Veteran actor Satish Kaul, who had 300 Punjabi and Hindi films to his credit, passed away due to coronavirus-related complications on Saturday in Ludhiana. He was 74. The actor’s funeral will take place on Sunday.
He was best known for his role in BR Chopra’s mythological series Mahabharat wherein he essayed the role of Lord Indra.
Satish Kaul’s sister Satya Devi said, “He had fever for the last five-six days and wasn’t keeping well. So, on Thursday, we admitted him to Shri Rama Charitable Hospital here and then we learnt he had tested positive for coronavirus.”
The actor had spoken last year about his financial woes, which he had mentioned had only gotten worse due to coronavirus-induced nationwide lockdown. “I’m struggling for medicines, groceries and basic needs. I appeal to the industry people to help me. I got so much love as an actor, I need some attention now as a human in need,” the actor had said.
The actor began his career in the early ’70s. Kaul majorly worked in the Punjabi entertainment industry but has worked in Bollywood, such as Warrant, Prem Parbat, Gunaho Ka Faisla, Dance Dance, Bhakti Me Shakti, Pyar To Hona hi Tha and Ram Lakhan. His Punjabi career was more flourishing and lasted longer with credits like Maula Jatt, Sassi Punnu, Ishq Nimana, Suhag Chooda and Patola. On television, besides Mahabharat, Kaul was known for 1985 Doordarshan series Vikram Aur Betaal.
After acting in Hindi films, Satish Kaul moved to Punjab in 2011 and started his own acting school, however, it didn’t take off as expected. “It came to a halt and whatever work I was doing later was affected after I fractured my hip bone in 2015. For two and a half years, I was bed-ridden in the hospital. Then I had to check in to an old age home where I stayed for two years,” Kaul had said.
Satish Kaul was a graduate of FTII (Film and Television Institue of India) 1969 batch. Bollywood superstars Shatrughan Sinha, Jaya Bachchan, Danny Denzongpa, Om Puri, Zarina Wahab and Asha Sachdeva were his batch mates.
