Cinema VinesRumours of the death of veteran Kannada actress M.N. Lakshmi Devi spread across the film community on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, causing widespread concern among fans and colleagues. The allegations, which circulated on social media and WhatsApp groups, were quickly dismissed by the actress’s family, who confirmed that she remains alive and in good health.
Granddaughter Deepika Sharan put an end to the misinformation by posting a short video in which her grandmother is seen smiling. In the accompanying caption, Sharan wrote, “Our grandmother is healthy. Please do not spread false news.” The clip provided tangible evidence that Lakshmi Devi is still active and well.
Born Mysore Narasimhachar Lakshmi Devi in Chintamani, the actress has spent more than seventy years in the Kannada film industry. She began her career with the 1952 film Srinivasa Kalyana, sharing the screen with Narasimha Raju, and went on to appear in over 1,000 movies. Her filmography includes classics such as Bhakta Kanakadasa, Veera Kesari, Bangarada Manushya, Kutumba, Yajamana and Rajahuli. Lakshmi Devi has worked with actors from multiple generations, from the early days of Dr. Rajkumar to recent stars like Yash.
Her contributions to Kannada cinema have been formally recognised. In 2001 she received the Karnataka State Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Kallara Kalla, and in 2006–07 she was honoured with the Dr. Rajkumar Award for lifetime achievement by the state government.
The death hoax was not limited to Lakshmi Devi. Actor Doddanna, 76, also faced a similar false claim when a social media post alleged his death. Doddanna publicly denied the rumors, stating, “Miscreants are spreading fake death news. I am healthy.” He added that he has been inundated with calls from friends, relatives and well‑wishers asking about his health, and that he plans to file a complaint with the cyber police to hold the perpetrators accountable.
With the family’s confirmation and the granddaughter’s video, the circulation of the death rumours has been effectively stopped. The incident underscores the rapid spread of misinformation in the digital age and the importance of verifying facts before sharing them on public platforms.
