It is Satish Kaushik’s birthday today — the first that the late actor-filmmaker’s family is spending without him. It’s an especially tough time for Kaushik’s daughter, Vanshika, 10, who gave up using social media after her father’s death on March 9.

“In the past few days, she has broken down again and again. Yesterday, too, she cried a lot, and chachi ji had to put her to sleep. She has even made a card for him. She keeps saying, ‘Papa’s birthday has come, but he is not here’. Chachi ji, as a mother, is trying to be brave and being with Vanshika,” shares Nishant, Kaushik’s nephew.

In an attempt to stay strong and hold on to the good memories, the family have decided to be part of a special tribute ceremony being hosted by Kaushik’s close friend, actor Anupam Kher. “We’re walking into his first birth anniversary just one month after he passed away. It is a very difficult time for us,” adds Nishant.

At his get-together, Kher wishes to relive memories with the filmmaker. “He used to go and meet his friends — Anupam sir, Anil Kapoor sir, Boney Kapoor sir — during the day, and spend the night with his family. We’ll celebrate the life of Satish Kaushik,” reveals Nishant, who also worked with Kaushik, who would have turned 67, on many projects.

He adds, “The loss is hitting Vanshika now. The two had a special bond, as she used to wait for him to come back so that they could make videos together. The vacuum is really hitting her.”