MUMBAI, India — Kamini Kaushal, one of Indian cinema’s most enduring and celebrated actresses, has died at the age of 98. She had been facing age-related health complications, according to people close to the family.
A family friend said the Kaushal family prefers to maintain privacy during this period. “Kamini Kaushal’s family is extremely low profile and needs privacy,” the source said.
Born in Lahore as the youngest of five siblings, Kaushal became a towering figure in Hindi cinema with a career spanning several decades and more than 90 films. She made her debut in “Neecha Nagar,” the groundbreaking film that won the Palme d’Or at the 1946 Cannes Film Festival.
She went on to deliver acclaimed performances in landmark films such as “Shaheed,” “Nadiya Ke Paar,” “Shabnam,” “Arzoo,” and “Biraj Bahu.” Her extensive body of work also included “Do Bhai,” “Ziddi,” “Paras,” “Namoona,” “Jhanjar,” “Aabroo,” “Bade Sarkar,” “Jailor,” “Night Club,” and “Godaan.”
Kaushal also had a successful career on television, most notably with the Doordarshan series “Chand Sitare.”
Over the years, she worked with some of Indian cinema’s greatest stars, including Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor, Dev Anand, and Ashok Kumar. Her on-screen pairing with Dilip Kumar — particularly in “Nadiya Ke Paar,” “Shaheed,” “Shabnam,” and “Aarzoo” — was widely admired.
Even in her later years, Kaushal remained connected to the film industry. Her final appearance came in the 2022 film “Laal Singh Chaddha,” starring Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor.
She is survived by her sons Shravan, Vidur, and Rahul Sood. (Source: IANS)
