The golden age of Indian cinema loses one of its most cherished figures today. Veteran actress Kamini Kaushal, widely regarded as one of the finest and, until recently, the oldest living actress in Hindi cinema, has sadly passed away at the age of 98. Her demise marks the end of an extraordinary life and a career that spanned over seven decades, influencing generations of artists.
Sources close to the family confirmed the heartbreaking news, stating that the actress had been dealing with age-related health issues in recent months. The exact cause of death has not been officially disclosed, as the family has requested strict privacy during this intensely difficult time.
Born Uma Kashyap on February 24, 1927, in Lahore, Kamini Kaushal carved out a unique and enduring legacy in Bollywood. She made an explosive debut in 1946 with Chetan Anand’s Neecha Nagar, a film that became a milestone in Indian cinema history. Neecha Nagar went on to win the Palme d’Or (Golden Palm) at the very first Cannes Film Festival in 1946, a distinction no other Indian film has achieved since.
Kaushal dominated the screens as the leading heroine from 1946 to 1963, working with the triumvirate of the time: Raj Kapoor (Aag), Dev Anand, and Dilip Kumar. Her on-screen chemistry with Dilip Kumar was particularly acclaimed, with the duo delivering memorable performances in films like Shaheed (1948), Nadiya Ke Paar (1948), and Arzoo (1950).
Her performance as the unwavering wife, Biraj, in Bimal Roy’s Biraj Bahu (1954), earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Actress in 1956, cementing her reputation for portraying complex, principled female characters with grace and conviction.
In the mid-1960s, Kamini Kaushal transitioned seamlessly to character roles, accepting the shift with characteristic grace and focusing on meaty, supporting parts. She remained a fixture in films through the decades, starring in major hits like Upkaar (1967) and Do Raaste (1969), often playing the dignified mother or maternal figure.
Even in the twilight of her life, she continued to work, bridging the gap between classic cinema and modern Bollywood. Younger audiences fondly remember her as Shah Rukh Khan’s grandmother in Chennai Express (2013) and as Shahid Kapoor’s loving grandmother in Kabir Singh (2019). Her final screen appearance came in Aamir Khan’s 2022 film, Laal Singh Chaddha.
Kamini Kaushal’s personal life was marked by both dedication and sacrifice. She married her brother-in-law, Braham S. Sood, in 1948 after her elder sister Usha tragically died, taking on the responsibility of raising her two young nieces, Kumkum and Kavita, alongside her own children.
Kamini Kaushal is survived by her three sons: Shravan Sood, Vidur Sood, and Rahul Sood.
A source close to the family confirmed the demise and stated, “Kamini Kaushal’s family is extremely low profile, and needs privacy to grieve.” The Bollywood fraternity has begun pouring out tributes, mourning the loss of a cinematic icon whose elegance and talent defined an entire generation of storytelling. Her remarkable life and career will forever remain etched in the annals of Indian film history.
