Actor-director Satish Kaushik, whose impeccable comic timing created the endearing onscreen character, Calendar in ‘Mr India’ (1987), and who earned accolades for his powerhouse performance of ‘Salesman Ramlal’, a Hindi adaptation of Arthur Miller’s play, Death Of A Salesman, passed away Thursday. He was 66.

The actor complained of breathlessness late Wednesday night and was taken to Fortis Hospital in Gurugram, his manager Santosh Rai told ANI. Sources told TOI he was brought to the hospital around 12:30 am and declared dead on arrival. Postmortem report mentioned “cardiac arrest” as the cause of death, ANI said.

Just on Tuesday, he had posted smiling photographs of himself celebrating Holi with writer Javed Akhtar and newly wed actor-couple Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal.

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Director Sudhir Mishra, in his social media post, described actordirector Satish Kaushik as a “Brilliant actor. Brilliant mind. A sense of humour like very few others. A life well lived but there was still a lot ahead.” Watching the actor in the desert thriller 'Thar' (2022), where he played a weary but wise cop with aplomb, few would disagree.

Kaushik’s most remembered comic roles came in David Dhawan films whe re his uproarious exchanges with Govinda brought the house down. The contract killer Pappu Pager in ‘Deewana Mastana’; the garrulous Bhopali who sells stolen goods, and says “Kasam udaan jhalle ki” at the drop of a hat in ‘Bade Miya Chhote Miyan’; and the tabla player in ‘Saajan Chale Sasural’ - were all boisterously funny. 

Saajan…fetched him his first full-fledged Filmfare Award for best actor in a comic role; he had shared the earlier one with Anupam Kher for Ram Lakhan. But it was Calendar, the genial cook who sang the parody ‘Mera naam hai Calendar, main chal a kitchen ke andar’ in the blockbuster ‘Mr India’ that prompts the fastest recall. Even today kids shouting “Calendar, khana lao” are uploaded on YouTube.

Kaushik also acted in ‘Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro’, co-writing the dialogues with Ranjit Kapoor. In a 2018 interview to TOI, Kaushik recalled how the writers were stuck for a suitable climax when he saw dozens of secondhand Amar Chitra Kathas based on characters from ‘Mahabharat’, ‘Ramayan’, the Mughal Empire, even English classics, in a pavement stall. “An idea instantly clicked in my mind – why not make a potpourri of all these tales?”, he recalled. Calls and sessions followed. The scene was written. A classic was born.

He wasn’t shy of playing negative characters. Most notably, the actor played an obnoxious husband in ‘Brick Lane’ (2007), a film based on Monica Ali's award-winning novel about a young Bangladeshi woman in 1980s' London.

But such roles were rare in films. Theatre gave him more cerebral parts. Kaushik played Ramlal, a local version of Willy Loman, the unsteady protagonist who vacillates between memories and imagination in Miller’s unforgettable play.

“I have seen many versions of the play. But whenever I think of Death Of A Salesman, Satish Kaushik’s performance is the first thing that comes to mind. He lived the character and made it his own,” said well known theatre director Arvind Gaur. The play was directed by noted theatre director Feroz Abbas Khan.

Kaushik was born in Mahendragarh (then in East Punjab, now in Haryana) and grew up in New Delhi’s bustling Karol Bagh. The actor later named his film production company after the locality. His father, according to film critic Mayank Shekhar, sold Harrison locks, a well-known brand in 1970s' north India. Kaushik went to Delhi’s Kirorimal College, where he took early steps in acting. Later he joined NSD. Kaushik retained his ties with his alma mater, and reports s ay he was keen to restore the college’s auditorium.

In Mumbai, Kaushik initially struggled to make an impact in commercial films. ‘Mr India’ changed that. Kaushik was also the associate director of the film, which was produced by Surinder and Boney Kapoor. As a director, he was to forge a long collaborative relationship with Boney, directing big-budget crime caper ‘Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja’, and the young-love story ‘Prem’, where a very young Tabu and Sanjay Kapoor were lead actors. Both films flopped. But Kaushik, the director, wasn’t to be denied heady box-office success, courtesy Salman Khan’s ‘Tere Naam’ (2003), the remake of a Tamil film.

The actor’s death was widely mourned. PM Narendra Modi, Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar, UP CM Yogi Adityanath and Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot condoled his death. Those who worked with him in the film industry spoke of his humility, warmth and generosity of spirit. Among others, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Salman Khan, Manoj Bajpayee, Raj Babbar, Anupam Kher and Kangana Ranaut (who directed him in the forthcoming, 'Emergency') offered their condolences. Actor Yashpal Sharma wrote how Kaushik wanted to promote Haryanvi cinema throughout the state.

