Veteran actress Kamini Kaushal, one of Indian cinema’s most respected and long-lived stars, passed away on Friday at the age of 98. Family friends said she had been dealing with age-related health issues and that her loved ones have asked for privacy as they cope with the loss.
Born in Lahore as the youngest of five siblings, Kaushal made a mark early in her career with “Neecha Nagar,” the film that won the Palme d’Or at the 1946 Cannes Film Festival. Through the decades, she went on to act in more than 90 films and became a familiar face to generations of moviegoers. Her standout works included “Shaheed,” “Nadiya Ke Paar,” “Shabnam,” “Aarzoo,” and “Biraj Bahu,” along with noted films such as “Do Bhai,” “Ziddi,” “Paras,” “Namoona,” “Aabroo,” and “Godaan.”
Kaushal was admired for her natural screen presence and for her work with legendary actors like Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor, Dev Anand, and Ashok Kumar. Her on-screen partnership with Dilip Kumar, especially in films like “Shaheed” and “Aarzoo,” won widespread praise.
She also reached audiences through television, most memorably with the Doordarshan show “Chand Sitare.” Even in her later years, she remained connected to films, appearing in “Laal Singh Chaddha” in 2022.
Kamini Kaushal is survived by her sons Shravan, Vidur, and Rahul Sood. Her colleagues remembered her as gentle, disciplined, and deeply devoted to her craft.
