Veteran Bollywood and television actor Satish Shah, celebrated for his impeccable comic timing and versatility, passed away on Saturday in Mumbai due to kidney failure. He was 74.
Confirming the news, filmmaker Ashoke Pandit told NDTV, “With a heavy heart, I want to say that our friend and a very good actor, Satish Shah, died around 2:30 pm today due to kidney failure. His health deteriorated at home, and he was rushed to the hospital, but sadly he could not survive. His cremation will take place today. It’s a huge loss for the industry.”
Shah, who enjoyed a career spanning over four decades, became a household name with the iconic 1984 sitcom Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi, directed by Kundan Shah and Manjul Sinha, in which he played 55 different characters in as many episodes. He later starred as Prakash in Filmy Chakkar (1995) on Zee TV and headlined popular shows such as Ghar Jamai (1997) and All the Best on DD2.
He found renewed fame among younger audiences for his role as Indravadan Sarabhai in the cult classic Sarabhai vs Sarabhai (2004), which remains one of Indian television’s most loved sitcoms.
On the big screen, Shah delivered memorable performances in films such as Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983), Umrao Jaan, Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyun Aata Hai, Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Main Hoon Na, and Fanaa, among others.
Shah married fashion designer Madhu Shah in 1972.
Mourning his death, comedian Johnny Lever wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “Feeling extremely sad to share that we’ve lost a great artist and my dearest friend of over 40 years. It’s hard to believe — I had spoken to him just two days ago. Satish Bhai, you will truly be missed. Your immense contribution to film and television will never be forgotten.”
