Nostalgia with Satish Kaushik: “I had an inner conviction that I would make it”

The actor-director talks about moving to Mumbai, opening his first bank account and celebrating birthdays with his group of friends when he was 22

At 22, where were you career-wise?

Satish Kaushik at 22 (left) and at 60 (above)

I’d graduated from the National School Of Drama, Delhi, and freelanced as a theatre actor. I’d worked with theatre director Amal Allana. I had the option of becoming a full-time actor in NSD’s Repertory Company, but I took a train to Mumbai. I wasn’t confident but keen on fulfilling my dream of becoming a film actor.

Satish at his first ever photoshoot

Your bank balance then?

I opened my first bank account only after I came to Mumbai. My sister Shakuntala’s husband Ramesh Bhardwaj gave me ₹800. Raj Babbar helped me to open an account with that amount at the Juhu branch of Punjab National Bank.

With theatre personality Nadira Babbar

Your relationship status?

I had a girlfriend who wanted to marry me. She was not sure I would make it as an actor, so she got married to someone else. I served cold drinks to the guests at her wedding.

With Nadira and Raj Babbar’s daughter Juhi

Your frame of mind?

Nervous. But I had an inner conviction that I would make it.

What was your fashion sense?

Very ordinary. I was fond of wearing jeans.

With a young Neena Gupta and Pankaj Kapur in Vinod Chopra’s Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro

Your fitness quotient?

At that time, becoming an actor didn’t require you to be fit as a Greek God. So, I never bothered about it much.

With Anupam Kher, Kavita Chaudhary and Pramod Moutho in the play Long Day’s Journey Into The Night

Looking back, what’s one thing you feel you should have done at 22, but didn’t?

I should have got into sports and gym workouts. But I am happy how it all shaped up anyway.

Satish with his college friends

Your most prized possession at that time?

Bade Bhaisaab’s Rajdoot motorcycle. I was obsessed and rode it all around town.

In the play Long Day’s Journey Into The Night

Any anecdote from that time that is etched in your mind?

Our group of friends—Anupam Kher, Karan Razdan, Anang Desai, Suhas Khandke—would celebrate our birthdays at Bangla Sweet House by cutting a big besan ka laddoo since we did not have money for a cake. After a dosa-bhature-tikki treat, the birthday boy had to arrange for food and booze in the hostel followed by coffee at a five-star hotel. How much we miss those days!

From HT Brunch, June 4, 2022

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