Veteran actor Sowcar Janaki has died at the age of 94 in Chennai, according to News On AIR and Indian media reports. The reports said she had been receiving treatment for age-related health problems before her death.

Janaki began her film career in 1950 and worked across Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam cinema. The South First reported that her career extended across more than 400 films, making her one of the longest-working performers in Indian cinema.

Her screen name came from the 1955 Telugu film Sowcar, which established the identity by which she became widely known. Coverage of her career describes work in a range of leading and supporting roles over several decades.

Janaki received the Padma Shri in 2022. News On AIR also noted other honours connected with her work, including recognition from state governments and the South Indian International Movie Awards.

The South First reported that she had been admitted to an intensive-care unit before her death. Her mortal remains were kept in Chennai, with the report providing details of the arrangements for people from the film industry and the public to pay their respects.

Sowcar Janaki’s death marks the end of a career that crossed language industries and generations of Indian film audiences. The official and regional reports describe her as a performer whose work continued across South Indian cinema from the early 1950s into later decades.