Amitabh Bachchan Mourns ‘Dear Family Friend’ Kamini Kaushal: ‘One by One They All Are Leaving Us’

Kamini Kaushal’s passing at 98 has left a quiet heaviness across the film industry, the kind that arrives when someone who has simply always been there is suddenly gone. For many, she was a name tied to

classic cinema; for others, she was one of the last gentle links to a very different Bollywood. And for Amitabh Bachchan, she was much more. She was a long-time family friend whose presence stretched back to the pre-Partition years.

The megastar shared a deeply personal note on his blog, remembering Kaushal not just as an accomplished artist but as someone woven into his family history. He wrote, “… and another loss .. a dear family friend of the days of yore .. when there was no partition .. Kamini Kaushal ji .. legendary artist, an icon, who contributed immensely to our Industry and who remained, with us till the very last .. her family and Maa ji’s families were very dear friends in erstwhile pre partition Punjab ..”

Bachchan went on to recall how their families were connected through the generations. “Kamini ji’s elder sister was a very close friend of Maaji .. they were classmates, and a most joyous bunch of like minded friends .. the elder sister passed away regretfully in an accident, and as per the tradition of the times, in such an unfortunate situation, the sister of the deceased was married to the bereaved husband, her brother-in law ..”

Describing Kaushal’s warmth and talent, he added, “A most pleasant warm affectionate and talented artist, has left us .. at the age of 98 .. an era of great remembrance gone .. not just for the film fraternity, but as a member of the friends fraternity .. One by one they all are leaving us .. a most sad moment, filled only now with condolence and prayer .. .. her legendary performances of those early days, now just memories ..”

Kaushal’s career began in 1946 when Chetan Anand cast her in Neecha Nagar, a film that went on to win the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. She later starred opposite icons like Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand and Raj Kapoor before smoothly transitioning into character roles in the 1960s, with memorable appearances in Do Raaste, Prem Nagar and Maha Chor. Even in recent years, she continued to work in big-banner films, including Chennai Express, Laal Singh Chaddha, and Kabir Singh.

Veteran actress Kamini Kaushal’s final rites were performed on Saturday, with an intimate gathering of close family members in attendance. The atmosphere at the Worli crematorium remained solemn as loved ones bid their final farewell.

Her elder son, Vidhur, performed the final rites, leading the traditional Hindu rituals on Saturday morning. Prior to that, Kamini Kaushal’s mortal remains were brought to the crematorium from her residence in Mumbai.

In another poignant moment, the late actress’s pet dogs were also a part of the farewell as members of her family brought along her loyal companions.

May her soul rest in peace!