Chennai: One of Indian cinema’s most respected actors Sowcar Janaki passed away at the age of 94 here on Friday.
Janaki, who was suffering from age-related health issues, had recently been admitted to a private hospital in Chennai where she breathed her last at around 2 pm while undergoing treatment at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
In a career spanning seven decades, Janaki featured in nearly 400 films, most of them in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam cinema.
Having made her professional debut as a radio jockey, Janaki got her maiden film offer in 1950, in the LV Prasad-directed Telugu filmmovie ‘Shavukaru’.
Equally comfortable playing different kinds of characters, Janaki worked with several generations of actors and filmmakers.
Her last film appearance was in the 2023 Telugu movie ‘Anni Manchi Sakunamule’.
Her contribution was not limited to films. Janaki also performed in more than 300 stage shows and appeared on television.
Janaki’s contribution to Indian cinema was formally recognised four years ago when she as conferred the Padma Shri. She was also the recipient of two Nandi Awards, a Kalaimamani and Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South.