Satish Kaushik started his acting career with films like Masoom, Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron, Saagar, Mr India and Ram Lakhan.

He made characters like Calender (in Mr India) unforgettable with his great sense of humour.

Somewhere down the line, the actor went on a signing spree. Meaningless roles followed.

Kaushik then came back as director. Now, he has been voted third best director of 2003 by our readers, as on December 24. Earlier, rediff.com readers had voted for Nikhil Advani, Rakesh Roshan and Ram Gopal Varma in the top three slots. Rediff.com takes you through some of his prominent films.

Satish Kaushik ventured into filmmaking with two mega-budget films, Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja and Prem. Produced by Boney Kapoor, these are two of Kaushik's most expensive films till date.

While the first starred Anil Kapoor and Sridevi, the second saw Sanjay Kapoor make his acting debut. Both films bombed.

One would have thought the Kapoors would not professionally associate with Kaushik after the debacles, but they maintained their close friendship.

In fact, recently, Kaushik and Anil Kapoor started their own production company. However, their first film together, Badhaai Ho Badhaai, flopped.

Boney Kapoor did not produce Hum Aapke Dil… but the film starred dear friend Anil Kapoor opposite Kajol.

The film saw Anil Kapoor steamrollering the simple Kajol into a marital contract. This was one of the first films in which Kajol played a married woman.

Kaushik scored his first hit.

Another Anil Kapoor starrer, this one featured Aishwarya Rai and Sonali Bendre.

Hamara Dil… portrayed Ash as a rape victim who turns to Kapoor for help and shelter. It was inspired by the Telugu film, Pelli Chuskundam.

The film fared decently.

Kareena Kapoor created a strong impression on the film industry with her debut film Refugee, directed by J P Dutta. And Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai, a big hit, consolidated her career.

A Hindi remake of the Telugu film Tholi Prema, it also introduced Tusshar Kapoor.

A feel-good film, it was based on a college romance.

Tere Naam is probably one of Kaushik’s biggest hits till date. This Salman Khan starrer is the most violent film ever attempted by Kaushik.

There were rumours that Salman had slapped Kaushik during the film shooting, though Kaushik denied the rumours.

A remake of Tamil film Sethu, Kaushik now seems to excel in directing Hindi remakes of South films.