MUMBAI: 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.
The news of 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 is survived by his wife Shashi and daughter 11-year-old Vanshika Kaushik. His body has been taken to Deendayal Hospital for postmortem and is expected to be handed over to his family at around 3 pm, following which his last rites will be conducted.
Following the news condolences poured in from Bollywood celebrities. Close friends and family including Indian filmmaker Ashoke Pandit and Anumpam Kher were clicked at the late actors residence.
Farah Khan shared a happy picture of the Mr India actor on Instagram stories and wrote, “RIP Satish Kaushik. Too sudden and too sad… the kindest, happiest man.” Subhash Ghai, who worked with Satish Kaushik in Ram Lakhan, shared a picture posing with the late actor and wrote, “It’s just heart-shattering news for me that we lost our one best friend #DEAR SATISH – a man who always laughed even in worst crisis and stood by anyone in his crisis ” A great artiste. Greater human being greatest friend I know. He left us so sudden so soon. I’m sad. Om shanti.”
“Today, we’ve lost one of the finest of the film industry. His memory will be a blessing to all those who knew and loved him. Heartfelt condolences to the family. #RestInPeace #SatishKaushik,” wrote Suniel Shetty.
Satish Kaushik was one of the finest actors in Bollywood, who played some memorable characters like Manu Manek Mundra and Advocate Sadhuram. He was born on April 13, 1956, and was an actor, director, producer, comedian and screenwriter.