Co-stars reminisce good times with late actor Satyen Kappu

Mumbai, Oct 29 (IANS) Character-actor Satyen Kappu, who played Amitabh Bachchan's disgraced father in Yash Chopra's 'Deewaar', passed away quietly and unsung, and his colleagues remember the good times they had with him.

The actor, who started his career in 1962 and went on to do hundreds of films playing the kind father or the evil uncle, died Oct 27. He was last seen in Raman Kumar's 'Sarhad Paar'.

'We were both late starters. He was a very good actor but didn't get his dues. We often ran into one another because we had a common secretary. Eventually, I lost track of his whereabouts. What I remember the most about him is his speech. He spoke very good and fluent Hindi. Another unsung hero from the fringes in our films,' Anupam Kher told IANS.

Though in his later years Satyen could barely walk, he continued to be active on television and was seen in a couple of soaps by Aroona Irani.

Amitabh, who did many films with Satyen, remembers him as fine human being.

'God! It's really sad he's gone. Satyen Kappu was a fine human being. He was an actor of many qualities. But he never got his dues. I did so many memorable films with him including 'Deewaar', 'Raaste Ka Patthar', 'Benaam', 'Kasauti', 'Majboor', 'Zanjeer', 'Kala Pathhar'.... I feel very upset about his going,' Amitabh told IANS.

Yesteryears celebrated actress Asha Parekah recalls Satyen as a thorough gentleman.

'We were together in some films and as members of the Cine Artistes' Association where I was president and he was treasurer. I'd always ask him for gutka and he would smilingly oblige. He was always smiling. Lately, he suffered from ill health. He had a leg problem and couldn't walk.'