Early Life
Born in Bangalore in 1938, B. Saroja Devi grew up in a family from Channapatna. Her father, Bhairappa, was a police officer who encouraged her to learn dance and supported her early artistic training. She initially had no plans to enter films and wanted to continue her education and become a teacher.
Entering Cinema
Saroja Devi was first noticed as a young girl while singing at a function. Although she initially declined a film offer, she eventually entered Kannada cinema and had her major breakthrough with Mahakavi Kalidasa in 1955. She was only 17 at the time.
Rise to Stardom
Her success quickly spread across South Indian cinema. Nadodi Mannan (1958), opposite M. G. Ramachandran, established her as a major star in Tamil cinema. She went on to work in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu and Hindi films, becoming one of the few actresses of her generation to achieve popularity across four languages.
A Four-Language Star
Her popularity across Kannada, Tamil, Telugu and Hindi earned her the title “Chaturbhaasha Taare” in 1962. She worked with leading actors including MGR, Sivaji Ganesan, Gemini Ganesan, N. T. Rama Rao and several major Hindi stars.
The Woman Behind the Star
Despite becoming a major film personality, Saroja Devi had initially been reluctant to act. Her early interviews reveal someone who was more interested in studying and becoming a teacher than becoming a celebrity. Her entry into cinema was largely shaped by her family and the opportunities that followed her early performances.
Fashion Icon
During the 1960s, Saroja Devi became more than a film star—she became a fashion influence. Women across South India copied her saris, blouses, jewellery, hairstyles and mannerisms. Her looks from films such as Enga Veettu Pillai and Anbe Vaa were widely reproduced in magazines.
Marriage and Continuing Her Career
Saroja Devi married engineer Sri Harsha in 1967. Unlike the expectation that marriage might end an actress's career, she continued working for decades. Her husband supported her acting career and also helped her manage financial difficulties.
A Changing Career
From the late 1960s onward, she increasingly worked in Kannada cinema and gradually moved away from the romantic heroine roles that had defined her earlier career. By 1984, she had completed 161 films as a lead heroine without having played supporting roles.
Later Life
After her husband's death in 1986, Saroja Devi took a break from cinema. When she eventually returned, she chose different kinds of roles, including mature and supporting characters. She later served on National Film Award juries, held positions in film organisations and became involved in social work and charitable activities in Bengaluru.
Legacy
Over a career spanning seven decades, Saroja Devi acted in around 200 films. She became known as “Abhinaya Saraswathi” in Kannada and “Kannadathu Paingili” in Tamil, and is regarded as the first female superstar of Kannada cinema. Her honours included the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South and several state and national awards.
Beyond Cinema
Her legacy extended beyond acting. She was involved in social work, organised donation camps and supported charitable trusts, rehabilitation centres and health programmes. A national lifetime achievement award was later instituted in her name to honour artists in the performing arts.
Sources and References
https://tapen.substack.com/p/an-interview-with-v-saroja-devi
Saroja Devi
