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Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
B Saroja Devi laid to rest near Bengaluru with full state honours. 5 facts you should know about the iconic film actress
Veteran Indian actress B Saroja Devi, a well known figure in Indian cinema, was laid to rest with full state honours in her native village of Dashavara in Bengaluru South district on Tuesday. The 87-year-old screen legend passed away on July 14 at her home in Malleswaram, Bengaluru, due to age-related ailments, news agency PTI reported. B Saroja Devi died at the age of 87 due to age-related ailments.(PTI) READ | Dashcam captures high-speed crash on Bengaluru–Mysuru Expressway, sparks safety concerns. Video Her final rites were conducted according to Vokkaliga traditions, drawing hundreds of mourners, including political leaders, film industry veterans, and fans. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar led the tributes, accompanied by noted figures such as actress Jayamala, producer Rockline Venkatesh, Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce President M Narasimhalu, and producer Basant Kumar Patil, the agency stated. READ | Karnataka minister reacts to Nara Lokesh's Andhra offer to aerospace firms: 'Won't let…' Here are five key facts you need to know about B Saroja Devi: She was born on January 7, 1938, in Bengaluru, and came to be known as one of the most beloved actresses in Indian cinema, celebrated for her grace, poise, and commanding screen presence. She starred in over 180 films across languages such as Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi, including iconic Kannada films like Bhagyavantharu and Babruvahana, played along with the legendary Dr Rajkumar. She was a recipient of many prestigious awards including the Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri, and the Dr Rajkumar Lifetime Achievement Award. She was known for powerful roles in films like Sasural, Kittur Rani Chennamma, and Enga Veettu Pillai. She made her debut in 1955 with the Kannada film Mahakavi Kalidasa at age 17 and soon got the crown as the first female superstar of Kannada cinema. READ | Bengaluru woman, daughter die in tragic double suicide: Report Renowned for portraying strong female characters in period dramas with depth and dignity, her passing drew condolences from across India, including heartfelt tributes from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and film industry stalwarts. (With PTI inputs)
Hans India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Legendary film actress Saroja Devi laid to rest with full state honours
Mandya: Legendary film actress B Saroja Devi was laid to rest in her native village of Dashavara in Mandya district with full state honours on Tuesday. The 87-year-old actress passed away due to age-related ailments at her home in Malleswaram, Bengaluru, on July 14. Her funeral was held in accordance with Vokkaliga traditions, with burial rites performed. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, along with prominent personalities from the Karnataka film industry including Jayamala, Rockline Venkatesh, Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce President M Narasimhalu, and film producer Basant Kumar Patil, paid their final respects. Born on January 7, 1938, in Bengaluru, Saroja Devi rose to become one of Indian cinema's most celebrated and iconic actresses. She made her film debut in the early 1950s and went on to act in over 180 films across multiple languages. Known for her elegance, powerful screen presence, and versatility, she quickly gained widespread fame. Her performances in films such as 'Sasural', 'Kittur Rani Chennamma', 'Anbe Vaa,' and 'Enga Veettu Pillai' are remembered as milestones in Indian cinema. Saroja Devi was particularly acclaimed for her portrayals in historical and mythological films, where she played strong female characters with conviction and grace. She received several prestigious honours, including the Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri from the Government of India, and the Dr Rajkumar Lifetime Achievement Award from the Karnataka government. Following the news of her passing, condolences poured in from across the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, political leaders, and prominent figures from the Indian film industry paid tribute to her, acknowledging her enduring legacy and invaluable contributions to Indian cinema. Speaking to reporters after paying homage at her residence in Bengaluru, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah described her demise as 'a major loss to the entire film industry'. 'B Saroja Devi entered the film industry at a very young age and served it for nearly 70 years. She earned the title of 'Abhinaya Saraswati' early in her career and became a multi-talented actress who worked in Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi films,' he added.
