Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Sowcar Janaki Dies at 94; Film Industry Pays Tribute
Sowcar Janaki, a famous Indian actress, has died in Chennai at age 94.
Reports say she died on August 21 because of health problems related to old age.
One report said she died at 1:59 p.m., while others gave the time as 2 p.m.
Her family will hold her last rites on Saturday afternoon.
People can visit the Besant Nagar Crematorium from Saturday morning to pay their respects.
Janaki acted in more than 400 movies and over 300 plays.
She worked in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and other-language films.
Her career began with the film Shavukaru and lasted nearly seven decades.
Many actors and public leaders shared messages remembering her work.
Padma Shri-winning actress Sowcar Janaki died in Chennai on August 21 from age-related ailments.
Reports gave her time of death as either 1:59 p.m. or 2 p.m.
Her last rites will be held Saturday afternoon at the Besant Nagar Crematorium, with public homage beginning in the morning.
Janaki acted in more than 400 films and over 300 plays across several Indian languages during a career spanning nearly seven decades.
Chiranjeevi, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay, Kamal Haasan, Prabhu Deva, Jr NTR and Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar paid tribute to her.
- Who
- Veteran actress Sowcar Janaki, whose original name was Sankaramanchi Janaki; tributes came from Chiranjeevi, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay, Kamal Haasan, Prabhu Deva, Jr NTR and Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.
- What
- Janaki died, and her family announced a public homage and last rites.
- When
- She died on August 21; reports place the time at 1:59 p.m. or 2 p.m. Her last rites are scheduled for Saturday afternoon.
- Where
- She died in Chennai, where her last rites will be held at the Besant Nagar Crematorium.
- Why
- The reports attribute her death to age-related ailments and health complications; one report said she had been admitted to an intensive care unit days earlier for an unspecified illness.
- Full name
- Sankaramanchi Janaki
- Age
- 94
- Date of death
- August 21; the year is not specified in the reports
- Reported time of death
- 1:59 p.m. in one report and 2 p.m. in others
- Last rites
- Saturday afternoon at the Besant Nagar Crematorium in Chennai
- Public homage
- Beginning Saturday morning
- Career
- More than 400 films and over 300 plays across several Indian languages
- Awards
- Padma Shri, Kalaimamani and Nandi awards were mentioned in the reports
