Veteran actor ‘Sowcar’ Janaki passes away at 94
Veteran actor Sankaramanchi Janaki, aka ‘Sowcar’ Janaki, known for countless performances in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada films, passed away at a private hospital in Chennai on Friday
Janaki acted in over 400 films in four languages in a career spanning seven decades
Updated - August 21, 2026 04:30 pm IST
FILE PHOTO: Actor Sowcar Janaki. | Photo Credit: PICHUMANI K
Veteran actor Sankaramanchi Janaki, aka ‘Sowcar’ Janaki, known for countless performances in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada films, passed away at a private hospital in Chennai on Friday (August 21). She was 94.
Janaki, whose filmography spans seven decades and more than 400 films, made her debut in the 1950 Telugu film Shavukaru, directed by veteran director LV Prasad.
The actor then went on to act in several notable films, like Panam Paduthum Padu (1954), Puthiya Paravai (1964), Neerkumizhi (1965), Edhir Neechal (1968), Iru Kodugal (1969), Uyarndha Manithan (1968), Kaviya Thalaivi (1970), Thillu Mullu (1981), and Vettri Vizhaa (1989) in Tamil; and Rojulu Marayi (1955), Kanyasulkam (1955), Panduranga Mahatyam (1957), Doctor Chakravarty (1964), Akka Chellelu (1970), and Badi Panthulu (1972) among other films in Telugu.
‘Sowcar’ Janaki: ‘I’m an incurable romantic’
The actor was last seen in the 2023 Telugu film Anni Manchi Sakunamule, directed by BV Nandini Reddy. In Tamil, she was last seen in actor Santhanam’s 2020 film, Biskoth.
Notably, to avoid being confused with VN Janaki, acclaimed actor and late legendary actor-politician MG Ramachandran’s wife, the actor was referred to as ‘Sowcar’ Janaki, after her debut film, Shavukaru. The name stuck throughout her career.
In recognition of her lifelong contribution to art and cinema, Janaki was conferred the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 2022 at New Delhi.
The news about Janaki’s passing has come as a shock to fans and members of the film fraternity. In an exclusive interview with The Hindu in 2021, Janaki was quoted as saying, “Life is uncertain. You have to exit when the curtain is down. Be prepared and go peacefully; that’s my only wish.”
Janaki is survived by three children, four grand children and four great grand children.
Published - August 21, 2026 03:03 pm IST
Tamil cinema / Telugu cinema
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