'Mr India’s' director, Shekhar Kapur, said on Twitter, “Like a part of my life story is gone. A bit of me wrenched away. Leaving a huge gap. Thank God for your stories, our stories together Satish. They will keep you alive in my heart forever. ” His fans would hold a similar view.

(With inputs from Ipsita Pati, Gurugram)

The things actors have to do for a role sometimes go beyond their personal choice. Filmmaker-actor Satish Kaushik, who was flitting between the decision to smoke or not, finally relented for the love of art despite his health issues. Playing a don in ZEE5’s Bloody Brothers required the actor to smoke cigars.

“Shaad [Ali, director] said that the cigar could give my character an edge and style. I have a bit of bronchitis issue, [so I was worried], but he let me take the final call,” informed Kaushik and added that he often sipped warm water after every smoking scene.

“I realised that the smoke of the cigar surrounding my character would make it look interesting [on camera]. I usually mouth-fagged and timed it well to ensure that I looked convincing as don.”

The actor had quit smoking when he set out to direct Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja (1993). “I quit smoking after shooting for the train robbery sequence in the film. I remember Veeru Devgan was on top of the train, and I was standing below, smoking while briefing him about the scene. He threatened to stop shooting until I stopped smoking. That’s how I quit the habit,” reminisces Kaushik.

The 1997 hit film, Judaai, starring actors Anil Kapoor, Sridevi and Urmila Matondkar, turns 25 today. Despite having an unconventional storyline, where a money-minded wife (Sridevi) agrees to have her husband (Kapoor) marry another woman (Matondkar) in exchange for money, the film won the hearts of the audience. Kapoor tells us that he was initially reluctant to sign the movie. He says, “I kept saying no to the film, as I couldn’t connect with my character. I had a lot of pressure from my family and our family production company, as we were going through tough times, financially, after the debacle of Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja (1993).”

But watching actors Andy García and Meg Ryan’s When A Man Loves A Woman (1994) made Kapoor believe in Judaai. “I am glad I said yes, as the intention was to do it for the family,” says the actor, who feels it’s “so surreal” that the film has completed 25 years: “It was a pleasure working with two exceptionally talented women — Sridevi and Urmila. The working style was very different back then and had its own charm.”

While he was convinced about the film, didn’t people dissuade him from taking up such an unconventional story? The actor responds, “Mr India (1987), Parinda (1989), Eeshwar (1989), 1942: A Love Story (1994), Virasat (1997), Pukar (2000), AK vs AK and now, Thar — I’ve always tried to not do run of the mill films. I feel that’s one of the reasons for my longevity.”

Recounting a funny anecdote from the shoot of the song Haan Mujhe Pyaar Hua from Judaai, the actor laughs, “All I had to do was remove my sunglasses, put them in my jacket and look at Urmila. Little did I know that the jacket I was wearing did not have any pockets, and during the shot, I was clueless, looking for a place to rest my shades. The whole crew burst into laughter and that shot made it to the final cut. Looking back at those days brings so much joy.”

Among Hindi cinema’s cult films, Lamhe (1991) was a recipient of numerous awards — including the National Award for Best Costume Design. It starred late actor Sridevi in a double role, along with actor Anil Kapoor, and the story was deemed to be ahead of its time. Kapoor goes down memory lane as the film completes 30 years today. “When your intent is honest towards a film, it pays off. This happened to me with all the films I’ve done. I sacrificed a lot to fulfil my commitments towards the filmmaker and script,” he says.

But the film’s making wasn’t free of hurdles. Sridevi, whose performance in the film was loved by everyone, had lost her father when they were shooting in London (United Kingdom). With one of the lead actors not being present at the shoot, everything was stalled. Kapoor says that late director Yash Chopra didn’t feel okay with resuming the shoot in India, as it wouldn’t have “matched London”.

“We spent two weeks there without shooting... I had shoots of two films lined up in Mumbai, including my own production Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja (1993). I had to postpone its shooting, and cancel all the dates. We lost a lot of money. I sacrificed that film to fulfil this commitment of mine,” says the actor, who was then expecting his son Harsh Varrdhan with wife Sunita. While he feels “fulfilled” today to be part of Lamhe, he confesses he felt “bad” then, and questioned his decisions.

He also recalls how the entire unit tried to save costs during the extended stay in the UK. “Hotels were expensive. I stayed at one of Yash ji’s friend’s house. In fact, the entire unit was staying at each other’s rishtedaar’s house. We saved money, and when Sri came back, we finished the London schedule. That’s the reason the film looks so good, and has withstood the test of time. It has aged well,” the actor concludes.

