Yesteryear Film Star Kumkum Passes Away At The Age Of 86

Veteran actress Kumkum died at the age of 86 on Tuesday. She was known for her roles in film such as Mother India, Kohinoor, Ujala and Ek Sapera Ek Lootera.

New Delhi: Mother India actress Zaibunnissa, who was known as Kumkum, passed away on Tuesday (July 28). The veteran actress worked in over a hundred movies and made her debut in Guru Dutt’s Aar Paar in 1954. She was born in 1934 in Hussainabad in Sheikhpura district, Bihar. Her father was nawab of Hussainabad and the family was well-known. Her notable films are Mother India, Kohinoor, Ujala, Ek Sapera Ek Lootera, Naya Daur, Raja Aur Runk, Geet, Aankhen, Lalkar etc. She also played the lead role in the first Bhojpuri film 'Ganga Maiya Tohe Piyari Chadhaibo'. She was trained in Kathak by the famous Pandit Shambhu Maharaj. She showed her dancing talents in the film Kohinoor (1960) with Dilip Kumar. Kumkum worked with A-listers of her era. She had worked with Vinod Khanna in Dhamkee in 1973. Their duet song "Chand Kya Hai Roop Ka Darpan" became a major hit. She even worked with Pran in the blockbuster comedy film Ek Kuwara Ek Kuwari. She was discovered by Guru Dutt who made her star in the infamous song "Kabhi Aar Kabhi Paar Laaga Teere Nazar" for his movie Aar Paar (1954). The song was supposed to have Dutt's friend Jagdeep but it was later decided to picturise this song on a female actor. For the uninitiated, no one was ready to act in that one song, which is why Guru Dutt cast Kumkum. After her marriage, she retired from the film industry and led a quiet life. Many celebs paid tribute to the veteran star on social media.

yesteryear's film actress KUMKUM aunty, passed away, she was 86. she did so many films; songs & dances where picturized on her. did so many movies opposite dad #johnnywalker pic.twitter.com/Me63j4pd1Z

— Nasirr Khan (@khanasirr) July 28, 2020

Writer and Director Naved Jafri has also tweeted about her.

We have lost another gem. I have known her since I was a kid and she was family, a superb artist and a fantastic human being, innalillahe wa innailaihe raajeoon. Rest in peace kunkum aunty ???? #ripkumkum #kumkum pic.twitter.com/CT60alQbOC

— Naved Jafri (@NavedJafri_BOO) July 28, 2020

We extend our deepest condolences to Kumkum's family.