Sathyu pursued his schooling and higher education at Mysore and Bangalore. In 1952, he quit college while working on his Bachelor of Science degree and instead plunged into the uncertain world of films in Bombay. He freelanced as an animator in 1952–53. After being unemployed for nearly four years, he got his first salaried job as assistant director to filmmaker Chetan Anand.
Career
He worked in theatre as a designer and director, including designing sets and lights for productions of Hindustani Theatre, Okhla Theatre of Habib Tanvir, Kannada Bharati and other groups of Delhi. In films, he has worked as an art director, camera-man, screenwriter, producer and director. His first film. His fas an independent Art director or Haqeeqat, a film by Chetan Anand, which won him recognition and the 1965 Filmfare Award for Best Art Direction. His filmography includes over 15 documentaries and 8 feature films in Hindi, Urdu and Kannada. His best known work, Garm Hava, is one of the last cinema productions featuring 1950s Marxist cultural activists including Balraj Sahni and Kaifi Azmi. Garm Hava won several Indian national awards in 1974, including a National Integration Award. It was screened in the competitive section at Cannes and was also the Indian entry at the Oscars. It won the Filmfare award for best screenplay. M. S. Sathyu currently is associated mainly with television and stage. In 2013, Sathyu featured in the popular GoogleReunion ad, where he played the role of Yusuf, an elderly Pakistani man who is reunited with his childhood pre-partition friend from India, Baldev.The commercial went viral on social media. Sathyu is one of the patrons of Indian People's Theatre Association. His Play 'Dara Shikoh' is considered a modern classic which was staged by Impresario Asia in Delhi in 2003-4. In the words of noted critic Ramesh Chand Charlie the Stage Play 'Dara Shikoh' is a turning point of traditional theatrical sensibilities. Use of Wali Deccani's period poetry provides this play a very rare artistic and historical context. Dazzling use of Kathak choreography by Rani Khanum and her troupe, and authentic costumes including head gear, swords and period art work were a treat for the eyes. Exemplary use of Sufi music, context and ambiance was very alluring and mesmerising. This play had a good run at cities like Delhi, Gurgaon and Bangalore. There are reports that it is also being made into a Feature Film under the Direction of Sathyu. This play revived interest in the life and ideals of Dara Shikoh. Last, Gopal Gandhi and Pakistan's Ajoka Group also brought Dara Shikoh to life on the stage. Amrita: A Sublime Love Story is another innovative play which is based on the life and writings of famous Punjabi writer Amrita Preetam. Written by Danish Iqbal this play brings into focus the perpetual mystic love of Amrita Preetam. This play reciprocates his earlier play 'Sahir' on Sahir Ludhiyanvi which was directed by Pramila Le Hunt. In 2014, his debut film, Garm Hava was re-released after restoration.
