Veteran Indian actor Satish Kaul has over 300 Hindi and Punjabi films to his credit. He rose to fame when he played the role of ‘Indra Dev’ in B R Chopra’s TV series ‘Mahabharat’ in 1988. Often referred to as the ‘Amitabh Bachchan of Punjabi cinema’, Kaul was also bestowed with the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ for his contribution to the Punjabi film industry.
However, the man who was showered with love and respect by both his fans and his colleagues when he was in his prime, recently revealed that he’s now struggling to make ends meet.
According to News18, the 73-year-old actor is not at his financial best and the country-wide coronavirus lockdown has made things worse for him.
Sharing about his well-being, Kaul said: “I’m staying in a small rented place in Ludhiana.”
“I was staying in an old age home earlier but then I’m here at this place with my good Samaritan Satya Devi.”
My health is ok, I’m doing fine but the lockdown has made matters worse.” A report by Hindustan Times indicates that he’s struggling for medicines, groceries and basic needs. The actor appealed to the people in the film industry to help him.
“I got so much love as an actor, I need some attention now as a human in need.”
The actor, who also worked in Bollywood movies like ‘Aunty No 1’ and ‘Pyaar Toh Hona He Tha’ had moved to Punjab from Mumbai and started an acting school in 2011. But that didn’t go well. He and his wife also later parted ways. “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.”
Considered as one of the most successful regional film actors back in the days, Kaul says that he’s grateful for the love he got from people during his acting days. “It’s ok if they’ve forgotten me. I got so much love and I’m grateful. I will forever be indebted to the audience for that. Right now, I wish I am able to buy a decent place of my own where I can stay.”
Yearning to return back to acting, Kaul says:
“The fire to act is still alive in me. It isn’t over. I wish someone gives me a role even today, any role, and I would do it. I’m raring to act again.”
It’s heartbreaking to see the veteran actor in such a terrible state. We hope help reaches him at the earliest and he’s able to rise from the misery and shine again, like the good old days.