On what would have been the celebrated actor-director Satish Kaushik’s birthday, Bollywood actor Kartik Aaryan took a moment to honor the memory of the man he described as the ‘best landlord’ during the days he faced adversity. Aaryan commemorated Kaushik by posting an endearing photo of him in a printed shirt and denim, praising him as a great human being who provided him with invaluable assistance and guidance in the early, challenging phases of his career.
In loving memory of Satish Kaushik, who passed away, Aaryan poignantly tweeted, “A great actor, a great human being, and the best landlord, I had during my struggling days in the city. Will always remember your encouraging words and laughter Sir. RIP SATISH SIR 🙏🏻.” This homage reflects the impact that Kaushik had on Aaryan’s life, showcasing the bond that extended beyond the typical tenant-landlord relationship.
Kartik Aaryan, a heartthrob of the Indian cinema often called the ‘humble King’ by his fans, rose to stardom with a streak of successful films. Yet before breaking into the limelight with his 2018 hit ‘Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety’, he braved a period of frugality and simplicity. Aaryan’s beginnings in the film industry were modest, with the actor’s means of transport to illustrious award ceremonies being nothing more than the common autorickshaw. Despite his roles as the leading man, Aaryan experienced the struggles of city life and the desire to improve his standard of living through sheer determination and hard work.
The late Satish Kaushik was a beloved figure in the Bollywood community, not just for his on-screen performances, but also for his generosity and kindness off-screen. Born on April 13, 1956, in Mahendragarh, Haryana, Kaushik was a noted alumnus of respected institutions such as the National School of Drama (NSD) and the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII). His film career commenced in the early 1980s and spanned several decades, leaving an indelible mark with his contributions. Kaushik penned the dialogues for the iconic 1983 film ‘Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron’, and earned acclaim for performances in ‘Mr. India’, ‘Deewana Mastana’, ‘Ram Lakhan’, ‘Mr. & Mrs. Khiladi’, and ‘Haseena Maan Jaayegi’.
The Bollywood fraternity was plunged into mourning upon news of Satish Kaushik’s passing. The actor suffered a heart attack and his untimely death was deeply felt across the industry. Family members, close friends, and colleagues including actor Anupam Kher and director Ashok Pandit were present at his last rites, held at the Versova crematorium.
Anupam Kher recounted Kaushik’s last moments, noting the actor felt uneasy while celebrating Holi at a friend’s house in Delhi. In an emergency, he asked his driver to rush him to the hospital, where he suffered a heart attack en route, around 1 am. After a post-mortem at Delhi’s Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, his body was transported to Mumbai, returning to his Versova residence in a solemn homecoming.
Satish Kaushik’s passing has brought a stream of tributes from those whose lives he touched with his art and his warmth. His legacy is not just in the characters he portrayed, but also in the mentorship and support he extended to those who walked in the precarious footsteps of a newcomer in Bollywood, like Kartik Aaryan.
In celebrating the life and legacy of Satish Kaushik and in acknowledging the formative impact he had on his own life, Kartik Aaryan’s recent revelations serve as a poignant reminder that success in the film industry is often preceded by unsung heroes and unspoken acts of kindness that help to lift up the stars we celebrate today.
