Actor Satish Shah, who recently passed away at the age of 74, has left an indelible mark on Indian cinema with his versatile performances. Among his most cherished roles is his unforgettable depiction of a corpse in the 1983 cult classic, Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro. Filmmaker Kunal Kohli shared a touching anecdote on social media, recalling a conversation he had with Shah years ago about how he might be remembered after his death.
Kohli reminisced about their friendship, writing on X, formerly Twitter, “Can’t believe I’m writing this. We created Philips Top10 together. Madhu & you became such good friends. Aise Kaun Jaata Hai (Who goes like this). Can’t believe I won’t hear you call me ‘Kunu Baba’ one more time. Love you Sats.”
He further shared a poignant memory from a past conversation where they discussed their legacies. Kohli had humorously remarked to Shah that it would be both funny and ironic if he were remembered primarily for playing a dead body after his own passing. Kohli expressed, “We both cracked up laughing about that. Today that’s what’s happened. Sats – I know wherever you are – you’re smiling about this.” He also expressed regret for not calling Shah a few days prior when he had him on his mind.
Shah’s iconic role as Municipal Commissioner D’Mello in Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, where his character’s demise becomes a central plot point driving the film’s comedic chaos, continues to be celebrated.
The beloved actor passed away on Saturday, October 25, due to kidney failure. His contributions to television, including the sitcom Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi, and films like Umrao Jaan, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, and Main Hoon Na, are equally cherished, solidifying his status as a legendary performer.
