Veteran Indian actress B. Saroja Devi, an iconic figure in Indian cinema, was laid to rest with full state honours on Tuesday in her native village of Dashavara, located in Bengaluru South district. The 87-year-old legend passed away on July 14 at her residence in Malleswaram, Bengaluru, due to age-related health issues, according to PTI.

 

Her funeral was held in accordance with Vokkaliga customs and witnessed a large turnout of mourners — from political leaders and film industry veterans to devoted fans. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar led the tributes, joined by personalities like actress Jayamala, producer Rockline Venkatesh, Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce President M. Narasimhalu, and producer Basant Kumar Patil.

 

Five Notable Facts About B. Saroja Devi:

 

1. Born on January 7, 1938, in Bengaluru, she earned immense love and recognition for her elegance, poise, and strong on-screen persona, becoming a prominent name in Indian cinema.

 

2. She acted in over 180 films across Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi, and played key roles in iconic Kannada movies such as *Bhagyavantharu* and *Babruvahana*, alongside the legendary Dr. Rajkumar.

 

3. She received numerous accolades, including the Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri, and the Dr. Rajkumar Lifetime Achievement Award.

 

4. Known for memorable performances in films like *Sasural*, *Kittur Rani Chennamma*, and *Enga Veettu Pillai*, she built a reputation for portraying powerful and dignified women in historical and social dramas.

 

5. Her film career began at 17 with the 1955 Kannada movie *Mahakavi Kalidasa*, and she quickly rose to fame, becoming Kannada cinema’s first female superstar.

 

Tributes poured in from across the country following her demise, including messages from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and prominent members of the film industry, who remembered her remarkable legacy and impact on Indian cinema.