Final rites of Saroja Devi can be carried out with full State honours: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah provided floral tribute to legendary actress B Saroja Devi, who handed away at her residence in Malleswaram, Bengaluru. The 87-year-old actress died on Monday (July 14, 2025) resulting from age-related sickness.

He said, “On my behalf, and on behalf of the Government of Karnataka, I pray for her soul to relaxation in peace and for power to her relations to bear this loss.” Siddaramaiah additionally introduced that state honours can be accorded at her cremation.

Her final rites can be carried out in her native village Dhashavara in Channapatna taluk of Mandya district on July 15, 2025.

Speaking to reporters after paying homage, the Chief Minister described her demise as “a serious loss to your entire movie business.”

“B Saroja Devi entered the movie business at a really tender age and served it for practically 70 years. At a younger age, she earned the title of ‘Abhinaya Saraswati’ and have become a multi-talented actress who labored in Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi movies,” Siddaramaiah mentioned.

Saroja Devi introduced life into the characters she portrayed and acted alongside main actors of her period, together with M G Ramachandran, N T Rama Rao, Shivaji Ganesan, Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand, Rajendra Kumar, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, and Dr Rajkumar, he added.

The Chief Minister additionally mentioned that Saroja Devi had immensely contributed to the expansion of the Kannada movie business. He additionally recalled having met Saroja Devi on a number of events.

“She was always warm and affectionate. I have also watched some of her memorable films such as Kittur Rani Chennamma, Bhagyavanthalu, Babruvahana, and Nyayave Devaru,” he recalled.