Satish Kaushik

Satish Chandra Kaushik (13 April 1956 – 9 March 2023) was a multi-talented personality in the Indian film industry, known for his wide-reaching skills as an actor, director, producer, comedian, editor, and screenwriter. He rose to fame in Bollywood with the movie Mr. India where he portrayed the iconic character of a cook named Calendar. Kaushik's career had its beginnings in the world of theatre, and he graduated from esteemed institutions like Kirori Mal College, Delhi University, the National School of Drama and the Film and Television Institute of India. In his illustrious career, aside from his memorable portrayal of character roles, Kaushik was known for his impressive comedy and screenplay writing skills. His dialogues for Kundan Shah's comedy classic Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron (1983) were immensely appreciated. His directorial works include the 2009 film Teree Sang, which explored the rarely touched upon issue of teen pregnancy. His pivotal role in launching a new film company, Karol Bagh Productions, with his classmate Anupam Kher, is also a highlight of his career. Despite some early box office disappointments, Kaushik persisted and found success with films like Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain in 1999. Additionally, he was a partner in the ambitious Chandigarh film city project with Parsavnath Developers.

Personal life saw him tying the knot with Shashi Kaushik in 1985. The couple faced the heartbreaking loss of their son, Shanu, who died at age two in 1996. However, they found joy again when they welcomed a daughter in 2012 through surrogacy. Kaushik's life was cut short by a heart attack in Gurugram on 9 March 2023. His legacy in the film industry continues to inspire and entertain audiences.