Satish Shah, the legendary actor celebrated for Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, and countless other roles, passed away on October 25 at the age of 74 due to kidney failure. Among his many memorable performances, his portrayal of a corpse in the 1983 cult classic Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro remains an enduring highlight of Indian cinema.
Kunal Kohli mourns a dear friend
Filmmaker Kunal Kohli took to Twitter to remember Shah and their long-standing friendship.“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,” Kunal wrote.
Laughing about being remembered as a dead body
Kunal recalled a conversation they once shared about how people would remember them after their deaths.“Satish & me were friends that spoke a lot of rubbish—as true friends do. Years ago, while having a drink, we randomly spoke about what we would be known for after we died. He asked me to tell him what he would be known for. I said it’ll be very funny and ironical if he’d be known for playing a dead body after he’s died. We both cracked up laughing about that. Today that’s what’s happened. Sats—I know wherever you are, you’re smiling about this. You were truly one of a kind, my friend.”Kunal also expressed regret for not calling Shah just days before his sudden passing, “Life. This is what happens. Miss you already my friend.”See More: Veteran actor Satish Shah passes away due to kidney failure at 74
The iconic corpse in Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro
Kunal was referring to his own role in Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, where he played Municipal Commissioner D’Mello. Though the character dies early in the film, D’Mello’s dead body becomes the central pivot around which the story’s chaos unfolds, including the climactic Mahabharat stage play sequence—a moment that has cemented Shah’s legacy in Indian cinema.
Satish Shah’s final journey
Satish Shah passed away at his home, and P.D. Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre in Mumbai confirmed the news.“Earlier today, the hospital received an emergency call regarding Mr. Shah’s health. 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 P.D. Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre. Despite the best efforts of our medical team, Mr. Shah could not be revived,” the hospital statement read.The late actor’s body will be kept at his residence—Gurukul, 14 Kalanagar, Bandra (East), near Matoshree—from 10 am to 11 am on October 26 for friends and well-wishers to pay their respects. His last rites will be performed at Pawan Hans cremation ground, S.V. Road, Vile Parle (West), Mumbai, at 12 pm.
