Padma Shri awardee Sowcar Janaki passed away in Chennai on August 21 after hospitalisation
Veteran actress Sowcar Janaki died in Chennai on August 21, 2026, at the age of 94. The Padma Shri awardee worked across Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam cinema during a career spanning more than seven decades.
Chennai: Veteran actress and Padma Shri awardee Sowcar Janaki died in Chennai on Friday, August 21, 2026, at the age of 94. She had been admitted to a private hospital in the city after health complications and was receiving intensive medical care. Nadigar Sangam president Nassar confirmed her death, with reports stating that she died at 1:59 pm.
Born Sankaramanchi Janaki on December 12, 1931, the actress was known as Sowcar Janaki and worked across Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam cinema. Her acting career extended for more than seven decades, during which she appeared in more than 400 films according to recent reports.
Her death has prompted condolences from members of the Kannada and wider South Indian film industries, along with fans and others associated with Indian cinema.
Sowcar Janaki Kannada Film Career
Sowcar Janaki also had an extensive association with Kannada cinema. Her first Kannada film was Devakannika, followed by films including Gauri, Bhagya Chakra, Kanyaratna, Ratnagiri Rahasya, School Master and Thaige Thakka Maga.
She also appeared in Shabdavedhi, which starred Dr. Rajkumar. Her association with Kannada cinema extended to later generations of actors, including Puneeth Rajkumar. She played a supporting role in the Puneeth Rajkumar-starrer Abhi.
Janaki was also part of Mahishasura Mardini, a Kannada film released in 1959, in which she appeared alongside Dr. Rajkumar. The film has been described as an early Kannada pan-Indian production.
Her work in Kannada cinema formed one part of a career that covered multiple South Indian film industries.
Sowcar Janaki Career Spanned Seven Decades
Sowcar Janaki began her film career with the Telugu film Shavukaru in 1950, a film that also gave her the screen name by which she became widely known. She subsequently worked in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam films, along with appearances in Hindi cinema.
During her career, she also performed on stage and worked as a radio artist in her earlier years. Sources record her participation in more than 300 stage shows, while other biographical accounts document a larger number of stage performances.
Her filmography included collaborations with several filmmakers and actors across South Indian cinema. In Tamil cinema, she worked with director K. Balachander in films including Neerkumizhi, Edhir Neechal, Uyarndha Manithan, Kaviya Thalaivi and Thillu Mullu.
Her later film appearances included Biskoth, released in 2020, while her final film appearance was reported as Anni Manchi Sakunamule in 2023.
Sowcar Janaki Awards and Padma Shri
Sowcar Janaki received several honours during her career. Her awards included two Nandi Awards, the Kalaimamani award and the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South.
The Government of India conferred the Padma Shri on her in 2022 for her contribution to cinema. The award is one of India’s civilian honours.
Her other recognitions included the Rajyotsava Award from the Government of Karnataka and awards associated with the Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh film industries.
Sowcar Janaki Hospitalisation and Death
Sowcar Janaki had been admitted to a private hospital in Chennai before her death following health complications. Reports on August 20 said she was receiving intensive care in the hospital.
She died on August 21 at the age of 94 while undergoing medical treatment. According to reports citing Nassar, her death occurred at 1:59 pm.
Reports also stated that her mortal remains would be kept at Centaph Road in Teynampet from 5 pm, allowing members of the public, fans and people from the film industry to pay their last respects.
Condolences for Sowcar Janaki
Following her death, condolences were expressed by members of the Kannada and South Indian film industries and by fans. Her career connected multiple generations of actors and filmmakers across Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam cinema.
For Kannada audiences, her performances alongside actors including Dr. Rajkumar and her later appearance in Abhi with Puneeth Rajkumar remain part of her filmography.
Sowcar Janaki leaves behind a film career spanning more than seven decades, with work across multiple languages, more than 400 reported film appearances and a series of awards, including the Padma Shri.
