Bollywood actor and director Satish Kaushik, best known for his role as Calendar and Mr India, passed away at the age of 66 early on Thursday. According to reports, Kaushik suffered a heart attack while traveling in a bus. Doctors tried to revive Kaushik but he breathed his last on March 9.

His wife Shashi and his 11-year-old daughter, Vanshika Kaushik, died. His body has been shifted to Deendayal Hospital for post-mortem and is expected to be handed over to his family around 3 pm after which his last rites will be performed. The news of Kaushik's death was tweeted by his friend and National Award winning actor Anupam Kher.

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)”

Kher was not the only one to extend his condolences to the departed soul and the bereaved family. Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut also took to Twitter to give her last respects to the veteran actor-director. 

Ranaut wrote, “Woke up to this horrible news, he was my biggest cheerleader, a very successful actor and director Satish Kaushik ji personally was also a very kind and genuine man. I loved directing him in Emergency. He will be missed, Om Shanti (sic).” Ranaut and Kaushik feature as former Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi and independence activist Jagjivan Ram in the film which will be released in October this year. 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also paid his last respects to the Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron actor and said his contribution to Indian cinema, artistic creations and performances will always be remembered. the Home Minister tweeted, "Deeply saddened by the sudden demise of actor, director and writer Satish Kaushik ji. His contribution to Indian cinema, artistic creations and performances will always be remembered. My deepest condolences to his bereaved family and followers. Om Shanti Shanti."

Director Madhur Bhandarkar, known for films like Page 3 and Indu Sarkar, also paid his last respects to the actor. Bhandarkar said the actor was always vibrant, energetic, and full of life. He tweeted, "I am so shocked to hear the demise of actor-director Satish Kaushik ji, who was always vibrant, energetic and full of life, he will be missed immensely by the film fraternity and millions of admirers. My deepest condolences to his family members."

Director Vivek Agnihotri, known for films like The Kashmir Files and Buddha in a Traffic Jam paid a poetic tribute to the Udta Punjab actor. Agnihotri shared a picture of himself with Kaushik and wrote, "It was just yesterday... What to say, how to say...Those taunts, those tales, those holding hands, "You don't understand conscience, listen to elders..." That obsession of 10,000 steps... Those stories, those films that were to be made... All missing, everyone is silent. om Shanti Satish Kaushik! Artists like you never die."

He was also seen in Rishi Kapoor’s last film Sharmaji Namkeen, which was released on Amazon Prime Video in 2022. The maverick actor also won the Filmfare Best Comedian Award for Ram Lakhan in 1990 and for Saajan Chale Sasural in 1997. 

Kaushik is also known for directing films like Roop ki Rani Choron ka Raja (1993), Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai (2000), Tere Naam (2003), Dhol (2007), and Kaagaz (2021).