Neecha Nagar (1946) and Biraj Bahu (1954) are two of her most famous movies.She went on to star in many successful films opposite leading actors like Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor, and Dev Anand. After transitioning to character roles in the 1960s, she became well-known for playing mothers in films like Shaheed (1965) and Upkar (1967).
She was ninety-eight.
.Born in Lahore on 24 February, 1927, she did her BA (Honours) in English literature from Government College, Lahore. Legendary filmmaker Chetan Anand gave her a break in Neecha Nagar. From 1937-40, she worked as a radio child artist as Uma. Amongst the industry’s highest paid actress in the late 1940s and early 1950s, Kaushal starred opposite the triumvirate of Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand and Raj Kapoor before moving on to character roles in the 1960s. Her last screen appearance was in Aamir Khan’s 2022 film Laal Singh Chaddha at the age of 95, making for a remarkable 76 year in the movies.
“She died at her Mumbai home late on Thursday night. She would have turned 99 in February,” Sajan Narain, a close friend of the family, told PTI. New Delhi, Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan penned a note on his social media as he remembered late actor Kamini Kaushal, calling her a “legendary artist” and an “icon” who contributed immensely to Hindi cinema.The “Sholay” actor wrote a lengthy note on his X handle on Saturday as he remembered the actor.
“And another loss .. a dear family friend of the days of yore .. when there was no partition .. Kamini Kaushal ji .. legendary artist , an icon , who contributed immensely to our Industry and who remained, with us till the very last … her family and Maa ji’s families were very dear friends in erstwhile pre-partition Punjab.
“Kamini ji’s elder sister was a very close friend of Maaji .. they were classmates, and a most joyous bunch of like minded friends .. the elder sister passed away regretfully in an accident, and as per the tradition of the times , in such an unfortunate situation, the sister of the deceased was married to the bereaved husband , her brother-in law,” he wrote.
“A most pleasant warm affectionate and talented artist , has left us .. at the age of 98 .. an era of great remembrance gone .. not just for the film fraternity, but as a member of the friends fraternity .. One by one they all are leaving us .. a most sad moment , filled only now with condolence and prayer,” he added.
After the success of “Neecha Nagar”, Kaushal worked extensively with the triumvirate of Hindi cinema Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand and Raj Kapoor in films such as “Jail Yatra”, “Do Bhai”, “Aag”, “Shaheed”, “Nadiya Ke Par”, “Ziddi”, “Shabnam” and “Arzoo”.
She played the lead role in filmmaker Bimal Roy’s acclaimed 1954 movie “Biraj Bahu”, which won a National Film Award and earned her a Filmfare award for best actress.
Kaushal also essayed the lead role in the movie adaptation of Premchand’s famous novel “Godaan”.
With Manoj Kumar’s 1967 hit “Upkar”, she transitioned to motherly parts on screen. She was just 40 at the time.
Kaushal went on to star in Kumar’s other hit films such as “Purab Aur Paschim”, “Sanyasi”, “Shor”, “Roti Kapda Aur Makaan”, “Dus Numbari” and “Santosh”.
