Satish Kaushik will be deeply missed: NSD director

Actor and filmmaker Satish Kaushik died at the age of 66 on Wednesday in Delhi. Kaushik suffered a heart attack in the National Capital Region while travelling in a car. He was visiting his friend in Gurugram when his health deteriorated, and he was taken to the hospital.

For the postmortem on Thursday, his body was transported from Gurugram’s Fortis Hospital to Delhi’s Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital. His mortal remains will be taken to Mumbai after the postmortem.

Kaushik was an alumnus of the National School of Drama and Film and Television Institute of India and started his career in theater.

Professor Ramesh Chandra Gaur, director of NSD, said, “I am both shocked and saddened to hear about the sudden demise of our alumnus and eminent film actor, director, and producer Satish Kaushik. He was an incredible person and great ambassador of film and theatre. It is an irreparable loss. He was such a lovely person. He will be deeply missed and will always be remembered for his great contributions to the Indian film industry. On behalf of the National School of Drama (NSD) family and also on my personal behalf, my sincerest condolences to his family, friends and admirers. May the divine soul rest in peace.”

Kaushik graduated from National School of Drama in 1978 with specialisation in acting. From 1978 to 1979, he was associated with NSD Repertory Company as an Apprentice Fellow. During his time at NSD, he acted in plays like Men Without Shadows, Nautanki Laila Majnu, Scorpion, Danto’s Death, Bhagavadjukam and Chief Minister. 

“He was having all sorts of popularity in the media. Despite that he had a love for theatre and NSD, where he grew. He was always eager to be connected with his alma mater. Always interested in sharing his experiences with the young students of the institute. He believed that theatre is the centre for learning acting because you directly connect with the audience with no retake,” Gaur told Patriot.

His performance in the play Salesman Ramlal in the title role was staged in Bharat Rang Mahotsav, 2002. He was also the Guest of Honour at BRM Azadi Segment in Mumbai in 2022.

Remembering the time spent with him in the festival, Gaur said, “I will always cherish sweet memories of his simplicity and greatness during my personal meeting with him in Mumbai.”

“He always always picked your phone and was always available,” he reflected.

He later moved to Mumbai and joined Shekhar Kapur as his chief assistant director on the1983 film Masoom. 

Kaushik was also a member of the National School of Drama Society from 2001 to 2005.