Bengaluru/IBNS: B. Saroja Devi, who is called the first female superstar of the Kannada film industry, passed away at 87 on Monday, media reports said.

She has acted in over 200 films in multiple languages over seven decades.

Saroja Devi started her career at the age of 17 with Kannada film Mahakavi Kalidasa in 1955.

She made her debut in Telugu films with Panduranga Mahatyam in 1957. She worked in several Telugu films for about 20 years.

Tamil film Nadodi Mannan in 1958 made her one of the top actresses in the region.

She was one of the most popular and highest-paid actresses in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s.

The superstar had worked with all major South Indian actors like MGR, Sivaji Ganesan, N. T. Rama Rao, Rajkumar, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, and Gemini Ganesan.

Her popular Hindi films include Sasural (1961), Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya (1963), and Gharana (1961).

She got married to businessman Sri Harsha in 1967. After her husband's death in 1986, Saroja Devi withdrew from films for a while.

She later returned to cinema in character roles and also took part in social service.

Saroja Devi was honoured with Padma Shri in 1969, Padma Bhushan in 1992 apart from several other state film awards.