Satish Kaushik started his career as an assistant director to Shekhar Kapoor in the film Masoom (1983). He also performed as an actor in this film, his first. His first film as a director was Sridevi Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja (1993). His second was Prem (1995), which was supposed to be Tabu's launch film. Both were box-office disasters, He continued his film making and got his first hit with Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain in 1999. He is well known for his role as 'Calendar' in the hit film Mr. India, alongside Anil Kapoor and Sridevi. He also was noted for his character of "Pappu Pager" in the comedy Deewana Mastana (1997), directed by his friend David Dhawan.