How does one introduce Satish Kaushik? In a career spanning 30 years, he has made a sizeable (pun intended) contribution to Bollywood, theatre, Indian television and international cinema as an actor, producer and director. Importantly, even three decades later, he has an insatiable appetite for his craft. As he gears up for the television sitcom Sumit Sambhal Lega, where he plays Jasbir Walia, that will air from tonight on Star Plus, this multi-faceted personality touches on the high and low points of his life and career. Excerpts from his interview...

You start a new journey on television tonight as Jasbir Walia...
I've been working continuously for 30 years. 24 has paved the way for finite series on TV becoming popular. This entire year has gone in shooting for Sumit Sambhal Lega. It is the adaptation of the American show Everybody Loves Raymond and I play the role of Frank, Raymond's father, in this case Sumit's father. I've made it more obnoxious, more interesting. It is not the central role but it is a juicy one and has a lot of scope. I'm a lazy man from a Delhi household, who talks in the 'aabe tubhe' language. I'm constantly eating and insulting people! It is a character with a lot of layers and though he seems obnoxious on the face of it, he has an endearing quality about him. I accepted the show because I was happy with the brand. Jeremy Stevens, one of the the writers of the original series came over, we had readings and workshops. It is all so well executed.

Three decades as an actor and you're still as excited about this role...
Acting is therapeutic for me. I have made so many names popular. Whether it is Calendar (Mr India), Pappu Pager (Deewana Mastana), German (Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain), Jumbo (Gharwali Baharwali), Kunj Biharilal (Haseena Maan Jaayegi), Mutthu Swamy (Saajan Chale Sasural) or Airport (Swarg), people on the street address me by all these names. Something tells me Jasbir will also become as popular as the characters I have named. I've done so much in three decades - from acting in films to producing and directing movies, to producing television shows, theatre and now acting on TV. I've also directed commercials. I always wanted to be busy.

When did the acting bug bite?
I stayed at the Naiwala Lane in Karol Bagh, New Delhi. When I was eight, I told my father - my name should come in the newspaper some day. I was the most ignored child in my school till I did a mono-act play on the last day of Std XI. Everyone was very impressed by it. That very moment I became the star of my school. The claps motivated me to take admission in Delhi's Kirori Mal College, which encouraged dramatics. Amitabh Bachchan is from the same college. Professor Frank Thakurdas, a patron of the arts from our college told me, 'Satish, don't do anything else in life after passing out from here. Become an actor'. I thought he was just humouring me, especially because I knew that I lacked good looks. But my professor turned around and told me, 'Never mind your looks. When I see you on stage, you are the ultimate good-looking person for me.' He is the one who put in a word for me at the National School of Drama (NSD) and this changed my life.

You came to Mumbai next?
I did a six-month course at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) and then came to Mumbai. After a year at NSD and a six month stint at the FTII, I worked with the Auroras of D'Decor for a year in their textile mill and earned Rs 400 a month. My first day's job at the mill in Vikhroli was to sweep the dust off the yarn bundles. I had been gloating over the reviews that I got for my plays at NSD and thereafter, the praise I received at the FTII and here, I was being made to sweep in a mill! However, since I knew that I had to survive in Mumbai to pursue my ultimate dream of acting, I just continued. I told myself  'if you sweep the dust off these looms well, your path in Mumbai too will be a smooth one'. This positive attitude is what got me going and paid dividends. My boss saw my play Bichchoo at Prithvi and was mighty impressed. When I reported at the mill the next morning, he said to me, 'You're lacking in the looks department, but you're a terrific actor. Whatever you do, do it with passion.' I became Shekhar Kapur's assistant. I waylaid him at the airport and asked him to take me.

Is Shekhar your godfather in Bollywood?
Frankly, I think Javed Akhtar saab is my godfather. My relationship with Shekhar was very fruitful. I assisted him on Masoom and Joshilaay. Here I met Javed saab, Boney Kapoor and Anil Kapoor. Javed saab asked me not to think small ever. I did one scene in Woh 7 Din and I forged a lifetime of friendship with Shekhar, Anil, Boney and of course, Javed saab. Anil is responsible for many good things in my career.

Any more additions on the friends list?
Yes, Anupam Kher and Jayantilal Gada.

Boney entrusted you with with two big films - Prem and Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja (RKRCKR), right?
Yes, RKRCKR was launched as a magnum opus. But both Prem and RKRCKR flopped. That really upset my morale. I then ventured into television with O Maria, Yeh Shaadi Nahin Ho Sakti and Philips Top 10. I was producing four to five programmes on Sony. But my heart was in films. I was down but never out. The big Bollywood directorial break came again with the Anil-Kajol starrer Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain. After that, I never had to look back. I had also become very busy as an actor. I did around 15-16 films with David Dhawan as an actor.

