Throwback Thursday: Did You Know Satish Kaushik Rejected Aamir Khan For ‘Mr India’ Because Of His Car?

Veteran Bollywood actor Satish Kaushik passed away on Wednesday after suffering a heart attack. He was 67, and his death has left a huge void in the film fraternity. Being a graduate of the Film and Television Institute of India and the National School of Drama, Kaushik started off as a theater actor, and then worked in films as an assistant director. 

Interestingly, Aamir Khan, in an interview last year, recalled how he was interviewed for the position of Shekhar Kapur’s AD by Kaushik for ‘Mr India’. The ‘Lagaan’ actor had told Humans of Bombay that he wanted to work under Shekhar Kapur, who was directing ‘Mr India’ at the time. In addition to appearing as the character Calendar, Kaushik was also on the film as the chief assistant director.

Recalling his meeting with Kaushik, Khan said, “I had gone and met Shekhar Kapur because he was one of my favourite directors. So I told him that I want to work with you as an assistant. At that time, Satish Kaushik was his chief assistant director. I had a meeting and showed my paperwork on what I do, kitna kuch aata hai and wo bohot impress hue the paperwork se because uss time industry mein koi paperwork karta hi nahi tha. Na Satish karta tha (They were very impressed with the paperwork, because nobody in the industry did paperwork at that time).”

While he was considered to be a terrific AD, he didn’t get the job. Khan continued, “Later Satish told me that tu jab aaya tha mujhse milne meeting ke liye, to tu gaadi chala ke aaya tha and mere paas gaadi nahi thi. To mujhe laga main jis junior ko hire karunga, uske paas gaadi hai (When you had come for a meeting with me, you came in a car and I didn’t have a car. So, I felt that the junior who I will hire has a car).”

He then told Kaushik that the car wasn’t his. Khan couldn’t believe the irony at the time, and told Kaushik he used to travel in public transport.

Coming to Kaushik, he is remembered for his roles in films like 'Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron', 'Mr India', 'Ram Lakhan' and 'Haseena Maan Jayegi' among many others. He also directed 'Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja' and 'Prem', two of the costliest films of their times.