Final Goodbyes to South Cinema's Beloved Doyenne

Very few actors leave behind a legacy that not just stands the test of time, but becomes the benchmark for generations to follow.

- TEAM CE

One such doyenne of Indian cinema was Saroja Devi, who passed away in the early hours of Monday at the age of 87. With a prolific career in Kannada, Tamil, and Telugu, and a brief but glittering career in Hindi, Saroja Devi has one of the most enviable filmographies in each of these languages, having starred alongside the biggest names in these industries and registering successes with immense consistency. Known for her expressive demeanor and impeccable song acting, Saroja Devi not just left an impact with her performances, but also with her sartorial choices that always conjured up trends among an impressionable and aspirational audience.

As with legends of her time, Saroja Devi was someone who knew how to bow out in style, and the legendary actor dealt with her onscreen and offscreen life on her own terms, and took a break from acting in the 90s to briefly make a handful of films since then in impactful cameos, and was last seen in Puneeth Rajkumar's Natasaarvabhowma (2019).

Known for her welcoming behavior, Saroja Devi was a worthy role model, a healthy competitor, a benevolent mentor, a talented actor who stayed true to her times, and a legend who knew how to bow out in style. Here are a few people who basked in the glow of her warmth, reminiscing on what it meant to be Saroja Devi, and what she meant to generations of actors who followed her illustrious footsteps.