News18
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Karnataka To Cap Cinema Ticket Prices At Rs 200, Govt Releases Draft Notification
Last Updated: The decision comes as a fulfillment of a long-standing demand from the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce The Siddaramaiah government has released a draft notification for the Karnataka Cinema Regulation (Amendment) 2025, which includes a significant new rule to cap movie ticket prices across the state. This long-awaited move mandates that all theatres, including multiplexes, set a maximum ticket price of Rs 200 for films of all languages released in Karnataka. The decision comes as a fulfillment of a long-standing demand from the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce. The government has now issued the draft notification, providing a 15-day window for the public to submit objections and suggestions. This was also an announcement made by chief minister Siddaramaiah in this year's budget. The move aims to make cinema more accessible to the public and is part of a broader strategy to support the local Kannada film industry. The proposed cap would apply to all films, regardless of language, and would be inclusive of entertainment tax. Advocates for the cap argue that exorbitant pricing has deterred many potential moviegoers, particularly for smaller and mid-budget films, thereby hurting the overall health of the industry. By standardising the ticket price, the government hopes to increase footfall in theatres and ensure that cinema remains an affordable form of entertainment. However, the proposal is not without its critics. Multiplex owners and certain sections of the film industry have previously voiced concerns, arguing that a fixed price cap could severely impact their revenue models, especially for big-budget, high-demand releases where they rely on flexible pricing to maximise profits. A similar attempt to cap ticket prices at Rs 200 during Siddaramaiah's previous tenure in 2017 faced legal challenges and was eventually withdrawn. First Published:
NDTV
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Plea Claims "Extra-Judicial Ban" On 'Thug Life' In Karnataka, Supreme Court Issues Notice
Hearing a petition which claimed an "unconstitutional and extra-judicial ban" had been imposed on Kamal Haasan's film 'Thug Life' in Karnataka, the Supreme Court has issued a notice to the state government. The notice, the court said, was being issued considering the urgency of the situation. The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce had threatened to ban the release of the film over the actor's statement that Kannada was "born out of Tamil". Certain groups have also threatened theatres in Karnataka and asked them not to screen the film, because of which it was released worldwide on June 5, but not in the state. The Karnataka High Court had earlier suggested that Mr Haasan apologise. The actor has said his statement was misunderstood and that he deeply respects the Kannada language, but has not issued an outright apology. Hearing the petition on Friday, the partial working day bench of the Supreme Court noted it has been argued that the film, which was duly certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), is not being allowed to be screened in the state of Karnataka. "The so-called ban under threats of violence comes from terror and arson against cinema halls targeting linguistic minorities. Considering the urgency shown, we issue notice to the respondent," the bench said. The plea states that the "ban" stems not from any lawful process, but from a deliberate campaign of terror, including explicit threats of arson against cinema halls and incitement to large-scale communal violence targeting linguistic minorities. It also alleges that the inaction of the State against the non-state actors allegedly inciting violence has led to the violation of Articles 14 (right to equality), 19(1)(a) (right to freedom of speech and expression), 19(1)(g) (right to practice any profession) and 21 (right to life and personal liberty) of the Constitution of the filmmakers, exhibitors and the viewing public.
News18
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Thug Life Box Office Day 1: Kamal Haasan Film Opens At Rs 17 Cr Despite Karnataka Ban
Last Updated: The film, which marks the iconic reunion of Haasan and Ratnam decades after Nayakan, was caught in a political storm ahead of its release. Kamal Haasan's much-anticipated Thug Life, directed by Mani Ratnam, made a strong start at the box office, collecting Rs 17 crore on its opening day despite not being released in Karnataka due to an ongoing language controversy. The film, which marks the iconic reunion of Haasan and Ratnam decades after Nayakan, was caught in a political storm ahead of its release. Haasan's remark during a promotional event – 'Kannada was born out of Tamil" – sparked outrage across Karnataka, leading the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce to halt the film's release in the state. The actor, however, refused to apologise, asserting that his comments were misunderstood. As a result, the film lost an estimated Rs 35–40 crore in potential earnings, as reported by The Hindu. Despite this setback, Thug Life saw a promising 48.72% Tamil occupancy on Thursday, according to Sacnilk. Morning and afternoon shows clocked above 50% occupancy, while evening shows dipped slightly to 45.15%. With an extended weekend ahead, the film is expected to maintain momentum and possibly expand its earnings in the coming days. Starring Kamal Haasan in the lead, the film also features a powerhouse cast including Trisha, Silambarasan TR, Joju George, Ashok Selvan, Nasser, and Abhirami. AR Rahman's music and Ravi K Chandran's cinematography, along with editing by A Sreekar Prasad, contribute to the film's technical finesse. An excerpt from News18's review praised Haasan's performance: 'Kamal is in towering form. There's a stunning late-film sequence where Sakthivel, under heavy sedatives, is forced into combat. He fights, he smirks, he bleeds—and yet never fully wakes. It's Haasan telling us, with quiet swagger, that he can act circles around others in his sleep." Silambarasan TR, playing Amar, was also lauded for bringing both emotional depth and strength to a role that stood tall even next to Haasan's formidable presence. First Published: June 06, 2025, 01:42 IST
