New Delhi, Nov 15: Veteran actress Kamini Kaushal, best known for her memorable performances in Bimal Roy’s Biraj Bahu (1954) and Arzoo (1950) opposite Dilip Kumar, has passed away at the age of 98 in Mumbai.
A neighbour close to the Kaushal family confirmed the news of her demise.
Following the announcement, tributes poured in from across the film industry.
Her Laal Singh Chaddha co-star Kareena Kapoor Khan shared a black-and-white photograph of a young Kamini Kaushal on Instagram, accompanied by heart and folded-hands emojis.
Shahid Kapoor, who worked with her in Kabir Singh, expressed his grief, writing, “Rest in light maam.”
Kiara Advani, also her Kabir Singh co-star, penned a heartfelt message remembering the legendary actress, “It was an honour to work with you. Your grace, humility, and talent inspired generations and left an unforgettable mark on Indian cinema. Rest in peace, Kamini Kaushal ji.”
Kamini Kaushal was one of the most celebrated actresses of Indian cinema’s golden era—the 1940s, 50s, and 60s. She shared the screen with iconic stars such as Ashok Kumar, Raj Kapoor, Dev Anand, Dilip Kumar, Raaj Kumar, and Dharmendra.
She made a powerful debut with Neecha Nagar (1946), which won the Grand Prix du Festival International du Film at the first-ever Cannes Film Festival—still the only Indian film to receive what later became known as the Palme d’Or. Directed by Chetan Anand, the film also featured Uma Anand and Rafiq Anwar.
Over a career spanning more than seven decades, Kaushal appeared in over 70 films. Some of her most acclaimed works include Do Bhai (1947), Shaheed (1948) with Dilip Kumar, Shaheed (1965) with Manoj Kumar and Pran, Nadiya Ke Paar (1948), Bimal Roy’s Biraj Bahu (1954), Arzoo (1950), and Aag (1948) with Raj Kapoor.
Her diverse filmography also features Ziddi (1948), Shabnam (1949), Paras, Namoona, Jhanjar, Aabroo, Bade Sarkar, Jailor, Night Club, and Godaan.
In addition to films, she made her mark on television with the popular Doordarshan show Chand Sitare.
Remarkably active even in her later years, Kamini Kaushal appeared in recent films such as Kabir Singh (2019) and Laal Singh Chaddha (2022), continuing to bring her grace and talent to a new generation of audiences.
