‘Saroja Devi's performances left an indelible mark across generations': PM Modi pays tribute to ‘Abhinaya Saraswathi'
PM Modi pays tribute to B Saroja Devi
PM Modi talked about Saroja Devi's work in films that spanned different languages and covered different themes. "Saddened by the passing of the noted film personality, B Saroja Devi Ji. She will be remembered as an exemplary icon of Indian cinema and culture," PM Modi wrote on X.
"Her diverse performances left an indelible mark across generations. Her works, spanning different languages and covering diverse themes, highlighted her versatile nature. My condolences to her family and admirers. Om Shanti", he added.
About Saroja Devi's career
Known for her versatility and range, she acted in over 200 films across Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, and Sinhalese languages. Saroja Devi began her acting career at the age of 17 with the Kannada film Mahakavi Kalidasa in 1955. She quickly rose to fame with her performances in various languages, starring alongside legendary actors like MG Ramachandran, Sivaji Ganesan, and NT Rama Rao.
More about her work across different film industries
She made her Telugu film debut with Pandurang Mahathyam (1957) and acted in several successful films until the late 1970s. The Tamil film Nadodi Mannan (1958) established her as one of the top actors in Tamil cinema.
After her marriage in 1967, she remained the second most sought-after female actor in Tamil films until 1974. She continued to be a top female actor in Telugu and Kannada cinema from 1958 to 1980. She also acted in Hindi films, starting with Paigham (1959) until the mid-1960s. She acted in 161 consecutive films as the female lead between 1955 and 1984.
Saroja Devi honours
Saroja Devi was awarded the Padma Shri in 1969 and the Padma Bhushan in 1992. She also received an honorary doctorate from Bangalore University and the Kalaimamani Award of Tamil Nadu. She received the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008.
with ANI inputs
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
41 minutes ago
- News18
'Mujhe Daant Padi': Amitabh Bachchan Scolded Rajiv Rai For Making Kajol The Killer In Gupt
Director Rajiv Rai recalls Amitabh Bachchan scolding him for making Kajol the killer in Gupt. Director Rajiv Rai's 1997 thriller Gupt left a generation stunned with its shocking twist — Kajol, the film's beloved heroine, was revealed to be the murderer. The bold move to cast a female lead as the villain was considered groundbreaking in Hindi cinema at the time. But not everyone was on board with this twist — including none other than Amitabh Bachchan, who personally questioned Rai's decision ahead of the film's release. In a recent interview on the Ravi Buleiy Official YouTube channel, Rajiv Rai shared a fascinating anecdote about a trial screening of Gupt held in Chennai. Amitabh Bachchan had attended the show and called Rai the very next day. 'He said, 'Rajiv, are you convinced with what you have done in this film? You have made Kajol the killer, are you sure? How can you be so sure?' So in one way, as a senior, he scolded me," Rai said. 'Mere ko daant padi. He is a senior, he can obviously scold me." Rajiv went on to explain that despite Bachchan's doubts, he stood firm in his creative vision, 'He questioned me, 'How are you so confident that this will work?' I told him, 'Sir, I don't have an answer for your questions. It is Wednesday already, please wait for 2 days, you will get your answer.'" As history would have it, Gupt opened to critical and commercial success, and Kajol's performance earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Villain, becoming the first actress to win in that category. Rajiv Rai also recalled his early professional ties to Amitabh Bachchan, having worked as an assistant director on classic films like Trishul and Kaala Patthar, both of which starred the megastar. He revealed that during a challenging phase in Bachchan's career — between 1992 and 1994 — he developed a script with Anees Bazmee specifically for the legendary actor. Despite Rai's high hopes, Bachchan declined the project, 'He said that the phase that I am going through right now, I don't want to do any films. He was not going through a good phase then," Rai said. 'He was confused, and in that confusion, he said no. He is not a confused man but his circumstances were such." The rejection left Rai heartbroken, 'I was like, 'I worked so hard, I was angry with my destiny, not with Amitabh Bachchan. I thought if destiny does not want me to work with Amit ji, I will work with someone new, so I made Mohra with Suniel Shetty." That decision turned out to be career-defining. Mohra, released in 1994, was a major hit, and along with Gupt, cemented Rai's legacy as one of the most daring and successful directors of 1990s Bollywood. First Published: July 26, 2025, 21:00 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
