Veteran Actress Shavukaru Janaki Passes Away

The Indian film industry is mourning the loss of veteran actress Shavukaru Janaki, who passed away at the age of 94 in Chennai. The acclaimed actress had been undergoing treatment at Kauvery Hospital after suffering from age-related complications and health issues. She breathed her last at 1:59 PM on Friday while receiving treatment in the ICU. Nadigar Sangam president Nassar officially confirmed the news. Her mortal remains have been kept at Saint Mary’s Road in Teynampet, Chennai, allowing family, friends, colleagues and fans to pay their final respects.

Janaki began her remarkable acting journey with the 1950 Telugu film Shavukaru, directed by L. V. Prasad. The film’s title became permanently associated with her name, earning her the identity Shavukaru Janaki. She went on to build an impressive career across Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam cinema, making her Tamil debut with Valayapathi in 1952 and later appearing in Devakannika and School Master. She also featured alongside Dr. Rajkumar in the 1959 Kannada film Mahishasura Mardhini. Beyond cinema, Janaki explored television and appeared in several memorable serials, with Varoodhini Parinayam being her final Telugu TV outing. Her last film appearances came in Biskoth (2020) and Nandini Reddy’s Anni Manchi Sakunamule (2023). Recognising her immense contribution to Indian cinema, the Government of India honoured her with the Padma Shri in 2022.