B. Saroja Devi Biography, Know About Her Early Life, Age, Career and Legacy

Bangalore Saroja Devi was one of India’s most beloved and successful film actresses. She ruled the film industry for nearly seven decades, appearing in about 200 films across Tamil, Kannada, Telugu and Hindi languages. Known for her beauty, expressions and grace, she earned titles like ”Abhinaya Saraswathi” (Goddess of Acting) in Kannada and ”Kannadathu Paingili” (Kannada’s Parrot) in Tamil.

B. Saroja Devi – Early life and Background

• Bon: 7 January 1938 in Bangalore, Mysore State (now Bengaluru, Karnataka)
• Family: Vokkaliga community; her father Bhairappa was a police officer and mother Rudramma was a homemaker.
• Childhood: Encouraged by her father to learn dance and later acting. Her mother had strict rules about her on-screen dress, which Saroja Devi followed throughout her career.

First Step in Cinema

Saroja Devi was first noticed at the age of 13 while singing at a function. Though she turned down the initial film offer, she later entered films with the Kannada movie Mahakavi Kalidasa (1955), which became a big success.

Rise to Stardom

Her breakthrough in Tamil cinema came with M.G. Ramachandran’s (MGR) Nadodi Mannan (1958). She was soon cast in Hindi films too, debuting with Paigham (1959) opposite Dilip Kumar.

Over the years, she acted with top stars like:

• MGR (26 films together)
• Sivaji Ganesan (22 films)
• Gemini Ganesan (17 films)
• N.T. Rama Rao in Telugu cinema
• Rajkumar in Kannada cinema

Multi-Lingual Success

Saroja Devi was one of the few actresses to work across all four major South Indian languages and Hindi during the 1950s and 60s. She was crowned ”Chaturbhaasha Taare” (Star of Four Languages) in 1962.

Some of her iconic films include:

• Palum Pazhamum, Enga Veettu Pillai, Anbe Vaa (Tamil)
• Amarashilpi Jakanachari, Kittooru Rani Chennamma, Mallammana Pavada (Kannada)
• Jagadeka Veeruni Katha, Seetarama Kalyanam, Daana Veera Soora Karna (Telugu)
• Paigham, Sasural, Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya (Hindi)

Fashion and Cultural Icon

In the 1960s, Saroja Devi became a style inspiration for South Indian women. Her saris, blouses, hairstyles and jewellery from films like Enga Veettu Pillai and Anbe Vaa were widely copied.

Life After Marriage

She married Sri Harsha, an engineer, in 1967. He supported her acting career and helped her during a financial crisis. Despite her marriage, she continued acting, though her Tamil film appearances reduced due to the arrival of newer heroines.

She continued to dominate Kannada and Telugu cinema in lead roles into the 1980s.

Later Years and Retirement

After her husband’s death in 1986, she briefly stepped away from films. She returned in the late 1980s, but no longer player romantic roles.

Her later works include:

• Once More (1997) with Sivaji Ganesan
• Anuraga Sangama (1995) and Agni IPS (1997) in Kannada
• Aadhavan (2009) –  her last major Tamil film
• Natasaarvabhowma (2019) – her final film

Saroja Devi – Work Beyond Acting

Saroja Devi was actively involved in:

• Social service and charity
• Chairing National Film Award juries in 1998 and 2005
• Vice-president of Kannada Chalanchitra Sangha
• Chairperson of Karnataka Film Development Corporation

She also ran a business and sponsored the Bhuvaneshwari Literacy Award in memory of her adopted daughter.

Personal Life of Saroja Devi

• Husband: Sri Harsha (d. 1986)
• Daughter: Bhuvaneshwari (adopted niece; died young)
• Grandchildren: Indira and Gautam

Saroja Devi – Awards and Honors

National Awards

• Padma Shri (1969)
• Padma Bhushan (1992)
• Lifetime Achievement (2008) – Government of India

State Awards

• Kalaimamani (2009) – Tamil Nadu
• Dr. Rajkumar Award (2009) – Karnataka
• NTR National Awards (2001 & 2009) – Andhra Pradesh
• Tamil Nadu State Film Award (1969)

Other Recognitions

• Filmfare Lifetime Achievement – South (1994)
• Honorary Doctorate – Bangalore University (2006)
• Prajavani Cine Sammana Lifetime Award (2024)

Legacy of B. Saroja Devi

In 2010, the ”Padma Bhushan B. Saroja Devi National Award’‘ was created to honor artists in performing arts. Recipients include K.J. Yesudas, Vyjayantimala and Ambareesh.

She was portrayed by Regina Cassandra in the 2021 biographical film Thalaivii.

Death of Saroja Devi

B. Saroja Devi passed away on 14 July 2025, leaving behind a glorious legacy that will inspire generations of actors and film lovers.