Kamini Kaushal, Dharmendra's first co-actress and seasoned star, dies at 98

Dubai: Veteran Bollywood icon Kamini Kaushal, regarded as India’s oldest living film actress till her demise, has died at the age of 98. Her career spanned more than seven decades, a remarkable era that bridged the golden age of Hindi cinema and contemporary filmmaking.

Born as Uma Kashyap in Lahore in February 1927, she made her screen debut in the 1946 film Neecha Nagar, which went on to win the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. Over the years, she delivered memorable performances in films such as Biraj Bahu (for which she won the Filmfare Best Actress award in 1956). She later re-emerged in character roles in modern hits like Kabir Singh (2019) and Laal Singh Chaddha (2022).

Kamini Kaushal also made a significant contribution to Indian television. Her Doordarshan show, Chand Sitare, became extremely popular, introducing her to a new generation that admired her elegance and screen presence.

Her passing marks the end of a luminous era in Indian cinema, one that saw the transition from black-and-white classics to the present-day multiplex world. Tributes have poured in from across the film fraternity, celebrating not only her body of work but also her dignity, elegance and enduring presence on screen. Her family has requested privacy as they mourn this loss. Kamini Kaushal’s legacy lives on through a filmography that inspired generations of actors and audiences alike — a testament to a life devoted to cinema.