Kumkum is no more

Gurnaaz Kaur

From among the actors who added colour in our lives in the times of monochrome and sepia tone, Kumkum, whose real name was Zaibunnissa, passed away on July 28 at her Bandra residence due to age-related issues. She was 86. Kumkum was best known for her roles in films like Mr. X in Bombay, Mother India, Son of India, Kohinoor, Ujala, Naya Daur, Shreeman Funtoosh, Ek Sapera Ek Lutera, Ganga Ki Leheren, Raja Aur Runk, Ankhen, Lalkaar, Geet and Ek Kuwara Ek Kuwari.

Yesteryear actor Jagdeep’s son Naved Jaffrey broke the news on Twitter. He wrote, “We have lost another gem. I have known her since I was a kid and she was family, a superb artiste and a fantastic human being.”

Her co-actor Kiran Kumar called her a lovely lady and said, “I hope she has gone to a better place. We worked together in Jalte Badan. Being a senior, she gave me a lot of tips. Even as a person she was very helpful and caring; she would bring lunch and tell me to eat this and that! We’ve been next door neighbours in Bandra, knowing her has been a great experience.”

Screen presence

Having acted in over 100 films, she was discovered by actor-director Guru Dutt, who gave Kumkum a break in his 1954 film Aar Paar as a dancer. It was an uncredited role, but she later earned another small role Guru Dutt’s Pyaasa in 1957.

Songs such as Yeh Hai Bombay Meri Jaan, Madhuban Mein Radkhika Nache Re and Mere Mehboob Qayamat Hogi made her famous. She co-starred with Shammi Kapoor in Mem Saheb and Char Dil Char Raahein, with Dilip Kumar in Kohinoor, but she was most popular for her movies and songs opposite Kishore Kumar. Some of their well-known performances include the songs Sultana Sultana from Shreeman Funtoosh, Ijazat Ho Toh from Haaye Mera Dil and Machalti Hui from Ganga Ki Leheren.

The actress was a favourite of writer-director Ramanand Sagar, who gave her the role of Dharmendra’s sister in Ankhen, which was a superhit . Geet, Lalkar and Jalte Badan are other films by the director, which had Kumkum in the main role.