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Kamini Kaushal Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 6, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Age98 Years (at time of death)

BirthplaceLahore, Punjab Province, British India (now Punjab, Pakistan)

ProfessionActor, Film Producer

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

SpouseBraham S Sood

FamilyThree sons; two stepdaughters from elder sister; father Prof. Shiv Ram Kashyap

Kamini Kaushal Biography

Veteran Indian actress and producer Kamini Kaushal, born Uma Kashyap, enjoyed a film career spanning decades. She earned early acclaim for Neecha Nagar (de

Early life and background

Born Uma Kashyap in Lahore during the time of British India, Kamini Kaushal went on to study at Kinnaird College for Women, Lahore, where she completed a BA (honours) in English Literature. From childhood she tasted performance: she acted in a film directed by her brother at age seven and took part in a radio play while still a child. In college she remained active in theatre and radio, performing in broadcasts that brought her to the attention of filmmakers.

Career

Kamini Kaushal made her feature-film debut in Neecha Nagar (1946), a performance that brought her international recognition early in her career. Over the following decades she built a diverse body of work in Hindi cinema, appearing in landmark films such as Nadiya Ke Paar (1948), Ziddi (1948), Biraj Bahu (1955) and Godaan (1963). Her range included leading roles, character parts and supporting performances well into the 21st century.

She also worked behind the camera as a producer. She ran a production company named Gudia Ghar Productions and produced the 1953 film Chalis Baba Ek Chor. Her film credits span genres and eras: she acted in mainstream Hindi hits, provided playback singing in the 1977 film Gyaniji, and took on supporting roles in later commercial successes such as Chennai Express (2013) and Kabir Singh (2019).

Kamini’s career included notable collaborations with major stars. She worked with Manoj Kumar on multiple films, and she was paired opposite Rajesh Khanna in several pictures. Internationally, she appeared on British television in the BBC serial The Jewel in the Crown (1984), portraying Aunt Shalini. She also created television work for Indian audiences, including a puppet show for Doordarshan titled Chand Sitare (1989) and serial appearances in Waqt Ki Raftar (1999) and Shanno Ki Shaadi (2005).

Recognition and awards

Her acting was honoured early and late: she was part of the cast of Neecha Nagar, which won recognition at the Montreal Film Festival, and she received the Filmfare Award for Best Actress for Biraj Bahu in 1955. Over the years she collected additional honours, including a BFJA Award, a Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award, and other lifetime achievement recognitions.

Public profile

Kamini became a visible figure beyond film roles. She was the first Indian actress to appear on the cover of Filmfare magazine in March 1952. Her screen image also extended to advertising, where she appeared in print campaigns for brands such as Lux and Surf. She trained in Bharatanatyam under K. Mahalingam Pillai and was known for a personal style detail of wearing a flower in her hair.

Her name on screen—Kamini—was adopted at the suggestion of filmmaker Chetan Anand, who had first noticed her work on radio and cast her in Neecha Nagar. She also wrote stories for the children’s magazine Paraag, creating recurring characters inspired by family members.

Personal life

Kamini Kaushal married Braham S Sood, a chief engineer at the Bombay Port Trust. The couple lived in a house allotted to Sood by the Port Trust in Mazagaon. She was the mother of three sons, including filmmaker Rahul Sood, and was stepmother to two daughters from her elder sister. Her father, Prof. Shiv Ram Kashyap, was a noted botany professor at the University of Punjab in Lahore.

She maintained a disciplined personal regimen: she once said she did not smoke or drink, and she kept numerous pets throughout her life, ranging from dogs and cats to rabbits and other animals. Her interests extended to organizing cultural events and meeting public figures; she was among the actresses who participated in events attended by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Latest updates

Kamini Kaushal continued to be active in film and television into her later years, taking on character roles that introduced her to new audiences. She passed away at her home in Mumbai on 14 November 2025 from age-related ailments.
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Recent Work

Kabir Singh

Supporting actor in the Hindi film Kabir Singh

2019
Chennai Express

Supporting actor in the Hindi film Chennai Express

2013
The Jewel in the Crown

Played Aunt Shalini in the BBC TV serial

1984
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Career Highlights

  1. Debut in Neecha Nagar (1946) which received international recognition
  2. Filmfare Award for Best Actress for Biraj Bahu (1955)
  3. First Indian actress on the cover of Filmfare (1952)
  4. Produced films under Gudia Ghar Productions
  5. Long career with roles in major Hindi films and British television
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kamini Kaushal known for?

Actor, Film Producer

What is Kamini Kaushal’s marital status?

Married

Who is Kamini Kaushal married to?

Braham S Sood