By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
‘फुरकत के राज सहना
और मुंह से कुछ ना कहना
बिछड़े हैं आज हम तुम
बिछड़े हैं आज हम तुम
मिलना है फिर जरूर’
Kamini Kausahal featured in many Hindi films of the 1940s & 1950s alongside Dilip Kumar (Shaheed) , Dev Anand (Ziddi), Raj Kapoor (Aag), Ranjan ( Shahanshah), Abhi Bhattacharya (Biraj Bahu) , Jailor (Sohrab Modi) & later with Manoj Kumar (Upkar). She worked with thespian Dilip Kumar in- Shaheed, Nadia Ke Paar, Shabnam & Arzoo. I had purchased one of her photographs from a vendor at Chandni Chowk in 1962. It was a 2B size still from 1950 film ‘Arzoo’ showing both lying on a pile of hay. I also watched her film “Shaheed” at either Kumar or Majestic cinema in Delhi. The film featuring Dilip Kumar & Chandra Mohan had some lovely numbers rendered by Surinder Kaur like ‘Badnaam Na Ho Jaye’, ‘Hum Kahan Aur’ & ‘Aana Hai To Aa Jao. It highlighted struggle for independence.
Dilip Kumar was infatuated with her and wanted to marry the actress but she denied as she was already married. She later became a permanent feature in Manoj Kumar films like-Shaheed, Upkar, Purab Aur Paschim, Sanyasi, Shor, Roti Kapda Aur Makaan & Dus Numbari. She also featured as a glamorous vamp in Sanjeev Kumar, Leena Chandavarkar starrer ‘Anhonee’ (1973) directed by Ravi Tandon.
In mid 1960s the actress started playing side roles beginning with “Shaheed” starring Manoj Kumar, Prem Chopra & Pran. Featured in almost all films produced by Manoj Kumar- Purab Aur Paschim (1970), Shor (1972), Roti Kapda Aur Makaan (1974), Sanyasi (1975), Dus Numbri (1976) and Santosh (1989). Her other notable films include – ‘Vishwas’, ‘Yakeen’, ‘Aadmi Aur Insaan’ & ‘Kabeela’. She featured in “Prem Nagar” starring Rajesh Khanna & Hema Malini as the former’s mother. Khanna played a womanizer & alcoholic in the film. The film was successful at the Box office.
A graduate in English literature from Lahore, Kamini Kaushal started her career with ‘Neecha Nagar’ (1946). The film was highly acclaimed & won Palme d’Or (Golden Palm) at Cannes Film Festival. Directed by Chetan Anand, the film had music by Ravi Shankar. “Biraj Bahu” (1954) won her the Filmfare Award for Best Actress in 1956. In ‘Ziddi’ (1948) she was cast opposite Dev Anand also starring Kuldip Kaur & Pran. It was one of the highest grossing movies of the year 1948 & helped the lead pair to rise & taste stardom. Shaheed (1948) was also a super-hit. She was nominated for #Best Supporting Actress Award for ‘Kabir Singh’ (2020) starring Shahid Kapoor, Kiara Advani & Dolly Minhas, another Box Office hit. Married to BS Sood, the actress continues to feel her beans. Congratulations to her on her Birth Anniversary.
