Veteran actor Satish Shah, best remembered for his unforgettable portrayal of Indravadhan Sarabhai in the sitcom ‘Sarabhai vs Sarabhai’ and the corrupt commissioner D’Mello in the cult classic ‘Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro’, died on October 25. He was 74. Shah leaves behind a legacy that shaped the world of Indian comedy across television and film for nearly half a century.
Born in 1950 to a Kutchi Gujarati family in Mandvi, Satish Shah studied at St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, before enrolling at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII). This formal training provided a foundation for his versatility and later success as an actor in both television and cinema.
Television milestones and iconic roles
Shah’s comic brilliance first came to widespread notice in the 1984 sitcom ‘Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi’, where he played 55 different characters in as many episodes. This unique achievement established him as one of Indian television’s most versatile comic talents. He then starred in ‘Filmy Chakkar’ (1995) on Zee TV, where his chemistry with Ratna Pathak Shah was widely appreciated. The pairing became iconic with ‘Sarabhai vs Sarabhai’ (2004), where Shah’s witty and mischievous Indravadhan Sarabhai became a household name.
Shah began his film career with ‘Arvind Desai Ki Ajeeb Dastaan’ (1978) but gained widespread recognition with ‘Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro’ (1983). His portrayal of the municipal commissioner D’Mello is considered one of Hindi cinema’s standout comic characters. Throughout the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s, he appeared in major films including ‘Kal Ho Naa Ho’ (2003), ‘Main Hoon Na’ (2004), ‘Fanaa’ (2006), and ‘Om Shanti Om’ (2007).
In addition to acting, Shah brought his comic sensibilities to judging reality television, notably serving as a judge on ‘Comedy Circus’ in 2008 alongside Archana Puran Singh. In 2015, he was appointed as a member of the FTII society, reflecting his ongoing engagement with the evolution of Indian cinema and television.
Satish Shah was married to designer Madhu Shah since 1972. He was known for keeping his personal affairs private. During the COVID-19 pandemic in July 2020, he was briefly hospitalised at Mumbai’s Lilavati Hospital but made a full recovery. His friendships and professional rivalries from his FTII days were well-known, including his youthful rivalry with actor Shakti Kapoor.
Shah’s career, spanning over 250 films and numerous television series, leaves a void in Indian entertainment that will be deeply felt.
