How B Saroja Devi became Kannada cinema’s female superstar

B Saroja Devi, who handed away at 87 on Monday (July 14, 2025), is a superb instance of a self-made star. Debuting in Kannada with Mahakavi Kalidasa (1955), she broke the glass ceiling to grow to be a pan-India phenomenon and got here to be hailed as the primary feminine famous person of Kannada cinema.

In an trade dominated by male stars, Saroja Devi carved a distinct segment for herself. Be it with Dr Rajkumar in Kannada, MG Ramachandran and Sivaji Ganesan in Tamil, or N.T. Rama Rao in Telugu, Saroja Devi maintained a robust display screen presence reverse a number of the largest heroes of Indian cinema.

Nationwide Award-winning actor Tara calls her a guiding mild in her profession. “She would all the time inform me to be impartial as a lady. She would encourage a number of actors like me to struggle for our rights within the trade,” remembers Tara, a degree reiterated by a number of ladies actors of the trade.

“She constructed a definite legacy of her personal which stays everlasting,” opines writer and movie author Muralidhara Khajane. Saroja Devi impressed her contemporaries and paved the way in which for her successors. “She ought to get the credit score for spreading the essence of Kannada cinema throughout international locations,” says Mr. Khajane.

Her illustrious profession was fuelled by dedication, notes writer and journalist Sreedhara Murthy. Her debut, Mahakavi Kalidasa, is in regards to the legends of the poet Kalidasa. There are a number of slokas within the film. Saroja Devi has recited them so convincingly. To try this in your first movie requires nice arduous work.”

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Saroja Devi entered the movie trade with no formal coaching in appearing. But, she was a gifted artiste. An excellent Bharatanatyam dancer and a stage singer, Saroja Devi might add life to songs on the large display screen. “She is so swish within the tune ‘Nillu Nee Neelaveni’ in Amarashilpi Jakanachari (1964),” observes Murthy. The B S Ranga directorial, starring Kalyankumar, was Kannada’s first color function, and Saroja Devi delivered a standout efficiency as Manjari.

“In Rathnagiri Rahasya, she makes a brief look in ‘Yavvanave Ee Yavvanave’, and but, her presence lingers on all through the film,” recollects Murthy. Following her prime interval, she reworked right into a reliable character actor. Bhagyavantharu, through which she performed the supportive spouse to Dr Rajkumar’s character, is her most memorable work within the second stage of her profession.

“She would star in mythological and historic movies in Telugu starring N T Rama Rao and do social dramas with MGR and Sivaji Ganesan in Tamil. She had a royal face to swimsuit the interval drama style, and her expressive appearing helped her convincingly painting relatable characters,” notes movie historian Ok Puttaswamy. Saroja Devi would dub her strains in all languages.

Actor-politician Sumalatha Ambareesh says she is going to miss the affectionate perspective of Saroja Devi. “She was an enormous star, however she by no means carried the air of being common. She was inspirational for her real character,” says Sumalatha.