Who was Ziad Rahbani? All about his life, career as tributes pour in for Lebanese composer
Ziad Rahbani, one of Lebanon's most influential composers, playwrights, and cultural voices, passed away at the age of 69. The hospital in Beirut where he was being treated confirmed that he died of a heart attack on Saturday, July 26. The eldest son of legendary Lebanese singer Fairuz and renowned musician Assi Rahbani, Ziad was a creative force whose works reshaped Lebanon's musical and theatrical landscape, especially during the country's civil war era, reported Khaleej Times. Lebanese Minister of Culture Dr Ghassan Salame, in a statement, revealed that Rahbani had recently begun to reject medical treatment for his deteriorating health. Salame, in his message on X (formerly Twitter), expressed deep sorrow over his death and wrote, 'We dreaded this day… Ziad no longer had the ability to imagine the treatment and the surgeries it would require.' Lebanese President Joseph Aoun hailed him as a 'defiant voice against injustice' and a 'true mirror for the oppressed'. Fans across Lebanon and the Arab world also mourned his passing with an X user writing that Rahbani transformed Lebanese culture, shaped their thinking, politics, and humor. Another called him 'light during hard times'. Rahbani's death marked the end of an era but his music and words will continue to resonate for generations. Born on January 1, 1956, in Antelias, Lebanon, Ziad was immersed in music from a young age. According to Khaleej Times, with encouragement from his father Assi Rahbani, Ziad began composing music when he was a teen. At 17, he wrote Sa'alouni El Nass ("People Asked Me") for his mother Fayrouz: a song which has since become a classic across the Arab world. Rahbani's talent extended far beyond composition though. His debut play Sahriyyeh (An Evening Gathering) marked the beginning of his prolific career in theater. Through his works like Nazl Al-Sourour, Bema Inno, and A Long American Film, he boldly addressed Lebanon's political and social struggles with biting wit and satire. Rahbani's symphonies were distinguished by intervention and scathing critique. With this grinding jumble of classical, jazz, and oriental, a stir was introduced into the Lebanese arts scene. The theater pieces and songs he wrote for the marginalized speak of the frustrations, hopes, and comic views of everyday people. A: Ziad Rahbani was a Lebanese composer, playwright, and political satirist known for his innovative contributions to music and theater. He was the son of legendary artists Fairuz and Assi Rahbani. A: He died of a heart attack on July 26 in Beirut at the age of 69. He had reportedly refused further medical treatment in the weeks prior. A: His notable works include the songs Sa'alouni El Nass, Kifak Inta, and Bala Wala Shi, as well as plays like Sahriyyeh, Nazl Al-Sourour, and Bema Inno. A: Ziad Rahbani played a key role in modernizing Lebanese music and theater. His sharp political commentary and unique blend of musical styles made him a beloved cultural figure across the Arab world. A: His mother is Fayrouz, the legendary Lebanese singer, and his father was Assi Rahbani, one-half of the iconic Rahbani Brothers.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
I do. Twice! Modern Draupadis and the polyandry debate
I do. Twice! Modern Draupadis and the polyandry debate Sneha Bhura TNN Jul 26, 2025, 19:47 IST IST One bride, two grooms — a viral Himachal wedding revives interest in a fading custom in high, hard places Indian weddings have a way of making the world sit up and watch. Think star-studded Bollywood nuptials in Lake Como or extravagant pre-wedding galas. But this month, another kind of wedding went viral: Sunita Chauhan, a young woman from Shillai village in Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh, married two brothers, Pradeep and Kapil Negi , from the Hatti tribe. Their three-day wedding—complete with folk dances, blessings from the village panchayat and shared vows — catapulted the word ' polyandry ' into our living-room discourse. But how did this practice of a woman marrying multiple men find its way into our news feed in 2025? It's not that polyandry is flourishing in the country. Researchers confirm its steep decline, driven by more educated women, men migrating for jobs, legal curbs and the rise of nuclear families. Still, polyandrous households persist in parts of Himachal and elsewhere, especially where arable land is scarce and joint families endure.
