Veteran Bollywood actor Satish Shah, celebrated for his impeccable comic timing and iconic roles across television and cinema, passed away in Mumbai on Saturday at the age of 74.
According to filmmaker Ashoke Pandit, the actor died due to kidney failure. Shah was rushed to Hinduja Hospital, Shivaji Park, after suddenly falling ill at his residence, where he was later pronounced dead.
Confirming the tragic news, Pandit shared a heartfelt post on Instagram along with a picture and video message mourning his late friend.
In the video, Pandit said, “I would like to share some very sad news. Our friend, a great actor, Satish Shah, passed away due to kidney failure. He suddenly fell ill at home and was rushed to Hinduja Hospital, where he breathed his last. His body will be brought to his Bandra residence.”
Calling it a “huge loss to the industry,” Pandit added, “I have worked a lot with Satish — he was not only a fine actor but a wonderful human being.”
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In his caption, Pandit wrote: “Sad and shocked to inform you that our dear friend and a great actor Satish Shah has passed away due to kidney failure. A great loss to our industry. Om Shanti.”
Shah’s manager later confirmed his death to the Press Trust of India (PTI).
Remembering Satish Shah: Legacy of laughter
Born in 1951 into a Gujarati family in the erstwhile Bombay State, Satish Shah began his acting journey in the 1970s. His breakthrough came in 1984 with the sitcom Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi, created by Kundan Shah and Manjul Sinha, where he played 55 different characters, earning nationwide acclaim for his versatility.
In the 1990s, he starred in popular sitcoms such as Filmi Chakkar and Ghar Jamai. But his most beloved television role came later as Indravadan Sarabhai, the witty patriarch in the cult classic Sarabhai vs Sarabhai (2004–2006), which remains one of Indian television’s most adored shows.
Iconic film career spanning decades
Satish Shah’s film debut dates back to the 1970 film Bhagwan Parshuram, but he gained recognition with roles in Umrao Jaan and Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyun Aata Hai in the 1980s. He became a household name after his unforgettable turn as the corpse in the dark comedy Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, a role that remains etched in Bollywood history.
Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Shah featured in numerous blockbuster films, including Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!, Hero No. 1, Main Hoon Na, Fanaa, and Om Shanti Om.
His final appearance on the big screen was in Sajid Khan’s 2014 comedy Humshakals.
Personal loss to industry
Tributes have poured in from across the entertainment world, with fans and colleagues mourning the loss of a true entertainer. Shah is survived by his wife, Madhu Shah, a fashion designer.
Described as “a fine actor and a wonderful human being” by those who worked with him, Satish Shah leaves behind a legacy that defined humour and heart for generations of viewers.
