Dilip Kumar helped Saroja Devi continue her acting career post-marriage, her husband…
Veteran actress Saroja Devi, known for her extensive work in regional cinema passed away at the age of 87 on Monday (July 14, 2025). According to reports, she was suffering from age-related illness and breathed her last in Bengaluru. Regarded as the first superstar of Kannada cinema, Saroja made her acting debut with the Kannada film Mahakavi Kalidasa (1955). She then went on to appear in classics such as School Master (1958), Kittur Chennamma (1961), Amarashilpi Jakanachari (1963), Mallammana Pavada (1968)and more.
Her career spanned not just in Kannada cinema but also in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi films. She became a well known figure in 1950 and 1960s because of her iconic performances, and solidified her position as a leading actress.
Who was Saroja Devi’s husband?
In 1967, Saroja Devi tied the knot with Sri Harsha, an engineer at Bharat Electronics. Well, their relationship was a testament to true love, support and companionship. Sri Harsha was not just her partner, but a pillar of support helping her navigate through financial troubles and encouraging to continue her acting career.
After marriage, Saroja Devi’s career rose to fame, and she became widely famous in Kannada cinema. It was her husband who pushed her to continue acting post-marriage. Interestingly, many might not know this but Dilip Kumar played a massive role in shaping Sri Harsha’s decision.
How Dilip Kumar became the reason for Saroja Devi to continue acting post-marriage?
Earlier, in one of the interviews, When Saroja Devi was asked about her persistent commitment to acting, she told that Dilip Kumar once advised Saira Banu to not quit working in films after marriage. Rajesh Khanna then shared this anecdote with her husband, who then encouraged her to not abandon the acting profession.
After her husband passed away in 1986, she was devastated, and completely withdrew herself from the limelight. However, after a year, she proved her determination and commitment by making a successful comeback to films with Lady Tailor. Talking about her accolades, she was honoured with prestigious Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan for her remarkable contribution to Indian cinema. She was also conferred with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Government of India in 2008.
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