B. Saroja Devi is one of the most celebrated actresses in Indian cinema specially in kollywood. She has ruled the South Indian film industry for decades and remains a respected icon to this day is not a doubt. Known for her beauty, elegance, and powerful screen presence, she has left a lasting impact in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi films. She Lived Like a Legend – RIP Saroja Devi
Let’s explore the top five interesting facts about this legendary actress:
Acted in Over 200 Films Across 4 Languages
Legend Saroja Devi has acted in more than 200 films during her career. What makes this even more impressive is that she has worked in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi languages. She gained popularity across South India and even in Bollywood, becoming one of the few actresses to achieve pan-Indian fame during the 1960s and 1970s. Which is unimaginable in those days. Literally She lived like a legend – RIP Saroja Devi.
Her ability to speak multiple languages fluently helped her connect with different regional audiences. She became a beloved actress in every industry she worked in.
Abinaya Saraswathi
Saroja Devi was given the title “Abinaya Saraswathi” by famous Tamil poet Kannadasan. This title means “Goddess of Acting.” Her expressive face and graceful body language impressed both critics and fans alike in those days.
She was often praised for how naturally she could portray a wide range of emotions—romance, sadness, happiness, or anger. This made her a favorite artist of directors and screenwriters across decades.
Shared Screen with Top Heroes of South India
Saroja Devi had the chance to work with almost all the leading heroes of her era. She acted with M.G. Ramachandran (MGR), Sivaji Ganesan, N. T. Rama Rao, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Rajkumar, and many other leading actors.
Her pairing with MGR was especially famous among fans. The duo appeared together in over 25 films, many of which were box office hits. Their chemistry on-screen was loved by millions.
Highest-Paid Actress in the 1960s
During her peak, Saroja Devi was the highest-paid actress in South India. Producers used to wait for months to get her call sheet. She brought box office success with her name alone is not a doubt. Her films often ran for 100 days or more, which was a big achievement in those days.
She was also among the few actresses who could draw crowds in both urban and rural areas, which made her even more valuable in the film industry and made her the high paid actress.
Prestigious National Awards
Saroja Devi has received many awards and honors for her contribution to Indian cinema. She was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1992 by the Government of India. This is the third-highest civilian award in the country.
In addition to this, she has received several lifetime achievement awards, including honors from film industries in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka. These awards show the respect and admiration she continues to enjoy even today.
