A wave of heartfelt tributes has poured in for veteran actor Satish Shah, as numerous celebrities, including Kajol, R Madhavan, and Karan Johar, honored his memory, fondly remembering him as a true legend.
Shah, aged 74, peacefully passed away on Saturday afternoon at his home in Bandra East.
He was widely celebrated for his memorable performances in iconic films like Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron and Main Hoon Na, as well as the beloved sitcom Sarabhai vs Sarabhai.
R Madhavan, who shared screen space with Shah in the 1997 sitcom Ghar Jamai, penned a touching tribute on his Instagram. His post featured a cherished photo of himself alongside Shah and Mandira Bedi, who also starred in the popular show.
Madhavan’s emotional message read: "The heavens will undoubtedly be a merrier and happier place now. Satish Ji, you’ll be making the Gods laugh out loud as they admire their own creation. Thank you for being such a steadfast support, a solid wind beneath my wings early in my career, for consistently believing in me and always encouraging me."
Kajol expressed her sorrow on Instagram, writing: "Gone too soon, but your laughter will echo forever. Rest in peace, Satish Ji." Karan Johar also posted a picture of the actor on his Instagram story with a simple, "Om Shanti."
Filmmaker Farah Khan recalled Shah as a "joy to know and work with," adding, "Rest in peace, dearest Satish. You were truly a pleasure to be around and collaborate with. I’ll miss you sending me memes and jokes every single day."
Ameesha Patel, reflecting on her debut film Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai, described her experience with Shah as a privilege. She posted on Instagram, "Saddened to hear this heartbreaking news!! It was truly a privilege to work with him in my debut film Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai."
Sanjay Kapoor simply wrote, "RIP. You will always be missed." Fellow actor Rajpal Yadav, who collaborated with Shah on films like Mujhse Shaadi Karogi and Bhoothnath, conveyed his grief: "Satish bhai, you’ll be missed. Om Shanti."
Rakul Preet Singh shared a poignant message: "Heartbreaking. My childhood was shaped by the laughter you brought into our lives. It’s truly difficult to say goodbye. Thank you for all the joy you gifted us, Satish Sir. Rest in peace."
Genelia Deshmukh also posted her tribute: "RIP Satishji. My first onscreen dad, and how incredibly lucky I was to spend those initial years working alongside a stalwart like Satishji."
Born on June 25, 1951, Satish Shah was a celebrated personality in Indian cinema and television. His illustrious career spanned decades, earning him widespread acclaim for his impeccable comedic timing in films including Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, Maalamaal, Hero Hiralal, Main Hoon Na, and Kal Ho Naa Ho.
An alumnus of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Shah began his career with smaller roles in films such as Arvind Desai Ki Ajeeb Dastaan (1978) and Gama (1979).
His breakthrough came when he became a household name following his role as the corrupt municipal commissioner D’Mello in filmmaker Kundan Shah’s 1983 cult classic, Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro.
Beyond films, he was equally renowned for his television work, notably in series like Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi (1984), where he impressively played 55 distinct characters in 55 episodes, and Filmi Chakkar (1995).