Satish Kaushik, Bollywood’s veteran actor and director passed away at the age of 66 in India’s capital Delhi. According to his nephew Nishaan Kaushik, the actor had a heart attack on Thursday morning. He was traveling in a car at the time and was taken to the hospital, where the doctors declared him dead on arrival.
In the Hindi film industry, Kaushik worked as an actor, producer, comedian, and screenwriter, among other tasks he took up.
His breakout performance was as ‘Calendar’, a cook, in the 1987 popular film Mr. India. His comic timing, for which he would later be renowned, was perfectly portrayed in the role. A generation of Bollywood fans was raised on practical jokes, parodies, and satire based on the legendary Calendar figure.
In the movie, Kaushik’s Calendar looks after and provides food for a bunch of orphaned kids. His frequent encounters with the kids result in amusing conversations and circumstances.
Children in the movie would frequently say, “Calendar khana do,” which translated to, “Calendar, give us food,” and it became a common phrase among Indian children growing up in the 1990s.
In a number of other movies, including Ram Lakhan, Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, and Deewana Mastana, he portrayed memorable roles.
His success was the result of many years of laborious effort. Kaushik, who was born on April 13th, 1956, grew up in Delhi’s Karol Bagh neighborhood in a middle-class household. As he continued his education at Kirori Mal College in the capital, his passion for theater grew.
His early experiences influenced him as a writer, director, and performer. Though he subsequently enrolled in the National School of Drama, his time at the esteemed Film and Television Institute of India was the catalyst for his desire to work in Bollywood.
He was active on Twitter and frequently posted reflections on his professional life. He tweeted a picture of himself arriving in Mumbai, India, in 1979 to pursue his dream of becoming an actor, and the response to the message was overwhelming.
Though Kaushik always cherished his time as the legendary Calendar, he frequently lamented the way it pigeonholed him into comedic parts. While talking to The Indian Express, an Indian newspaper, he said, “I played Calendar in one movie, and everyone thought I can only make people laugh. And I ended up doing that in 150 films.”
He finally broke out of the mould, though, taking on serious roles in movies like Calcutta Mail and experimenting with evil characters. His talent, however, extended beyond acting; he also created or directed a number of blockbuster movies, including Tere Naam, Prem, Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain, and Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja.
To be recognised, he had to battle stereotypes as well. He was frequently criticized for being “too dark” or “too overweight” to portray lead roles, but he persisted because he had an unwavering passion for movies.
He has recently produced a number of movies about issues that are important to millions of people.
His final film, Kaagaz (2021), told the tale of a man who was officially pronounced dead on paper.
Entire Bollywood and even political people gave condolences and paid their tributes to the actor. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi mourned the death of the actor saying, “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.”
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.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 9, 2023
Bollywood actor Anupam Kher also mourned the death of his longtime friend. “Life will NEVER be the same without you SATISH !”, he wrote on Twitter.
जानता हूँ “मृत्यु ही इस दुनिया का अंतिम सच है!” पर ये बात मैं जीते जी कभी अपने जिगरी दोस्त #SatishKaushik के बारे में लिखूँगा, ये मैंने सपने में भी नहीं सोचा था।45 साल की दोस्ती पर ऐसे अचानक पूर्णविराम !! Life will NEVER be the same without you SATISH ! ओम् शांति! 💔💔💔 pic.twitter.com/WC5Yutwvqc
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) March 8, 2023
In the upcoming period drama Emergency, Kaushik will make his final performance on the big screen.
