Padma Bhushan-NTR National Award winner Saroja Devi passes away at 87
Padma Bhushan-NTR National Award winner Saroja Devi passes away at 87
Kollywood’s legendary actress Saroja Devi winner of Padma Bhushan to NTR National Award passes away at 87 due to age-related ailments at her Bengaluru’s Malleswaram residence on Monday 14 July 2025.
B Saroja Devi is referred to as Kannada cinema’s first female superstar,
Film industry sources reveal that “Kannadathu Paingili’ (Kannada’s parrot) was the affectionate Tamil name for her.
The actress made her acting debut in the 1955 Kannada film Mahakavi Kalidasa at the age of 17. The actor’s performance in her first movie won for her a National Award.
In 2008, she was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Government of India as part of the celebrations of India’s 60th Independence Day. She was also conferred with the highest civilian award awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1992 and the Padma Shri in 1969.
She was also honoured with the Kalaimamani Lifetime Achievement Award by the Government of Tamil Nadu in 2009
Dr Rajkumar Lifetime Achievement Award by the Government of Karnataka (2009)
NTR National Award from the Government of Andhra Pradesh for the second time, for the year 2009
NTR National Award from the Andhra Pradesh Government for the year 2001
Tamil Nadu Government’s MGR Award (1993)
Karnataka Government’s Rajyotsava award (1988)
Abhinandana-Kanchana Mala award by Karnataka State (1980)
Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress for Kula Vilakku (1969)
Abhinya Saraswathy honoured by Karnataka (1965)
Lifetime Achievement award by Prajavani Cine Sammana (2024)
Natya Kaladhar Award— Tamil cinema, by Bharat Kalachar, Chennai (2009)
NTR award for remarkable achievement by Karnataka Telugu Academy (2007)
Rotary Sivaji Award by the Charitable Trust and Rotary Club of Chennai (2007)
Honorary Doctorate from Bangalore University (2006)
Vijay Award for Contribution to Tamil Cinema (2006)
Dinakaran Award for All-round Achievement (2003)
Lifetime Achievement Awards by Cinema Express in Chennai (1997)
Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South (1994)
Sarojadevi has acted in Kannada films like Amarashilpi Jakanchari, Kathasagara, Babruvahana, Bhagyavantaru, Ashadhbhuti, Sriramupoja, Kacha Devayani, Ratnagiri Rahasya, Kokilavani, Schoolmaster, Pancharatna and more.
Sarojadevi costarred with Gemini Ganesan, Sivaji Ganesan, and MG Ramachandran in several popular Tamil films.
She costarred in Hindi films alongside Sunil Dutt, Shammi Kapoor, Rajendra Kumar, and Dilip Kumar.
Notably Saroja Devi is the first female superstar of Kannada cinema and legendary actress.
News Edit KV Raman
