Explorer

Veteran Actor Saroja Devi To Be Given State Honours At Final Rites: Karnataka CM

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah announced state honors for the late actress B. Saroja Devi, praising her immense contributions to Kannada and other film industries.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced that veteran Indian actress B. Saroja Devi will be accorded state honours during her final rites as a mark of respect from the government.

Speaking to reporters after paying his last respects to the actress in Bengaluru on Tuesday, CM Siddaramaiah said that he has directed officials to make the necessary arrangements.

Recalling his meetings with her, CM Siddaramaiah said he had met Saroja Devi many times and that she always spoke to everyone with warmth and affection. “She had a towering personality. I have watched many of her films. She acted in acclaimed movies with Kannada cinema legend Dr. Rajkumar, including 'Mallammana Pavada', 'Kittur Rani Channamma', 'Bhagyavantaru', 'Babruvaahana', and 'Nyayave Devaru',” he said.

The demise of Saroja Devi has shocked the entire film industry. She entered the film world at a young age and was active for nearly seven decades. She was known as "Abhinava Saraswati" early in her career, he added.

"She was a great actress who earned acclaim not only in Kannada cinema but also in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi films. She acted alongside legendary actors such as Dilip Kumar, Rajendra Kumar, MGR, NTR, Nageswara Rao, and Sivaji Ganesan,” Siddaramaiah said.

“She breathed life into every character she portrayed and led a disciplined personal life. Her contribution to the Kannada film industry is immense. The industry has suffered a great loss with her passing. May her soul rest in peace, and I pray that God gives her family the strength to bear this loss,” he added.

The final rites of Saroja Devi will be held at her native village, Dashavara, near Channapatna town, close to Bengaluru. Her mortal remains will be carried in an open vehicle, allowing people to pay their last respects in Ramanagara and Channapatna towns, her son Gowtham said.

She will be laid to rest as per the traditions of the Vokkaliga community, he added.

Veteran South Indian actress B. Saroja Devi, a Padma awardee, who acted in more than 200 films in Kannada, Tamil, Hindi and Telugu movies, passed away at her residence in Bengaluru on Monday.

The 87-year-old actress was known as "Abhinaya Saraswati". Saroja Devi received the Padma Shri in 1967 and Padma Bhushan in 1992.

(This report has been published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. Apart from the headline, no editing has been done in the copy by ABP Live.)

About the author ABP Live Entertainment

ABP Live Entertainment brings you the latest from the world of films, OTT, television and celebrity culture, tracking box office numbers, streaming trends, star buzz and pop culture moments across India and beyond, with crisp, credible reporting that keeps readers plugged into everything that’s trending, talking, and taking over screens.

Read More

Top Headlines

Dhruv Rathee Slams ‘Dhurandhar 2’ As ‘Expensive Advertisement’, Calls Film Political ‘Gaslighting’
Dhruv Rathee Slams ‘Dhurandhar 2’ As ‘Expensive Advertisement’, Calls Film Political ‘Gaslighting’
Happy Patel OTT Release: When & Where To Watch Vir Das Film Marking Imran Khan’s Return To Silver Screen
Happy Patel OTT Release: When & Where To Watch Vir Das Film Marking Imran Khan’s Return To Silver Screen
Is Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2 Going Off Air? Makers Respond
Is Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2 Going Off Air? Makers Respond
Project Hail Mary Gets 60 IMAX Shows After Fans’ Demand; Bookings Open In Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru
Project Hail Mary Gets 60 IMAX Shows After Fans’ Demand; Bookings Open In Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru

Videos

Breaking News: Nitish Kumar Must Resign from Bihar Legislative Council by March 30 to Join Rajya Sabha
Tensions Escalate: Iran Prepares Strikes as US-Israel Hit Tehran with Bunker-Buster Bombs
Breaking: Trump Faces Dilemma with Iran: Military Operation, Not War, Amid Midterm Politics
Ram Navami 2026: Surya Tilak at Ayodhya’s Ram Temple Marks Divine Moment for Devotees
BREAKING: Ram Navami 2026: Surya Tilak at Ayodhya’s Ram Temple Captivates Devotees

Photo Gallery

25°C
New Delhi
Rain: 100mm
Humidity: 97%
Wind: WNW 47km/h
See Today's Weather
powered by
Accu Weather
Embed widget