Veteran actress Kamini Kaushal passes away
Veteran Indian actress Kamini Kaushal, best known for her rich legacy that shaped the foundation of Indian cinema, has passed away at the age of 98 after dealing with multiple health issues in recent months.
The heartbreaking news was confirmed by her family, requesting space to grieve peacefully.
Following the announcement of her demise, tributes poured in from across the film fraternity. Actors, directors, and fans alike remembered her not only as a gifted performer but also as a kind, humble soul who brought joy to every set she worked on.
Born Kamini Kaushal on January 24, 1927, in Lahore to renowned botanist Professor S. R. Kashyap, Kamini originally named Uma Kashyap was the youngest of 6 siblings. She lost her father at the age of 7, yet her talent surfaced early. She excelled in academics, created her own puppet theatre at 10, and performed in radio dramas on All India Radio.
Filmmaker Chetan Anand discovered her after hearing her on radio and, impressed by her voice, cast her in Neecha Nagar. Since his wife’s name was also Uma, he gave her the screen name Kamini. She made her debut in 1946 and quickly rose to fame, becoming one of the most celebrated actresses of her time.
Kamini later became known for her memorable on-screen mother roles, especially opposite actor Manoj Kumar. Her major films include Shaheed, Nadiya Ke Paar, Aag, Ziddi, Shabnam, Aarzoo, and Biraj Bahu, for which she won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress in 1954.
Admired for both her acting and timeless beauty, she worked with stars across generations. In recent years, she appeared as Shahid Kapoor’s grandmother in Kabir Singh and as Shah Rukh Khan’s grandmother in Chennai Express.