MUMBAI: Fans, fame, a fancy lifestyle…Satish Kaul had it all years ago, when he was a popular name in television and in Punjabi films. But he suffered a huge financial blow after his acting school shut shop. Eventually, the actor, who is still remembered as Lord Indra in BR Chopra’s ‘Mahabharat’, lost all his money.

Today, he doesn’t even have enough money to meet his basic expenses. For the past few years, he has been staying with a nurse (Satya), who used to take care of him in an old-age home. Actress Priti Sapru, who has constantly stayed in touch with Satish, says, 'He calls me whenever he is in distress. That’s how I am aware of his situation. He has been staying at Satya’s home since three years; she was nursing him when he was in an old-age home in Ludhiana. I once visited him at her place during a shoot. I also tried to raise funds for him and wrote to the government Punjab, as he worked in the Punjabi film industry. The Punjab government gave him Rs 5 lakh and others helped him, too.'

The actress wishes that Satish, who is in his 70s, was a little wise with his money. She says, 'I blame only him and his foolishness for his current situation. He didn’t save when he was working. Now, he is completely dependent on others. He is broke. Had he been fine, he would have got work in daily soaps and Punjabi films. But, unfortunately, he had a fall around three years ago and hurt his backbone. He had to be operated on immediately. Back then, my sister and I had sent him money for the surgery.'

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Priti last met Satish around five months ago, when he came to Mumbai. She recalls, 'I had invited him and Satya for lunch. I also made him write a letter to Indian Motion Pictures Producers’ Association (IMPAA) seeking financial aid, as the association is helping a lot of needy people. I feel people should come forward and help Satish, too. The government and the film industry should collectively devise a plan to secure the future of artistes, who are old and out of work. There is no one to help the needy in the industry.' 
The actress also wants the veteran actor to return to the old-age home and lead a comfortable life.

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Credits: TOI