Satish Kaushik passes away at 66; Anupam Kher, others reach actor-director's house

Bollywood actor and director Satish Kaushik, known for his roles like Calendar in Mr India, passed away at 66 in the early hours of Thursday. Kaushik reportedly succumbed to a heart attack while travelling in a car. Doctors tried reviving Kaushik but he breathed his last on March 9.

He is survived by his wife Shashi and daughter 11-year-old Vanshika Kaushik. Kaushik's post mortem has been conducted and no injury mark has been found on the actor's body, as per news agency ANI. The news agency further reported citing sources that the actor died due to a cardiac arrest.

Meanwhile, celebrities like Satish Kaushik's close friend Anupam Kher, lyricist Javed Akhtar, actor and MP Raj Babbar, producer Harman Baweja, and actor Anup Soni reached Satish Kaushik's residence to pay their last respects to the actor.

Satish Kaushik's niece Anita Kaushik told news agency ANI that the actor has an elder sister and a brother and that he made a place for himself in the hearts of people in real life. Visibly distraught, she said that she wishes she could do something to breathe back life into him.

The news of Kaushik's death was confirmed by his friend and National Award-winning actor Anupam Kher in a tweet.

Kher shared a black-and-white picture of himself and Kaushik and tweeted, “I know ‘death is the ultimate truth of this world!’ But I never thought in my dreams that I would write thing about my best friend Satish Kaushik while alive. Such a sudden full stop on friendship of 45 years!! Life will NEVER be the same without you SATISH! Om Shanti! (sic)”

He also remembered Kaushik and told news agency ANI that both of them came from lower-class families and reached the pinnacle of their careers through sheer hard work. He said, "He was unbelievable, brilliant actor. Both of us come from lower-class families and reached this stage through sheer hard work... He was fantastic, touched people's lives. It'll be difficult for me to deal with this loss."

Kher was not the only one to extend his condolences to the departed soul and the bereaved family. Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut also took to Twitter to give her last respects to the veteran actor-director.

Ranaut wrote, “Woke up to this horrible news, he was my biggest cheerleader, a very successful actor and director Satish Kaushik ji personally was also a very kind and genuine man. I loved directing him in Emergency. He will be missed, Om Shanti (sic).” Ranaut and Kaushik feature as former Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi and independence activist Jagjivan Ram in the film which will be released in October this year.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in paying tributes to the actor-director who enthralled audiences with his performance as the shrewd stock market broker Manu Manek in Scam 1992. Prime Minister Modi tweeted, “Pained by the untimely demise of noted film personality Shri Satish Kaushik ji. He was a creative genius who won hearts thanks to his wonderful acting and direction. His works will continue to entertain audiences. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti.”

Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar shared a still from his 1997 film Mr and Mrs Khiladi on Twitter and wrote, "Chanda Mama is gone. Deeply saddened to hear about Satish Kaushik ji's demise. Will remember him for the spontaneous laughter he brought to the sets of Mr and Mrs Khiladi. Am sure he's already making everyone smile in heaven."

Superstar Salman Khan, who worked with Kaushik in the 2003 superhit film Tere Naam said that he will always remember the late actor-director for the man that he was. Khan tweeted, "Always loved, cared and respected him and shall always remember him for the man that he was. May his soul rest in peace and strength to family and loved ones.. RIP Satish ji."

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also paid his last respects to the Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron actor and said his contribution to Indian cinema, artistic creations and performances will always be remembered. the Home Minister tweeted, "Deeply saddened by the sudden demise of actor, director and writer Satish Kaushik ji. His contribution to Indian cinema, artistic creations and performances will always be remembered. My deepest condolences to his bereaved family and followers. Om Shanti Shanti."

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari tweeted, "I am profoundly grieved by the sudden demise of the renowned actor, director, and writer Satish Kaushik ji. His substantial contributions to Indian cinema,artistic creations, and performances will be cherished and remembered for a long time to come. My heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family. Om Shanti."

Actor and Congress MP Raj Babbar wrote a heartwrenching obituary for his jovial and sharp NSD buddy. Babbar wrote, "Could never have thought about writing an obit for Satish Kaushik. Jovial and Sharp, NSD buddy and someone so close to my family. Virtuously talented, his wit and comic which perhaps came from his love for theatre were a treat. To wake up to this has been so hard for Nadira. Will miss you so much."

Director Madhur Bhandarkar, known for films like Page 3 and Indu Sarkar, also paid his last respects to the actor. Bhandarkar said the actor was always vibrant, energetic, and full of life. He tweeted, "I am so shocked to hear the demise of actor-director Satish Kaushik ji, who was always vibrant, energetic and full of life, he will be missed immensely by the film fraternity and millions of admirers. My deepest condolences to his family members."

Director Vivek Agnihotri, known for films like The Kashmir Files and Buddha in a Traffic Jam paid a poetic tribute to the Udta Punjab actor. Agnihotri shared a picture of himself with Kaushik and wrote, "It was just yesterday... What to say, how to say...Those taunts, those tales, those holding hands, "You don't understand conscience, listen to elders..." That obsession of 10,000 steps... Those stories, those films that were to be made... All missing, everyone is silent. om Shanti Satish Kaushik! Artists like you never die."

Actor Tusshar Kapoor also mourned the death of the veteran in a lengthy Instagram post.He wrote, " I still haven’t been able to come to terms with the terrible news I’ve woken up to this morning! Speechless right now as I’m struggling to wrap myself around the shock and it all continues to seem unbelievable! Words cannot describe what Satish ji meant to me and my journey in the film industry. It all began with him and he was like a father to me! He was an institution in his own right and now, with his passing on a huge loss to our fraternity! My prayers are with his soul and my deepest condolences to his family and friends like me! Will miss you sir, until we’re back on set together again! Goodbye, RIP (sic)."

Subhash Ghai, Suniel Shetty, Arbaaz Khan, Ranvir Shorey, Renuka Shahane, and Gulshan Devaiah also paid their last respects to the deceased artist.

Satish Kaushik was born on April 13, 1956, in Haryana. Kaushik was a theatre artist before finding his footing in Bollywood. He was known for his performances in films like Mr India (1987), Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron (1983), Saajan Chale Sasural (1996), Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (1998), Udta Punjab (2016), and Soorma (2018).

He was also seen in Rishi Kapoor’s last film Sharmaji Namkeen, which was released on Amazon Prime Video in 2022. The maverick actor also won the Filmfare Best Comedian Award for Ram Lakhan in 1990 and for Saajan Chale Sasural in 1997.

Kaushik is also known for directing films like Roop ki Rani Choron ka Raja (1993), Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai (2000), Tere Naam (2003), Dhol (2007), and Kaagaz (2021).

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