Veteran actor Sowcar Janaki, who appeared in nearly 400 films across Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam cinema, passed away in Chennai on August 21 (Friday). She was 94.
According to reports, Janaki was in the ICU after falling ill and being hospitalised due to old age. She breathed her last at the Kauvery Hospital in Alwarpet, Chennai.
In a statement, actor and Nadigar Sangam president Nassar shared the news of her demise. The mortal remains of the legendary screen idol will be kept at Centaoph Road in Teynampet, Chennai from 5 pm, allowing her admirers and film fraternity members to pay their last respects.
Sankaramanchi Janaki, widely known as Sowcar Janaki, was born in 1931 in Rajahmundry, in the then Madras Presidency. Her younger sister, Krishna Kumari, was also a noted actress. Janaki began her career as a radio artist and subsequently entered films after her marriage.
She made her screen debut in the Telugu film Shavukaru in 1950, directed by L. V. Prasad and featuring N. T. Rama Rao. The film gave her the professional name 'Sowcar Janaki'.
She entered Tamil cinema in 1952 with Valayapathi, directed by T.R. Sundaram. Over the course of her career, she went on to work extensively across Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam cinema. Her Kannada debut came with the 1954 film Devakannika, and in 1959, she starred opposite Dr Rajkumar in Mahishasura Mardini, regarded as the first pan-India film from Kannada cinema. Her Malayalam debut followed in 1964 with School Master.
She established herself as a leading actress in the South, appearing in several popular films including Rojulu Marayi, Puthiya Paravai, Neerkumizhi, Edhir Neechal and Iru Kodugal.
From the 1970s onward, Janaki appeared in supporting and character roles, working with directors including K. Balachander. Her later credits include Thillu Mullu, Vetri Vizha, Hey Ram and Biskoth.
Janaki received several honours in her lifetime, including the Kalaimamani, Nandi Awards and the Padma Shri in 2022.