Veteran actress Sowcar Janaki, a towering figure who left an indelible mark on Telugu and Tamil cinema, passed away on Friday afternoon at the age of 94. She had been admitted to Kauvery Hospital in Chennai recently due to age-related health issues and breathed her last while undergoing treatment there. The news was confirmed by Nadigar Sangam President Nassar.
Born Sankaramanchi Janaki in Rajahmundry, she earned the distinctive prefix “Sowcar” after her successful debut in the 1950 Telugu film Sowcaru, directed by L.V. Prasad. The film’s triumph permanently attached the title to her name, by which she became widely known.
Over a remarkable career spanning decades, Sowcar Janaki acted in more than 450 films across Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam cinema. She portrayed a wide range of characters that endeared her to audiences and also appeared on television. Her final on-screen role was in the 2023 Telugu film Anni Manchi Sakunamule.
She holds the rare distinction of having worked with four generations of actors, sharing the screen with legends such as M.G. Ramachandran (MGR), Jayalalithaa, N.T. Rama Rao (NTR), Akkineni Nageswara Rao (ANR), Sivaji Ganesan, and Rajkumar.
In recognition of her outstanding contributions to Indian cinema, the Government of India conferred the Padma Shri award upon her in 2022. Sowcar Janaki’s decades-long journey remains a special chapter in the history of Telugu cinema and South Indian film industries.
Legendary Actress Sowcar Janaki Passes Away at 94
