Legendary movie actor B Saroja Devi was laid to rest in her native village of Dashavara in Channapatna Taluk in Ramanagara district with full state honours on Tuesday (July 15, 2025). The 87-year-old handed away due to age-related illnesses at her residence in Malleswaram in Bengaluru on Monday (July 14, 2025).
Her funeral was held in accordance with Vokkaliga traditions, with burial rites carried out. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, alongside with distinguished personalities from the Karnataka movie trade, together with Jayamala, Sundar Raju, Rockline Venkatesh, Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce President (KFCC) M Narasimhalu, and movie producer Basant Kumar Patil, paid their closing respects.
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. That’s a tremendous achievement. I have met her so many times. She would talk to everyone with affection,” he mentioned.
The Chief Minister added that he loved her performances in Kannada movies corresponding to Mallammana Pavaada (1969), Kittur Chennamma (1961), Nyayave Devaru (1971) and Bhagyavantharu (1977). “She formed a great on-screen chemistry with Dr Rajkumar,” Siddaramaiah added.
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On Monday, the eyes of Saroja Devi have been donated to Narayana Nethralaya as per her want, hospital officers instructed reporters. An official from Narayana Nethralaya mentioned that Saroja Devi registered for eye donation 5 years in the past. “Only corneas have been taken, both her corneas are in good condition,” he added.
