Sarabhai vs Sarabhai actor Satish Shah’s lesser-known facts
Veteran actor Satish Shah, beloved for his iconic role as Indravadhan Sarabhai in Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, passed away on October 25 at the age of 74 due to kidney-related complications. Known for his versatility in films and television, Shah’s fearless comic timing and dignified persona left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry.
The entertainment industry lost a gem in the name of Satish Shah on October 25. He contributed to a number of films and television serials, and most of his roles left a significant impact on the minds of the audience. He was adored for his stint in Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, where he played the part of Indravadhan Sarabhai. He was admitted to Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai on 20 July and discharged on 28 July after making a full recovery, as he had health issues. He died at the age of 74, only recently, from kidney-related conditions. Here are some unknown facts about the actor.
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Rejection Early in his career, Shah found that his unconventional looks hindered him, despite graduating from the prestigious Film and Television Institute of India (FTII). He didn't fit the industry's traditional moulds for heroes, villains, or comedians, which made his struggle for work more difficult.
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Breakthrough In the 1983 cult classic Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, Shah played the role of Municipal Commissioner D'Mello, a corpse whose presence drives the film's plot. His performance, especially in the film's chaotic climax, cemented his reputation as a fearless comic actor.
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Multiple characters in a single show In the popular 1984 sitcom Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi, Shah demonstrated his immense versatility by portraying a new and distinct character in each of the show's 55 episodes.
Film failures While he played quite some supporting roles in films, following the critical and commercial failure of the 2014 film Humshakals, Shah stopped taking on new film roles.
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Controversy While usually calm and composed, during his time at the FTII, both Satish Shah and Shakti Kapoor pursued the actress Daljeet Kaur, and their rivalry reportedly escalated into a physical fight.
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Marriage proposal He met his future wife, designer Madhu Shah, at a film festival and was instantly smitten. He proposed to her twice and was rejected both times before finally winning her heart and getting married in 1982.
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Children Despite being married for a long time, Satish Shah and his wife, Madhu, did not have any children, but they maintained a very private and close decades-long relationship.
Kidney transplant A close friend revealed that the late actor underwent a kidney transplant to extend his life so he could continue to care for his wife, who was suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
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COVID-19 During the pandemic in July 2020, the actor was hospitalised with COVID-19 but was discharged after a full recovery, emerging with renewed gratitude for life and new energy.
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Beyond acting talent Beyond his comedic talent, friends described Satish Shah as having a quiet, dignified demeanour and said that he was an avid reader and amateur painter. He liked exploring different styles of art too.
