Departures of note

Sowcar Janaki, born Sankaramanchi Janaki on 12 December 1931, was one of Indian cinema's most celebrated actresses, working across Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada films for more than seven decades. She made her debut in the 1950 Telugu film Shavukaru, which earned her the moniker 'Sowcar', and went on to appear in nearly 400 films as well as over 300 stage productions and radio work in her early years.

She was a leading heroine in the 1950s and 1960s, with notable Tamil films including Panam Paduthum Padu, Puthiya Paravai, Neerkumizhi, Mahakavi Kalidas, Iru Kodugal and Kaviya Thalaivi, which she also produced. Her Telugu credits included Rojulu Marayi, Kanyasulkam, Jayam Manade and Panduranga Mahatyam. She also featured in the first Kannada pan-Indian film Mahishasura Mardini alongside Dr. Rajkumar.

Her contributions were recognised with numerous honours, including the Kalaimamani, two Nandi Awards, the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award for South, the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress, and in 2022 the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award. She was also the elder sister of noted actress Krishna Kumari and grandmother of actress Vaishnavi Aravind.

Sowcar Janaki died on 21 August 2026 at Kavery Hospital in Chennai at the age of 94.