“Fans Loved Me Because of Balu and Amma’s Songs”: Srinath Pays Tribute to S. Janaki

An emotional Srinath paid a moving tribute to legendary playback singer S. Janaki and said that his huge popularity and the love he received from fans throughout his career were a direct gift from her melodies.  

The veteran Kannada actor, who was fondly called 'Pranaya Raja' (King of Romance) by millions for his iconic romantic roles, paid his last respects to the mortal remains of the singing maestro at the Maharaja's College grounds in Mysuru.

“They Made My Acting Easier”

Srinath, standing next to veteran actor Bharati Vishnuvardhan, got teary-eyed as he narrated how S. Janaki and her frequent duet partner, the late S.P. Balasubrahmanyam, had influenced his film career.

The magic of their voices, he said, brought life to his on-screen performances and turned simple scenes into evergreen romantic moments:

It is because of the songs sung by Balu (S.P. Balasubrahmanyam) and Amma (S. Janaki) that fans have showered me with love and warmth. They made me act natural. The love and affection Janaki Amma showered on all of us were tremendous and unforgettable.”  

The soulful, expressive playback singing of Janaki was directly responsible for defining Srinath's on-screen persona in many blockbuster Kannada films of the 1970s and '80s, including classics such as Besuge, Kiladi Jodi and Preethi Maadu Tamasshe Nodu.

A State in Grief

S. Janaki’s death has sent shockwaves of grief across the country, particularly in Karnataka, where she rendered some of the most unforgettable hits of her career spanning six decades.  

Thousands of fans, film industry stalwarts and cultural icons gathered in Mysuru to pay their last respects to ‘Janaki Amma’. Deep condolences poured in from famous personalities across the South Indian film industry, who remembered her not just as an irreplaceable musical institution but as a warm maternal figure to generations of artists.