CHENNAI: M Saroja, popular yesteryear comedienne and wife of actor Thangavelu, passed away on Monday. She was 78, and is survived by daughter Sumathi.
The senior artiste had been unwell for nearly two months, and complained of severe breathlessness on Monday evening at her residence in T Nagar, where she breathed her last. The final rites are expected to be held on Wednesday.
Known to be quick-witted, Saroja is best remembered for her rib-tickling portions in films Kalyana Parisu and Thaen Nilavu, in which she was paired with her husband Thangavelu. A theatre artist, Saroja was introduced to films by filmmaker C Subramaniam in his film Geeta Gandhi. The film never saw the day of light, and Saroja’s first film released was Sarvadhikaari (1951), that starred MGR. She acted in over 300 films with her husband Thangavelu alone including Rajadesingu, Nagapanchami, Vanangamudi and Paasamalar. The famous duo got married in 1959, on the 100th day after the release of the blockbuster Kalyana Parisu. Saroja has acted in several Hindi, Telugu and Kannada movies as well