Home / Arts and Entertainment / Pioneering Bollywood Star Kamini Kaushal Leaves Lasting Legacy
Pioneering Bollywood Star Kamini Kaushal Leaves Lasting Legacy
14 Nov
Summary
- Kamini Kaushal, a pioneering Bollywood actress, passed away at 98
- She starred in classics like 'Neecha Nagar' and was the first leading lady of Dilip Kumar and Dev Anand
- Kaushal won the Filmfare Best Actress award for her role in 'Biraj Bahu' in 1954
Kamini Kaushal, a pioneering figure in Bollywood, passed away on November 10, 2025 at her Mumbai residence at the age of 98. Kaushal, whose real name was Uma, made her film debut in 1946 with the classic 'Neecha Nagar', which won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival.
Over the course of her illustrious career, Kaushal went on to become the first leading lady of two of Bollywood's biggest stars - Dilip Kumar and Dev Anand. She starred alongside Kumar in films like 'Nadiya Ke Par', 'Shaheed', 'Shabnam', and 'Arzoo', often billed above the legendary actor. Kaushal also appeared with Dev Anand in the 1948 hit 'Ziddi'.
The high point of Kaushal's acting career came in 1954 when she won the Filmfare Best Actress award for her performance in Bimal Roy's 'Biraj Bahu', based on a Saratchandra novel. The Times of India praised her "dignified, refined, sympathetic, beautiful" portrayal of the title character.
In the latter part of her career, Kaushal transitioned into character roles, appearing in films like 'Upkar', 'Do Raaste', and 'Anhonee'. She was known for her versatility and continued to captivate audiences until her retirement. Kaushal's passing marks the end of an era for Indian cinema, as the industry mourns the loss of one of its most iconic and pioneering stars.
