‘She was always thinking of how to improve the scene and how to do better in each shot. Even at that age her passion and commitment was so inspiring.’
IMAGE: Movie legend Sowcar Janaki passed into the ages on Friday, August 21, 2026, aged 94. Photograph: Kind courtesy Annamalai K/X
Sankaramanchi Janaki, popularly known as Sowcar Janaki, was a legendary Indian actress who enjoyed an illustrious career spanning over seven decades in South Indian cinema. Widely respected for her immense versatility and emotional depth, she performed in over 400 films across Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi.
She passed away on August 21, 2026 at a hospital in Chennai aged 94.
She made a stellar film debut at age 17 in the 1950 Telugu hit Shavukaru, opposite N T Rama Rao. To distinguish her from actor M G Ramachandran’s actress wife V N Janaki, she was given the prefix ‘Sowcar’.
Key Points
- Sowcar Janaki had an illustrious career spanning over seven decades and 400 films.
- She was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2022 for her significant contributions to the arts.
- Director Nandini Reddy, who worked with Janaki on her last film, praised her meticulousness, professionalism, and unwavering passion for acting.
Uniquely for her era, Janaki ventured into acting post-marriage and successfully refused to be box-office confined to conventional, passive heroine roles.
In 2022, she was honored with the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, for her massive contributions to the arts.
Nandini Reddy was the last director to work with Sowcar Janaki in Anni Manchi Sakunamule.
Speaking exclusively of the experience, Nandini recalls, “She was an absolute legend. I went and narrated the story to her and though she was hesitant earlier, after listening to the character she agreed.”
“She drove all the way from Bangalore to Coonoor. She was so meticulous, she sent me pictures of all the saris she wanted to wear and asked me to pick them.”
On location Nandini recalls Sowcar Janaki as being an obedient actor. “Once she came to the location she would rehearse the entire scene once and then do the shots. She would always insist on calling me Director garu though I said, ‘Call me by my name, Amma.’
“She said. ‘I am giving respect to your designation as director hence I will always call you Nandini garu.”
Nandini was surprised at how articulate and versatile Sowcar Janaki was. “Her English was as immaculate as her Telugu, She was also a brilliant cook and she would prepare food for us even on days of shoot.”
The director gets emotional remembering the veteran actress’ unflagging passion for acting. “She was always thinking of how to improve the scene and how to do better in each shot. Even at that age her passion and commitment was so inspiring.
“When I went to Chennai for her dubbing a few months later she could still remember the dialogues ad verbatim…. I was so stunned. She was always the kindest and warmest person and used to regularly stay in touch through WhatsApp till about two years ago.”
Shedding some light on Sorcar Janaki’s personal life, Nandini reveals, “She was very independent and lived by herself. She spoke very fondly of her sister Krishna Kumari garu who had passed away, and about her grandchildren too.”
“She was very disciplined and ate only one meal a day. ‘I am so tiny… I can’t afford to put on any extra weight,’ she would say. I am very blessed that I got to spend some time with Amma and get to direct her in a film, and that too her last.”
