When Satish Shah spoke about his struggles despite being an FTII graduate: I was not that good looking

Satish Shah throwback

Veteran actor Satish Shah, who passed away on Saturday at the age of 74, will always be remembered for his effortless comic timing and unforgettable performances in Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, and Main Hoon Na among many others.

But long before he became one of India’s most beloved character actors, he endured years of rejection and struggle even as an alumnus of the prestigious Film and Television Institute of India (FTII).

Speaking to Komal Nahta’s on his chat show Aur Ek Kahani, the actor had opened up about his early days in Mumbai and the harsh realities of trying to make it in films despite formal training. Reflecting on that phase, Satish recalled that his FTII background brought him a certain level of respect, but no real work.

Also Read: Remembering Satish Shah: The legend who redefined Indian television comedy

"When I would say that I have come from the institute, I would get a bit of respect, but that’s about it. There was no other advantage whatsoever," he said. "It was a time when actors would be selected after their black and white pictures were seen, and that wouldn’t work for me as I was not that good looking. They wouldn’t think that I am the new Shammi Kapoor, and I was aware of it. I had not come to become a hero."

Also Read: Satish Shah remembered Shammi Kapoor in a heartfelt post a day before his death

Satish’s humility and wit often shone through when he spoke about his early failures. Recalling a particularly amusing incident, he said, "The kind of things that have happened with me, I share with a laugh. I went to a producer’s office… One producer I met there was quite impressed that I was from the film institute. He asked me if I had studied film direction, editing, etc., and was shocked when I said that I was an actor. So he asked me to leave my picture with him, and that he would call me when there is a role."

However, he revealed that even that small opportunity didn’t go anywhere. "In those days, pictures were expensive, so I didn’t leave my picture with him. I told him I’ll send it over to him later. I was sure that he would never call me, and I’d never have to send him my picture," he laughed.

The actor said he tried several ways to land roles, but nothing seemed to work in his favour initially. Yet, perseverance eventually paid off. His breakthrough came with Ramesh Sippy’s Shakti (1982), where he shared screen space with legends Amitabh Bachchan and Dilip Kumar.

From those humble beginnings, Satish Shah went on to carve an extraordinary legacy across cinema and television, proving that talent and tenacity can outshine every obstacle. Over a five-decade career, Satish Shah became one of India’s most beloved comic actors.

He was last seen on screen in Humshakals in 2014. Throughout his career, he won several accolades including three Indian Television Academy Awards for Sarabhai vs Sarabhai alone.

According to reports, Satish Shah was rushed to Hinduja Hospital in Mumbai, where he breathed his last. The family is expected to release details about the cremation later today.