B. Saroja Devi

B. Saroja Devi, born on January 7, 1938, was a luminary in Indian cinema, gracing the screens of Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi films for over seven decades. With a remarkable portfolio of two hundred films, she is celebrated as one of the most successful actresses in the history of Indian cinema, earning the title of the first lady superstar of Kannada cinema.

Her journey began at the tender age of seventeen with the Kannada film Mahakavi Kalidasa in 1955. Saroja Devi made her mark in Telugu cinema with Panduranga Mahatyam in 1957 and quickly rose to prominence in Tamil cinema with the blockbuster Nadodi Mannan in 1958. Even after her marriage in 1967, she remained a sought-after actress, continuing to captivate audiences in Tamil films until 1974 and in Telugu and Kannada films until the 1980s.

Throughout her illustrious career, Saroja Devi received numerous accolades, including the Padma Sri in 1969 and the Padma Bhushan in 1992, both prestigious civilian honors from the Government of India. She was also honored with an honorary doctorate from Bangalore University and the Kalaimamani award from Tamil Nadu. Her contributions to cinema were further recognized with the Dr. Rajkumar Award for Lifetime Achievement and the NTR National Award.

Posthumously, Saroja Devi was awarded the Karnataka Ratna, the highest civilian honor in the state, and in 2025, the Government of Karnataka announced the establishment of the 'Abhinaya Saraswathi B. Saroja Devi Lifetime Achievement Award' in her honor, solidifying her legacy as a true icon of Indian cinema.