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Satish Kaul remembered by millions for his portrayal of Indra Dev in B.R. Chopra’s epic TV series Mahabharat was once one of the most recognisable faces of Indian cinema. With a career spanning four decades and over 300 films he was affectionately dubbed “Punjabi cinema’s Amitabh Bachchan.” But despite the accolades and immense popularity his later life was overshadowed by financial troubles and solitude. Born on 8 September 1946 in Kashmir Satish was the son of poet Mohan Lal Kaul. He completed his schooling in Srinagar before enrolling at the prestigious Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) Pune. His classmates included stalwarts like Jaya Bachchan Danny Denzongpa and Shatrughan Sinha names that went on to dominate Bollywood. How did he conquer Punjabi cinema? Satish Kaul began his journey in Punjabi films during the 1970s. His romantic and emotional roles quickly made him a superstar in the region. Movies such as Sassi Punnu Ishq Nimana Suhag Chooda Patola Azadi Shera De Putt Sher Moula Jatt and Pinga Pyar Diyaan cemented his image as a heartthrob of Punjabi cinema. His popularity was so immense that fans compared him to Amitabh Bachchan a rare feat for any regional star at the time. Did Bollywood give him the same recognition? While Satish Kaul tried his luck in Hindi films he never replicated his Punjabi success. He appeared in notable projects including Warrant (1975) Karma (1986) Aag Hi Aag (1987) Commando (1988) Ram Lakhan (1989) and Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha (1998). On television he played memorable roles in Vikram Aur Betaal and Circus the latter starring a young Shah Rukh Khan. Interestingly Shah Rukh once revealed in an interview “The first film shoot I ever saw was Satish Kaul’s. That’s when I decided to pursue acting.” His contribution to Punjabi cinema was formally recognised in 2011 when he received the PTC Lifetime Achievement Award. Why did his life spiral into struggles? Despite his on-screen glory Satish Kaul’s personal life was full of hardships. His marriage ended in divorce with his wife moving abroad along with their son. In 2011 he shifted from Mumbai to Ludhiana and opened an acting school but the venture ran into heavy losses. Tragedy struck again in 2015 when he fractured his hip after a fall. The injury left him bedridden for nearly two and a half years worsening his financial crisis. In a Punjabi TV interview he spoke candidly about his struggles: “I fell in the bathroom and had to be hospitalised. My house was sold because my school failed. I have no one to care for me since my wife and son left years ago. People promise to help but no one returns.” How did his journey end? On 10 April 2021 Satish Kaul passed away in Ludhiana at the age of 74 after contracting Covid-19. His death was mourned deeply across the industry sparking conversations about how fame often does not guarantee security for ageing actors. His story remains both inspiring and heartbreaking a reminder of the highs and lows of showbiz. Highlights: Satish Kaul dubbed “Punjabi cinema’s Amitabh Bachchan” acted in over 300 films. Despite success his later years were spent in loneliness financial struggles and ill health. He died in 2021 due to COVID-19 complications leaving behind a legacy of cinema and unanswered questions on actor welfare.