Saroja Devi, (b. 1945)

Top 60s star in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada cinemas. Associated mainly with sentimental melodrama. Also worked in several Hindi films. Early career in mythologicals after she was spotted by Honnappa Bhagavathar who cast her in Mahakavi Kalidasa. Telugu début with NTR in the National Art Theatres’ mythological, K. Kameshwara Rao’s Panduranga Mahatyam; later acted with NTR in several other Telugu films. Became a superstar with the MGR Tamil hit Nadodi Mannan, after which she did many films with him, incl. a few in which she played the dominant role (e.g. Thayi Sollai Thatthathe). Acted in over 160 films in four languages. Was Chairperson of the Karnataka Film Development Corp. and the Kanteerava Studios, Bangalore. Her main directors include Panthulu (School Master, Ratnagiri Rahasya, Kittur Chanamma), K.V. Reddy and A. Bhimsingh.

FILMOGRAPHY: 1955: Mahakavi Kalidasa; Ashadabhooti; Shrirama Pooja; 1956: Kacha Devyani; Kokilavani; Pancharathna; 1957: Chintamani; Ratnagiri Rahasya/Tangamalai? Rahasyam; Manalane Mangayin Bhagyam; Panduranga Mahatyam; 1958: Illarame Nallaram; Manamulla Maratharam; Nadodi Mannan; Shabash Meena; Sengottai Singam; Thedi Vantha Selvam; Thirumanam; Bhukailasa; Bhuloka Rambha/Pareeksha?; Anna Thangi; School Master/Badi? Panthulu; 1959: Jagajyothi Basaveshwara; Paigham; Pelli Sandadi/Kalyana? Penn; Bhagapirivanai; Kalyana Parisu; Kudivazhanthal Kodi Nanmai; Ore Velaiyadu Papa; President Panchatcharam; Vazha Vaitha Daivam; 1960: Ellorum Innattu Mannar; Irumputhirai; Kairasi; Parthiban Kanavu; Vidiveli; Yanai Pagan; Pelli Kanuka; Bhakti Mahima; 1961: Seeta Rama Kalyanam; Intiki Deepam Illale; Jagadeka Veeruni Katha/Jagathala? Prathapan; Mahout; Opera House; Sasural; Kittur Chanamma/ Rani Chanamma; Vijayanagarada Veeraputra; Palum Pazhamum; Panithirai; Thayi Sollai Thatthathe; Thirudathe; Krishna Kuchela; 1962: Adiperaku; Alayamani; Kudumba Thalaivan; Madappura; Pasam; Parthal Pasi Theerum; Thayai Katha Thanayan; Valar Pirai; Devasundari; Hong Kong; Shri Krishnarjuna Yuddham; 1963: Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya; Manchi Chedu; Iruvar Ullam; Kalyanin Kanavan; Kulamangal Radhai; Needukkupin Pasam; Panathottam; Periya Idathu Penn; 1964: Daivathai; En Kadamai; Padakotti; Panakara Kudumbam; Pasamum Nesamum; Pudhiya Paravai; Thayin Madiyil; Vazhkai Vazhvadarke; Atmabalam; Dagudu Moothulu; Beti Bete; Dooj Ka Chand; Amarashilpi Jakanachari/Amarashilpi? Jakanna; 1965: Prameelarjuneyam; Beretha Jeeva; Todu Needa; Asai Mukham; Enga Veetu Pillai; Kalankari Vilakkam; 1966: Anbe Vaa; Nadodi; Naan Anaittal; Parakkum Pavai; Petral Than Pillayya; Thali Bhagyam; Shakuntala; Preet Na Jane Reet; 1967: Arasa Kattali; Penn Entral Penn; 1968: En Thambi; Panama Pasama; Thamarai Nenjam; Umachandi Gauri Shankarula Katha; Arunodaya/ Arunodhayam; 1969: Mallammanna Pavada; Anbalipu; Thanga Malar; Odum Nadhi; Anjal Petty 520; Kulavilakku; Aindhu Laksham; 1970: Kanmalar; Sinehithi; Malathi; Lakshmi Saraswati; Vijayam Mande; Mayani Mamata; 1971: Purnima; Papa Punya; Thande Makkalu; Nyayave Devaru; Shri Krishna Rukmini Satyabhama; Thenum Palum; Uyir; 1972: Shakti Leela; Hari Darshan; Pandanti Kapuram; Mathru Murthi; 1973: Sahadharmini; 1974: Pathumatha Bandham; Chamundeshwari Mahime; Gruhini; Shri Srinivasa Kalyana; Manushilo Devudu; Shri Ramanjaneya Yuddham; 1975: Gunavanthudu; Bhagya Jyothi; Katha Sangama; 1976: Chiranjeevi; 1977: Daana Veera Shura Karna; Seetarama Vanavasu; Babruvahana; Bhagyavantharu; Shri Renukadevi Mahatme; Shani Prabhava; 1978: Parsuraman; 1980: Guru Sarvabhowma Shri Raghavendra Karune; 1981: Nammina Thayi Annamma; 1984: Guru Bhakti; Yarivanu?; Rudranaga; 1985: Thayi Thande; 1988: Poovukkul Pookambalam; Ladies’ Hostel; 1989: Ponmana Selvan; Ore Thayi Ore Kulam; Dharma Devan; Guru; 1990: Bhale Chatura; Yamadharma Raju; 1991: Alludu Diddina Kapuram; 1992: Apathbandhavudu; 1993: Paramparyam; 1994: Mahashakti Maye; 1995:Puttmalli.

Actor