Best known for playing the roles of Calendar in Mr. India (1987) and Pappu Pager in Deewana Maastana (1997), Satish Kaushik is a versatile actor, producer and director who is noted for his work in Bollywood film industry. The actor who primarily portrays comedic roles has also played serious and villainous roles with equal panache. The winner of two Filmfare Awards, Satish has featured in several popular films like Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983), Jamai Raja (1990), Saajan Chal Saural (1996), Chal Mere Bhai (2000), Brick Lane (2007) and Udta Punjab (2016). Apart from acting, Satish Kaushik has also directed and produced several films.
Early Life
Born in Dhanounda village, Haryana, Satish Kaushik spent his early childhood days in Karolbagh, Delhi. He finished his graduation from the Kirori Mal College and then enrolled himself at the National School of Drama (NSD) in New Delhi. After passing out, he studied at the Film and Television Institute of India located in Pune, India. He then came to Bombay to try his luck in Bollywood.
Personal Life
Satish Kaushik is married to Shashi Kaushik and together the couple had a son named Shanu Kaushik who passed away when he was just two years old. Sixteen years after their marriage, the couple was blessed with another child, a daughter named Vanshika who was born in 2012.
Movie Career
As a Director
Satish Kaushik learnt the nuances of film direction after assisting the stalwart director Shekhar Kapur in Masoom (1983). He made his directorial debut with Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja (1993) starring Anil Kapoor, Sridevi Kapoor, Jackie Shroff and Anupam Kher. The film, which was one of the most highly anticipated releases failed miserably at the box office and critics slammed it for its poor dialogues and uninteresting music.
After the failure of his directorial debut venture, Satish Kaushik took a break from direction for six years only to deliver a super hit with his comeback film Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain. The film starring Anil Kapoor, Kajol, Anupam Kher and Shakti Kapoor was the remake of the Telugu film Pavithra Bandham. Upon release, it garnered wide positive reviews and emerged to be the fifth highest-grossing film that year. He subsequently directed Muje Kucch Kehna Hai (2001) and Badhaai Ho Badhaai (2002) before winning several laurels for his next venture Tere Naam (2003). The romantic-drama featuring Salman Khan and Bhoomika Chawla in the lead roles was the remake of the Tamil film Sethu directed by Bala. The film, which was based on a real life incident of a man who fell in love and ended up in mental asylum after losing his lover was critically acclaimed and was a box office hit. His next few releases including Vaada (2005), Shaadi Se Pehle (2006), Karzzz (2008), Milenge Milenge (2009) and Gang of Ghosts (2014) most of which failed at the box office and received either negative or mixed critical reviews.
As a Producer
Satish Kaushik made his production debut with Aatank Hi Aatank (1995) and later produced films like Mr. Bechara (1996), Kyon Ki (2005), Dhol (2007), Bumm Bumm Bole (2010) and Gang of Ghosts (2014).
As an Actor
After making his debut with Shekhar Kapoor directed Indian drama Masoom, Satish Kaushik subsequently appeared in several critically acclaimed films like Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983), Utsav (1984) and Saagar (1985) before rising to prominence with Mr. India (1987) where he played the role of Calendar. The Indian science fiction super hero film directed by Shekhar Kapur and starring Anil Kapoor and Sridevi was the highest-grossing film that year and over the years it has achieved cult status.
After the huge success of Mr. India, the actor portrayed mostly comedic roles and he won his maiden Filmfare Award for Best Comedian for his role in Ram Lakhan directed by Subhash Ghai. The film featuring an ensemble cast including Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, Madhuri Dixit and Dimple Kapadia was both a critical and commercial hit. The following year he played the role of BBC (Banke Bihari Chaturvedi) in the romantic comedy-drama Jamai Raja staring Hema Malini, Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit.
The actor continued to enthral the audience with his comedic roles in Saajan Chale Sasural (1996), Mr. and Mrs. Khiladi (1997) and Deewana Mastana (1997) where he played role of Papu Pager, which eventually became one of his most popular and iconic roles of his career. His other popular films in the 199o’s include Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (1998), Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain (1999), Aa Ab Laut Chalen (1999), and Haseena Maan Jaayegi (1999).
By the dawn of the new millennium, the actor had already showcased his incredible acting prowess and established himself as one of the most versatile and accomplished actors/comedians in the Bollywood film industry. The actor proved his mettle with serious roles Calcutta Mail (2003), the Indian thriller directed by Sudhir Mishra, and Brick Lane (2007), a British drama film directed by Sarah Gavron. The film starring Tannishtha Chatterjee was screened at the Telluride Film Festival in the United States and upon release it garnered positive critical reviews as well as winning two nominations at the BAFTA Awards for Best Actress and Best Director.
In 2008, the actor made a cameo appearance in fantasy comedy God Tussi Great Ho starring Salman Khan, Sohail Khan, Priyanka Chopra and Amitabh Bachchan. The film, which had striking similarity to the 2003 Hollywood movie Bruce Almighty starring Jim Carrey and Jennifer Anniston turned out to a massive disaster at the box office. Over the next few years, Satish Kaushik did both comedic and serious roles in films like Milenge Milenge (2010), Double Dhamaal (2011), and Wedding Pullav (2015). In 2016, the actor played the role of tayaji in the crime drama Udta Punjab starring Shahid Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Diljit Dosanjh. The film, which is based on the drug abuse by the youth in the Indian state of Punjab received highly positive reviews from critics and turned out be a commercial hit.
TV Career
He has anchored a TV countdown show called Philips Top Ten. He played the lead role of Nawaab Jung Bahadur in SAB TV’s The Great Indian Family Drama, produced by Contiloe productions. Satish Kaushik was also seen on Star Plus’ Sumit Sambhal Lega.