Bollywood actor-filmmaker Satish Kaushik dies at 66

Mar. 9: Bollywood actor and director Satish Kaushik has died at the age of 66 in India's capital Delhi.

His nephew Nishaan Kaushik told BBC Hindi that the actor suffered a heart attack on Thursday morning.

He was travelling in a car at the time and was rushed to a hospital, where doctors said he was dead on arrival.

Kaushik wore many hats in the Hindi film industry as an actor, producer, comedian and screenwriter.

His breakthrough role came in the 1987 hit Mr India, where he played a cook named Calendar. The role showcased the comic timing he would later become known for.

He played memorable characters in several other films such as Ram Lakhan, Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro and Deewana Mastana.

He also directed several movies including Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja, Prem, Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain and Tere Naam.

Born on 13 April 1956, Kaushik graduated from Kirori Mal College at Delhi University and went on to study at the National School of Drama.

He was active on Twitter, where he often shared memories of his career. In 2020, he posted a photo of his arrival in Mumbai city in 1979 to become an actor - the tweet was met with an outpouring of love and affection.

Many Bollywood stars and politicians paid tribute to the actor.

Actor Anupam Kher, who announced the news on Twitter, said that life would never be the same without Kaushik, with whom he had been friends for 45 years.

Director Subhash Ghai described him as "a man who always laughed even in the worst crisis and stood by anyone in his crisis".

Home Minister Amit Shah said the actor would be remembered for his "contribution to Indian cinema, artistic creations and performances."

Kaushik's last appearance on the big screen will be in the upcoming period drama Emergency.