Indian cinema legend Kamini Kaushal is no more

Actress dies at her Mumbai residence at age 98

Veteran Indian actress Kamini Kaushal, one of the few remaining links between Pakistan and pre-partition Indian cinema, passed away at her Mumbai residence at the age of 98, Indian media reported on Friday.

India's PTI quoted a close family friend, Sajan?Narain, as confirming the death of the legendary actress in the early hours of Friday - just three months before her 99th birthday. She is survived by her three sons: Shravan, Vidur, and Rahul.

Kaushal's death marks the end of an era in Indian cinema. Her lasting contributions — from her early work in the 1940s to her later career roles — ensure she will be remembered not just as an actress, but as a living bridge between Bollywood's past and present.

Born Uma Kashyap on February 24, 1927, in Lahore, Kamini held a Bachelor of Arts degree. Her remarkable film career spanned over seven decades, appearing alongside legends such as Dilip?Kumar, Raj Kapoor, and Dev Anand.

She first shot to fame with her screen debut in 'Neecha Nagar' (1946), a landmark film that won the Grand Prix at the first Cannes Film Festival. In the 1950s and '60s, she delivered critically acclaimed performances in 'Biraj Bahu', 'Shaheed', 'Do Raaste', 'Anhonee', and 'Prem Nagar'.

Later in her career, Kaushal transitioned seamlessly into character roles. She was particularly admired for her supporting work in Manoj?Kumar's films, such as 'Upkar' and 'Purab Aur Paschim'.

In more recent years, she appeared in mainstream hits like 'Chennai Express' and 'Kabir Singh'. Her final appearance on screen was in Aamir Khan's 'Laal Singh Chaddha' (2022), at the age of 95. Off-screen, she was known for leading a dignified life.

Her passing has triggered an outpouring of grief across the industry. Stars including Kareena Kapoor Khan, Shahid Kapoor, Kiara Advani, and Gulshan Devaiah expressed their condolences, calling her a timeless inspiration.