KATHMANDU, July 14: Veteran actor B Saroja Devi, known for her extensive work in regional cinema, passed away on Monday. She was 87.
The actor, who breathed her last in Bengaluru, was reported to have been suffering from age-related illness, as reported by The Hindu. Hailed as the first superstar of Kannada cinema, Saroja Devi debuted with the 1955 movie Mahakavi Kalidasa. She went on to star in classics such as School Master (1958), Kittur Chennamma (1961), Amarashilpi Jakanachari (1963), Mallammana Pavada (1968) and more.
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Legendary actor M.G. Ramachandran cast her in Nadodi Mannan, following which she went on to become a popular name in the Tamil film industry. Her well-known film with the legendary Sivaji Ganesan includes Bhaaga Pirvinai (1959).
With MGR, Saroja Devi starred in more than 20 movies. Palum Pazhamum, Vazhkai Vazhvatharke (1964), Aalayamani (1962), Periya Idathu Penn (1963), Puthiya Paravai (1964), Panakkara Kudumbam (1964), Enga Veetu Pillai (1965) and Anbe Vaa (1966) are her other notable works in Tamil cinema.
Carving a popular career in Telugu cinema, she worked with stalwart NT Rama Rao in Seetarama Kalyanam (1961), Jagadeka Veeruni Katha (1961) and Daagudu Moothalu (1964). She was conferred with the Padma Shri in 1969 and Padma Bhushan in 1992. In 2008, she was given the 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award by the Government of India.
Saroja Devi shared screen space with Hindi stars such as Dilip Kumar (Paigham, 1959), Rajendra Kumar (Sasural, 1961) and Sunil Dutt (Beti Bete, 1964).
