Satish Kaushik, the mass entertainer for 4 decades, is no more

New Delhi: Veteran Bollywood actor, director, producer and theatre artist Satish Kaushik passed away on early Thursday at the age of 66.

Kaushik is best known for his character roles in Bollywood movies and has also made a mark as a director with his critically acclaimed films. 

Born on April 13, 1956, in Mahendragarh, Haryana, Kaushik completed his education from Kirori Mal College, Delhi University. After completing his education, he moved to Mumbai to try his luck in the film industry. His journey in the industry began in the early 1980s when he started his career as an assistant director to Shekhar Kapur in the movie Masoom.

After working as an assistant director, Satish Kaushik made his debut as an actor in the film Woh Saat Din in 1983. He played a small role in the film, but his performance was appreciated, and he soon started getting more offers. Over the next few years, he appeared in several films, including Ram Lakhan, Tridev, and Mr. India.

However, it was his role in the film, Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, that established him as a talented actor. The film, directed by Kundan Shah, was a satire on the corruption in Indian politics and bureaucracy. Satish Kaushik played the role of a corrupt builder, and his performance was highly appreciated. The film went on to become a cult classic and is considered one of the best comedies in Indian cinema.

After the success of Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, Satish Kaushik appeared in several films, but he was often typecast in supporting roles. He continued to work as an actor in the 1990s and appeared in films such as Karz: The Burden of Truth, Haseena Maan Jaayegi, and Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain.

In the late 1990s, Satish Kaushik turned his attention to direction and made his directorial debut with the film Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja. The film, starring Anil Kapoor and Sridevi, was a big-budget project but failed to do well at the box office. However, Satish Kaushik continued to direct films and went on to make successful movies such as Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain and Tere Naam.

In addition to directing films, Satish Kaushik has also worked as a screenwriter and has written the scripts for several films. Some of his notable works include the films Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, Khoobsurat, and Chameli.

Satish Kaushik has also worked in television and has appeared in several popular shows, including Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, Sumit Sambhal Lega, and Crime Patrol.

In recent years, Satish Kaushik has continued to act in films and has appeared in movies such as Raid, Bharat, and Kaagaz. He has also directed a few films, including the 2020 release Kaagaz, which was based on the life of a man who was declared dead on paper.

Take a look at the 4-decade-long illustrious career of the veteran actor:

Early Career and Directing Debut

Satish Kaushik started his career as a film director with the 1983 film "Roohi" which was based on a Rajasthani folk tale. The film was well-received and won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Rajasthani. He then directed a few more films in the 1980s and early 1990s, such as "Kaagaz Ke Phool" (1985), "Sridevi" (1990), and "Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain" (1999).

Acting Career

Satish Kaushik's acting career took off with the 1983 film "Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro" directed by Kundan Shah. He played the role of a corrupt builder and his performance was widely appreciated. He then went on to act in several films in the 1980s and 1990s such as "Ram Lakhan" (1989), "Saajan Chale Sasural" (1996), "Judwaa" (1997), and "Deewana Mastana" (1997). He also played the lead role in the 1994 film "Tere Naam" directed by Satish Kaushik.

Satish Kaushik is known for his comic timing and has played several memorable comedic roles in films such as "Mr. India" (1987), "Karz" (1980), and "Gupt: The Hidden Truth" (1997). He has also played serious roles in films such as "Brick Lane" (2007) and "Road, Movie" (2010).

Satish Kaushik has also appeared in several international films such as "Brick Lane" (2007) and "The Warrior" (2001). He has also acted in television shows such as "Sumit Sambhal Lega" and "May I Come In Madam?".

Directing Career

Satish Kaushik's directorial career gained momentum in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He directed the hit film "Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain" (1999) which starred Anil Kapoor and Kajol. He then directed the critically acclaimed film "Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai" (2001) which marked the debut of Kareena Kapoor. The film was a commercial success and received positive reviews.

Satish Kaushik then went on to direct several other films such as "Tere Naam" (2003), "Vaada" (2005), and "Milenge Milenge" (2010). He has also directed plays such as "Salesman Ramlal" and "Kaagaz Ke Phool".

Production Career

Satish Kaushik has also produced several films under his production banner, including "Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain" (1999), "Tere Naam" (2003), and "Milenge Milenge" (2010).