Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Veteran Actress Sowcar Janaki Dies at 94, Stars Pay Tribute
Sowcar Janaki was a famous actress in Indian cinema.
She died in Chennai at the age of 94.
Reports said she had been receiving hospital treatment for health problems related to old age.
Nassar, a film association leader and actor, confirmed her death.
Many actors and filmmakers shared messages remembering her.
Jr NTR said her characters would stay in people’s memories.
Kamal Haasan remembered working with her and called her an irreplaceable artist.
Janaki acted in more than 400 films and over 300 stage shows.
People are mourning the loss of an actress whose career lasted for more than seven decades.
Veteran actress Sowcar Janaki died in Chennai on Friday, August 21, 2026, aged 94, after age-related health complications.
Her family’s press note gave her time of death as 1:59 p.m., while other reports described it as around 2 p.m.
Nadigar Sangam president and actor Nassar confirmed her death and announced that her remains would be kept at Cenotaph Road from 5 p.m.
Jr NTR, Kamal Haasan, Radikaa Sarathkumar, Pawan Kalyan, Prabhudheva, Vishnu Manchu and others paid tribute.
Janaki worked across Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam cinema, appearing in more than 400 films and over 300 stage shows.
- Who
- Sowcar Janaki, a 94-year-old veteran actress, died; numerous South Indian film figures paid tribute.
- What
- Janaki’s death was confirmed after age-related health complications, prompting tributes from across the film industry.
- When
- Friday, August 21, 2026; reports gave the time as 1:59 p.m. or around 2 p.m.
- Where
- Chennai, including Kauvery Hospital in Alwarpet, where one report said she was treated.
- Why
- Reports attributed her death to health complications associated with old age.
- Age
- 94
- Date of death
- August 21, 2026
- Reported time
- 1:59 p.m. according to a family press note; other reports said around 2 p.m.
- Location
- Chennai
- Career
- More than seven decades
- Film appearances
- More than 400 films
- Stage appearances
- More than 300 stage shows
- Notable honour
- Padma Shri, conferred in 2022
