‘Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron’: Actor Satish Shah bids goodbye to world

Bollywood actor Satish Shah, whose very presence in films such as “Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron” and “Main Hoon Na” and sitcom “Sarabhai vs Sarabhai” elicited smiles and laughs, died at the age of 74 on Saturday.

The ever-amiable Shah passed away at his residence in Bandra East in the afternoon, Ramesh Kadatala, his trusted aide and personal assistant for over 30 years, said.

“He died due to kidney failure. His health suddenly deteriorated at his home and he was taken to Hinduja hospital, where he passed away...It is a huge loss for our industry. He was a jovial person,” close friend and industry colleague Ashoke Pandit added.

In a statement, PD Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre said it received an emergency call regarding Shah’s health earlier in the day. “An ambulance with a medical team was immediately sent to his residence, where he was found to be unresponsive. CPR was started in the ambulance itself and continued on arrival at the hospital. Despite the best efforts of our medical team, Shah could not be revived,” the hospital said in a statement.

A close friend and collaborator added that Shah had undergone a kidney transplant three months ago. Born on June 25, 1951, Shah was a prominent figure in Indian cinema and television. His career spanned several decades, during which he earned acclaim for his comedic timing in movies such as Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, Maalamaal, Hero Hiralal, Main Hoon Na and Kal Ho Naa Ho.

He was married to designer Madhu Shah. His last rites will be performed at Pawan Hans cremation ground on Sunday.

A graduate of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Shah initially appeared in minor roles in films such as Arvind Desai Ki Ajeeb Dastaan (1978) and Gaman (1979). He played a small yet pivotal part in Muzaffar Ali’s Umrao Jaan (1981) as Dilawar, the man who sells Rekha’s Amiran to courtesans in Lucknow.

He became a household name after he featured in the 1983 cult classic Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, playing the role of the corrupt municipal commissioner D’Mello.

A satirical comedy on corruption, starred Shah alongside renowned actors like Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri, and Pankaj Kapur. Though his role was largely that of a dead body, it became one of the most unforgettable parts of the film.

He was also known for his roles in television series such as Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi (1984), where he portrayed 55 different characters across 55 episodes, and Filmi Chakkar (1995), where he played the character of film buff Prakash Jaisawal.

In the early 2000s, Shah starred in the popular sitcom Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, alongside Ratna Pathak Shah, Rupali Ganguli, Sumeet Raghavan and Rajesh Kumar.

Shah also appeared in several mainstream blockbuster films, including Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Main Hoon Na, Om Shanti Om, Fanaa, and Hum Aapke Hain Koun.

Many prominent personalities from the film industry condoled Shah’s death on social media. “Rest in peace dearest Satish. you were a joy to know n work with. will miss u sending me memes n jokes everyday (sic),” posted Farah Khan.

“The heavens will be a merrier and a happier place now. Satish Ji will make the Gods laugh out loud as they admire their own creation. Thank you for being such a solid wind beneath my wings early on in my career…for constantly believing in me and egging me on. You will be missed Satish Ji,” posted actor R Madhavan, who appeared with Shah in 1997 show Jamai Raja.