}</ref><ref name="Veteran actor B Saroja Devi, fondly called ‘Abhinaya Saraswathi’, passes away at 87">{{cite news |title=Veteran actor B Saroja Devi, fondly called 'Abhinaya Saraswathi', passes away at 87 |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/veteran-actor-b-saroja-devi-passes-away-at-87-10125018/ |access-date=14 July 2025 |publisher=The Indian Express |date=14 July 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250714074655/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/veteran-actor-b-saroja-devi-passes-away-at-87-10125018/ |archive-date=14 July 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Ramachandran |first1=Naman |title=B. Saroja Devi, Icon of South Indian Cinema, Dies at 87 |url=https://variety.com/2025/film/obituaries-people-news/b-saroja-devi-dead-south-indian-cinema-1236459414/ |website=Variety |access-date=15 July 2025 |date=14 July 2025}}</ref>
==Awards and honours== [[File:The President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil presenting the Life Time Achievement Award to the famous film actress Smt. Saroja Devi, at the 54th National Film Awards function, in New Delhi on September 02, 2008.jpg|thumb|250px|Saroja Devi receiving the Life Time Achievement from the then President of India, Pratibha Patil in 2008]] '''National awards'''
* 2008 – Lifetime Achievement Award by the Government of India, as a part of the celebrations of India's 60th independence day.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2008/jul/01slide1.htm |title=Celebrating Saroja Devi |author=Pavithra Srinivasan |work=Rediff.com |access-date=29 October 2015}}</ref> * 1992 – Padma Bhushan<ref name="Padma Awards" /> * 1969 – Padma Shri<ref name="Padma Awards">{{cite web |url=http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf |title=Padma Awards |publisher=Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India |year=2015 |access-date=21 July 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015193758/http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf |archive-date=15 October 2015}}</ref>
'''State awards''' * 2009 – Kalaimamani Lifetime achievement award by the Government of Tamil Nadu * 2009 – Dr. Rajkumar Lifetime Achievement Award by the Government of Karnataka * 2009 – NTR National Award from Government of Andhra Pradesh * 2001 – NTR National Award from Andhra Pradesh Government * 1993 – Tamil Nadu Government's MGR Award * 1988 – Karnataka Government's Rajyothsava award * 1980 – ''Abhinandana-Kanchana Mala'' award by Karnataka State * 1969 – Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress for ''Kula Vilakku'' * 1965 – Abhinya Saraswathy honour by Karnataka
'''Other awards''' * 2009 – Natya Kaladhar Award— Tamil cinema, by Bharat Kalachar Chennai * 2007 – NTR award for remarkable achievement by Karnataka Telugu Academy * 2007 – Rotary Sivaji Award by the Charitable Trust and Rotary Club of Chennai * 2006 – Honorary Doctorate from Bangalore University * 2006 – Vijay Award for Contribution to Tamil Cinema * 2003 – Dinakaran award for All-round Achievement * 1997 – Lifetime achievement awards by Cinema Express in Chennai * 1994 – Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South
==Legacy== In 2010, ''Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan'' instituted "Padma Bhushan B. Saroja Devi National Award", a lifetime achievement award to honour artists in the field of performing arts, annually. The recipients of the award including K. J. Yesudas, Vyjayantimala, Anjali Devi, Ambareesh, Jayanthi and others.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uniindia.com/multi-lingual-actress-jayanti-wins-b-saroja-devi-national-award/states/news/834469.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011114755/http://www.uniindia.com/multi-lingual-actress-jayanti-wins-b-saroja-devi-national-award/states/news/834469.html |archive-date=11 October 2020 |title=Multi-lingual actress Jayanti wins B Saroja Devi National Award}}</ref>
In the 2021 Hindi-Tamil bilingual film ''Thalaivii'', actress Regina Cassandra portrayed B. Saroja Devi.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hungama |first=Bollywood |title=Thalaivii Movie Review |website=Bollywood Hungama |date=10 September 2021 |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/thalaivi/critic-review/thalaivi-movie-review/kangana-ranaut-starrer-thalaivii-is-a-well-made-and-well-written-political-saga-that-is-embellished-with-yet-another-award-winning-performance-by-kangana-ranaut/ |access-date=22 September 2021 |language=en |archive-date=25 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925222445/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/thalaivi/critic-review/thalaivi-movie-review/kangana-ranaut-starrer-thalaivii-is-a-well-made-and-well-written-political-saga-that-is-embellished-with-yet-another-award-winning-performance-by-kangana-ranaut/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
==Filmography== {{Main|B. Saroja Devi filmography}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{IMDb name|0044600}}
{{NTR National Award}}{{Padma Shri Award Recipients in Art}} {{PadmaBhushanAwardRecipients 1990–99}} {{FilmfareLifetimeAchievementAwardSouth}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Devi, B. Saroja}} Category:1938 births Category:2025 deaths Category:Indian film actresses Category:Actresses in Kannada cinema Category:Recipients of the Padma Bhushan in arts Category:Recipients of the Padma Shri in arts Category:Actresses from Bengaluru Category:Actresses in Hindi cinema Category:Kannada actresses Category:Actresses in Telugu cinema Category:Actresses in Tamil cinema Category:Recipients of the Kalaimamani Award Category:20th-century Indian actresses Category:21st-century Indian actresses