Isn't it true that David actually offered you Raja Babu, the role that Shakti Kapoor later did? Why did you opt out?
David gave me Raja Babu immediately after RKRCKR flopped. At the photoshoot, he wanted me to stand in a striped underwear with a naada hanging down and a Charlie Chaplin moustache. The get-up was very funny but I was nervous, thinking that after such a colossal flop, if I stood in an underwear, people would think I was finished. So, I requested David to give me something else. That's when he offered me Saajan Chale Sasural, where I played a South Indian. I saw this as a tribute to Mehmood, whom I deeply admired and who had played a South Indian in Padosan. It is ironical that both Shakti and I won Filmfare Awards for actors in best comic roles in two consecutive years.

You were fortunate to work with some of the biggest names...
Yes, I worked with Salman Khan (Tere Naam), Anil on several films and Tusshar (Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai). However, as far as my leading ladies go, I've worked with the most established names including Sridevi, Tabu, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Kajol. I recall I was nervous about working with Kajol in Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain. She was fresh from the success of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and I was thinking, 'God, how will I convince her to do my film.' But the moment I met her on her farm in Khandala and she yelled, 'Aye Pappu Pager,' I knew things would be easier. I realised that when you speak to Kajol, you have to be honest. So, I narrated the script to her without mincing the melodrama. Of course, her first reaction was, 'Satish, it is too melodramatic.' But once she was convinced that there was no other way you could approach the script, she cooperated fully.

Heard you told Anupam Kher once that you would attempt suicide. Is this true?
When RKRCKR failed, I was at a hotel in Hyderabad and was so dejected that I was contemplating suicide. I was newly married and my wife Shashi was wondering what she had got into. Anupam called the general manager of the hotel and said 'please save my friend.' Also, a little later I was at a pub in Mumbai where I met Mahesh Bhatt. I was wearing a dejected expression and told him that I was feeling terrible because my film had flopped. He gave me a smack on my face (albeit playfully) and said, 'your film has flopped, you haven't. Treat films as a part of your life, they're not your entire life.' I came home that day and made a life-graph. I told myself that I had had such humble beginnings. God, my friends and colleagues had paved the way for me to become so successful, then how could I feel defeated just because I had suffered one setback? People who were better-looking and better-off than me were still struggling, while I had managed to reach some place. So, I told myself, 'Satish you need a kick on your arse.' And I picked up the pieces and started again.

You also lost your son Kush to an accident...
The biggest tragedy in my life was losing Kush 20 years ago. Shashi and I could not get over this tragedy. The accident shook me up. I was on top of things as far as my career went. I was elated, when at the premiere of RKRCKR, my wife was pregnant with our first child. And then we lost our son. I realised that as far as destiny is concerned, nothing is planned and fixed. This really shook me up. Today, my son, too, would have been around the same age as Anil's son Harsh and perhaps he, too, may have chosen to be a part of Bollywood. Not a single day goes by without remembering him. Three years ago my daughter Vanshika came into our lives. She is the biggest source of joy for us, the antidote to our sadness. She has filled the gap.

International honour came your way with Brick Lane...
I did Brick Lane and believe me, the producers were in a fix initially on whether a comic actor like me could pull it off. But I had the solid background of theatre. Sarah Gavron's Brick Lane and Dev Benegal's Road Movie opened global doors for me. I met Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese at the Tribeca Film Festival. I won a lot of accolades at the Toronto Festival for Brick Lane. And I had the privilege of meeting Sir Ben Kingsley at Doha. A new phase in my career began as I started hobnobbing with Hollywood stars at international film festivals. In fact, even before I could approach Ben, he turned around and said, 'Am I meeting this great actor from Brick Lane?' He even introduced me to his wife, who is also a famous actor.

On the social front, you have adopted a village in Haryana.
Yes, I have adopted my paternal village Dhanaunda that is in the Mahendragarh district of Haryana. I got a lot of aid from the local government for making pakka streets and even a sports stadium is being constructed there. I also run a NGO called The Roots that holds workshops in girls' schools. The motto is to tell girls to dream big and become achievers in their chosen field. I believe if God has given you enough, you must give back to society.

Are you planning on directing again?
I have directed around 14 movies and filmmaking remains a passion. The script of my next film is almost ready. It is a gritty drama based on a book. However, I will announce the film at a later day. Acting in television, theatre and films has kept me quite occupied. My play Salesman Ramlal, which is an adaptation of Death Of A Salesman, has kept me fully busy. Besides that, I'm currently doing roles in Abhishek Chaubey's Udta Punjab, where I play Shahid Kapoor's uncle and Wedding Pullav. I also have Ritesh Sinha's Promise Dad, that has an international starcast and is expected to release soon.