Veteran actress Kamini Kaushal has passed away at the age of 98. She had been dealing with age-related health issues. Her death feels like the end of an era. Many people remember her with deep respect and warmth.
Kamini Kaushal Dies At 98
Journalist Vickey Lalwani confirmed the news on Instagram. A source close to the family said, “Kamini Kaushal’s family is extremely low profile and needs privacy.”
Her sons (Shravan, Vidur and Rahul Sood) have not shared a statement yet.
Kamini Kaushal had a long and remarkable career. She appeared in more than 90 films. She began her journey with Neecha Nagar in 1946. The film made history at its release. It won the Palme d’Or at the first Cannes Film Festival. It is still the only Indian film to receive that honour. She also won the Montreal Film Festival Award for her performance. Her talent was recognised from the very beginning.
Dharmendra had once shared one of the most emotional tributes to her. She was the heroine of his first film. He posted a photo from their first meeting and wrote, “Pehli film SHAHEED ki heroine Kamini Kaushal Ke saath pehli mulaqat ki pehli tasvir… Donon ke chihron par massart … ikk pyaar bhari introduction….”
Kamini Kaushal’s Career
Kamini Kaushal was born on 24 February 1927. She entered the film industry when Indian cinema was growing fast. She adapted with ease. She moved from black-and-white films to new styles of filmmaking. She also worked with some of the biggest names of that era, including Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor. Her expressive acting and calm presence made her one of the most respected actresses of her time.
In an old interview with IANS, she spoke about how she viewed her work. She said, “I never felt overwhelmed by watching myself on-screen. I always looked at my performances critically. When I look at any of my films, I ask myself if I managed to convey what I wanted to express through my performance? Am I looking convincing in the role?”
She added, “Also, for me, my director is the first audience, so I have to be in sync with my director because, in the end, I am executing his vision, right? There are many times when I did not do the rehearsals with Bimal (Roy) da, but read the script, worked on that scene internally, and told Bimal da ‘Let’s take the shot’ and it came out right.”
Her filmography is rich and cherished. She acted in classic films like Do Bhai (1947), Nadiya Ke Paar (1948), Ziddi (1948), Shabnam (1949), and Godaan (1963). From the 1960s, she shifted to character roles. She continued to shine in films like Shaheed (1965), Do Raaste (1969), Anhonee (1973), Prem Nagar (1974), and Maha Chor (1976).
Even in recent years, she stayed active. She appeared in Kabir Singh (2019) and Laal Singh Chaddha (2022).
