"She had a passion for life."
On Friday, November 14, 2025, the veteran actress Kamini Kaushal passed away due to age-related health issues. She was 98 years old.
Kaushal was born on February 24, 1927, and she made her acting debut in Chetan Anand’s Neecha Nagar (1946).
Over seven decades, Kaushal built a legacy as one of the Indian film industry’s finest actresses.
At the peak of her career, she starred with many leading men of her time, including Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand, Raj Kapoor, and Raaj Kumar.
Kamini Kaushal was also one of the first heroines of her time, known for speaking English fluently.
She was also proficient in dance, including Bharatnatyam.
Kaushal was the first leading lady for whom Lata Mangeshkar sang. This was in the film Ziddi (1948), in which Kaushal played Asha.
Produced by Ashok Kumar, the film also established Dev Anand as a leading man.
Ziddi also contained the first duet of Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar. It was called ‘Yeh Kaun Aaya Re‘.
Talking about her association with Mangeshkar, Kaushal reflected:
“Lata sang for me in Ziddi for the first time. That was the first time she sang for the leading lady in a film.
“Before that, she sang for actresses in supporting roles.
“Shamshad Begum and Surinder Kaur — whose voices had more bass — used to sing my songs.
“On the music credits on the record, Lata’s name was not mentioned.
“Instead, it was mentioned that Asha sang the songs — Asha was my screen name [in Ziddi].
“That’s why people thought I had sung it.”
In 1956, Kaushal won the Filmfare ‘Best Actress’ award for her performance in Biraj Bahu (1956).
From the 1960s, she switched to character roles in films such as Shaheed (1965), Upkar (1967), and Shor (1972).
The actress admitted that she had fallen in love with her frequent co-star, Dilip Kumar.
However, nothing came of the relationship, as she was already married to Braham S Sood.
Several people paid tribute to Kaushal after her death.
The Film Heritage Foundation wrote: “We were deeply saddened to hear of the demise of Kamini Kaushal at the age of 98.
“One of the finest actresses in the golden era of Indian cinema, Kamini Kaushal, featured in the film Neecha Nagar (1946), which won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
“We are privileged that she donated her material to our archive for preservation.”
“She had a passion for life and was one of the most erudite people we knew.
“Every conversation with her was a learning. We will miss her. RIP Kamini Ji.”
We were deeply saddened to hear of the demise of Kamini Kaushal at the age of 98. One of the finest actresses in the golden era of Indian cinema, Kamini Kaushal featured in the film “Neecha Nagar” (1946) that won the Palme D’Or at the Cannes Film Festival… pic.twitter.com/e5B34Z22EF
— Film Heritage Foundation (@FHF_Official) November 14, 2025
Another user said: “Veteran actress Kamini Kaushal has passed away, leaving behind an unforgettable legacy in Indian cinema.
“A true icon of the golden era, her grace, talent and timeless performances will always be remembered. May her soul rest in peace.”
More recently, Kaushal appeared in movies including Chennai Express (2013), Kabir Singh (2019), and Laal Singh Chaddha (2022).
Her role in Kabir Singh garnered her acclaim, for which she earned a Filmfare nomination.
In Laal Singh Chaddha, Kaushal had a cameo appearance as a woman in a train who listens to Laal’s (Aamir Khan) story.
This was her final film appearance.
We pay tribute to Kamini Kaushal – a shining star who will always be remembered in the history of Indian cinema.
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