CHENNAI: Veteran actor ‘Sowcar’ Janaki, known for her performances in various films across South Indian languages, passed away in Chennai on Friday due to age-related ailments. She was 94.
One of Indian cinema’s most revered actors with more than 400 titles across languages to her credit, ‘Sowcar’ Janaki made an impressive acting debut in the 1950 Telugu film Shavukaru, directed by LV Prasad. It was this film that earned Janaki the moniker of ‘Sowcar’, which remained her identity for over 70 years.
Janaki was also known for her repeated collaboration with many popular filmmakers of various eras. She is most popular for her roles in films directed by K Balachander, including Neerkumizhi (1965), Bama Vijayam (1967), Edhir Neechal (1968), Kaviya Thalaivi (1970), and Thillu Mullu (1981).
Although Balachander’s films starring Janaki, such as Iru Kodugal, earned her the title of ‘Tragedy Queen’, their collaborations were particularly notable for showcasing her wit, eccentricity, and intelligence.
Her performance in Pudhiya Paravai continues to be considered one of the finest by an actor of that era. She also made evergreen films with directors like Bhimsingh and AP Nagarajan. Besides Tamil and Telugu, she starred in Malayalam, Hindi, and Kannada films.
She was also known for her ‘Midas Touch’, as she was part of the initial films of actors like Kamal Haasan, Sridevi, N T Rama Rao, Waheeda Rehman, and even Vijay Deverakonda, who became superstars in their own right.
A recipient of the 1969 Kalaimamani award, she was also honoured with the Padma Shri in 2022. She won multiple state awards for her film performances, including the Tamil Nadu State Film Honorary Award–MGR Award (1990), Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress (1970), Andhra Pradesh’s Nandi Awards for Best Supporting Actress in 1987 and 2007, Karnataka’s Rajyotsava Award (2015), and Tamil Nadu’s Puratchi Thalaivi Dr J Jayalalithaa Special Kalaimamani Award (2020).
Her last appearance in Tamil came in director R Kannan’s 2020 film Biskoth. In Telugu, she made her final appearance in 2023’s Anni Manchi Sakunamule, directed by B V Nandini Reddy and co-starring Santosh Sobhan and Malvika Nair.
Reminiscing about working with Janaki as a child artist in Parthal Pasi Theerum, actor-politician Kamal Haasan wrote, “She was the mother, I the child. Sowcar Janaki is an irreplaceable actor of the south film industry. She was also the go-to actor of my mentor
K Balachander.” Actor Chiranjeevi said, “She breathed life into diverse roles and earned an indelible place in the hearts of audiences.” Her last rites will be held on Saturday.