Jaya Bachchan and Waheeda Rehman Attend Kamini Kaushal’s Prayer Meet; Absence of Other Stars Raises Questions

They say that true talent deserves to be honoured with the same dignity even after death, just as it deserved during its lifetime. But the prayer meet of legendary actress Kamini Kaushal once again reminded us of a bitter truth. After the 98-year-old actress passed away, the prayer meet organized in Mumbai saw the presence of two iconic figures—Jaya Bachchan and Waheeda Rehman—who offered their emotional tributes. Jaya Bachchan arrived in a white salwar suit, while Waheeda Rehman was seen in a black floral saree. The two greeted each other warmly with a hug and reminisced about the moments they had shared with Kamini Kaushal.

However, amid the presence of these two legends, the absence of several big names from Bollywood and the film industry raised an important question: do we really give our senior artists the respect they truly deserve for their life and contribution? For an extraordinary actress like Kamini Kaushal, whose legacy is etched in golden letters in the history of Hindi cinema, the silence at her final farewell was deeply painful and concerning.

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Kamini Kaushal was the only actress in Hindi cinema who continued acting for the longest time even after marriage. Her last film was Laal Singh Chaddha, where she appeared on screen at the age of 95. She also played Shahid Kapoor’s grandmother in Kabir Singh and appeared as Shah Rukh Khan’s grandmother in Chennai Express.

Speaking of her life, she was born on 24 February 1927 in Lahore, British India. She was the youngest among two brothers and three sisters. Her father was a botany professor at Punjab University, Lahore. She was the daughter of Professor Shiv Ram Kashyap, who is known as the father of Indian botany.

Debut with ‘Neecha Nagar’

Kamini Kaushal made her Bollywood debut in 1946 with Neecha Nagar. Based on social inequality and the struggle between the rich and the poor, the film won the Best Film award at the Cannes Film Festival. It remains the first and only Indian film to win the Palme d'Or at Cannes. The film starred Kamini Kaushal alongside actors Rafique Anwar and Uma Anand.

It was Chetan Anand who gave her the name “Kamini Kaushal” to avoid confusion between the two Umas working on the film. Through Neecha Nagar, Kamini not only proved her exceptional acting skills but also brought Indian cinema international recognition.

Key Films of Kamini Kaushal

Kamini Kaushal was one of the most iconic personalities in Indian cinema, with over 90 films to her credit. Her notable films include Shaheed (1948), Nadiya Ke Paar (1948), Aag (1948), Ziddi (1948), Paras, Shabnam (1949), Arzoo (1950), Jhanjar (1953), Biraj Bahu (1954), Aabroo (1956), Bade Sarkar (1957), Jailor (1958), Night Club (1958), and Godaan (1963).
For Biraj Bahu, she won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress in 1954. Apart from her acting, her beauty was widely admired, and she worked with stars from every era.

In addition to films, she also worked in several television shows, including Chaand Sitare on Doordarshan, Shanno Ki Shaadi on Star Plus, and Waqt Ki Raftaar on DD National.

Most Highly Paid Actress for Three Decades

From the 1940s to the 1960s, Kamini Kaushal remained one of the highest-paid actresses in Bollywood. She received the Best Actress Award in 1956 for Biraj Bahu, and in 2015, Filmfare honoured her with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Personal Life

Kamini Kaushal’s personal life held far more pain and sacrifice than glamour. In 1947, tragedy struck when her elder sister died in a car accident, leaving behind two little daughters—Kumkum and Kavita. At that time, Kamini was only around 20–21 years old and at the peak of her career, but family responsibility fell on her shoulders.
In 1948, she married her deceased sister’s husband, B.S. Sood, who was the Chief Engineer at the Bombay Port Trust. Kamini settled in Mumbai and raised both her nieces as her own daughters. After 1955, she had three sons—Rahul, Vidur, and Shravan. Today, Kumkum Somany is an author known for her work on Gandhian philosophy, while Kavita Sahni is a well-known artist.

Unfinished Love Story with Dilip Kumar

During this time, another story was unfolding—her deep bond with Dilip Kumar. During the shooting of films like Shaheed, Nadiya Ke Paar, and Shabnam, both grew so close that Bollywood considered them a true pair. Dilip Kumar often said that talking to or working with Kamini brought him peace.
But when Dilip Kumar spoke of moving their relationship forward, a harsh truth surfaced—Kamini was already married and raising two daughters. Leaving her family was impossible for her. Moreover, her brother strongly opposed the relationship. According to legend, her brother told Dilip Kumar bluntly, “This relationship is not possible.”

Thus, the love story ended—not with drama, not with scandal—but with silent acceptance and lifelong respect.
Even decades later, whenever Kamini was asked about Dilip Kumar, her eyes would fill with tears. She would say, “There was no one like Dilip Sahab—he never said anything for show. As great as he was as an actor, he was an even greater human being.”
And her respect for Saira Banu was equally heartfelt: “The way Saira cares for Dilip Sahab, celebrates his birthdays, and looks after every little thing—it's truly remarkable. I respect her a lot.”

Kamini Kaushal never boasted about her sacrifices, nor turned her unfulfilled love into regret. She quietly fulfilled her duties, gave her nieces motherly love, and devoted her life to cinema. That is why even today, when her name is mentioned, people say—“She wasn’t just a woman; she was an era’s dignity.”

Today, when only two legendary actresses attended her prayer meet, it was heartbreaking. This is our society—praise while alive, silence after death. Even a personality like Kamini Kaushal is forgotten so easily. But the truth is, she will live forever—through her films, her simplicity, and her grace, which have become rare in today’s world.

Her true tribute would be to revisit her films and narrate her stories to the next generation.

BolIyy family pays heartfelt homage to Kamini Kaushal. Her dedication to her craft and her simplicity will remain immortal in Indian cinema.

FAQs

1. When did Kamini Kaushal die?

Kamini Kaushal passed away at the age of 98, after which a prayer meeting was organised for her in Mumbai.

2. Who attended the prayer meeting?

Many eminent personalities, including Jaya Bachchan and Waheeda Rehman, attended the prayer meeting.

3. How did Jaya Bachchan reach the prayer meeting?

Jaya Bachchan reached the prayer meeting wearing a white salwar-suit and looked very emotional.

4. How was Waheeda Rehman's look?

Waheeda Rehman was seen in a black floral saree and paid tribute in a very simple manner.

5. What special moment was seen in the prayer meeting?

The most emotional moment was when Jaya Bachchan and Waheeda Rehman hugged each other and remembered Kamini Kaushal.

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