The entertainment world is mourning the passing of veteran actor Satish Shah, known for his distinctive comedic roles and extensive career across film and television. His death was confirmed by director Vivek Sharma, a close friend and collaborator on films like ‘Bhoothnath’, who shared an intimate account of Shah’s final moments and a comprehensive look at his life with Amar Ujala.
Sharma revealed that Shah was like an elder brother and a mentor to him, with the two speaking almost daily. Their last conversation occurred just on Saturday morning. Sharma initially struggled to believe the news when it reached him later that day. It was Ramesh, who Shah considered a son despite having no biological children, who confirmed the tragic details, stating Shah passed away at his dining table while eating, and was later declared deceased at the hospital.
Their bond remained strong, even in Shah’s final days. Just six days prior to his passing, Shah had sent Sharma a selfie, proudly noting his weight loss and jokingly asking if he looked more handsome. Sharma had promised to work with him again starting in November. He also expressed deep regret over not being able to meet Shah recently, explaining that doctors had advised against visitors due to Shah’s kidney problems and the risk of infection.
Shah’s talent was undeniable and recognized by industry titans. Sharma recalled working with Shah on ‘Dil Hai Hindustani’ and ‘Main Hoon Na’, before directing him in ‘Bhoothnath’ and ‘Kal Kisne Dekha’. He described a strong, familial bond and shared that even superstar Shah Rukh Khan held immense admiration for Shah’s abilities. Khan reportedly insisted that only Shah could master the iconic “spitting in classroom” scene as Professor Madhav in ‘Main Hoon Na’, a performance that became highly popular.
Beyond his on-screen humor, Shah was known for his profound kindness and generosity. Sharma revealed that Shah discreetly helped numerous struggling artists, often offering them shelter in his own home. He mentioned that actress Deepti Naval had stayed with Shah for a period, with many such untold stories of his benevolence. Shah also held a deep affection for Naseeruddin Shah, consistently supporting him during public criticism on social media, and Naseeruddin Shah was frequently by his side during his hospital visits. Shah also maintained a close, familial relationship with actress Rupali Ganguly.
Despite his immense talent and generosity, Shah had stepped back from mainstream films for a specific, disheartening reason. He once called Sharma to discuss fair compensation for work on OTT platforms. Shah confided that he felt producers were not treating senior actors with the same respect as newer talent, citing disparities in perks like car assignments. While this frustration led him to distance himself from the industry, he had assured Sharma he would always be willing to work on his projects. Sharma concluded by expressing the profound sadness he feels at the loss of his friend and mentor.