Post by : Meena Ariff

Veteran actor Ratna Pathak Shah has authored a touching column remembering her longtime friend and Sarabhai vs Sarabhai co-star Satish Shah, who passed away on October 25 after suffering a sudden cardiac arrest. In her piece, she reflects on his warmth, humour and the brief final interaction that now feels like a last, wry joke.

A Message That Became a Memory

Writing for The Indian Express, Ratna Pathak Shah described the last message she received from Satish Shah. At 12:57 PM on October 25, he sent a WhatsApp note that read, “I’m often mistaken for an adult because of my age.”

She replied with a smile two hours later at 2:14 PM: “That’s just right for you!” Hours after that, at 3:49 PM, producer JD Majethia rang to break the news: “Satishbhai is no more.”

“At first it felt like some cruel prank,” Ratna recalled. “As reality settled, it became impossible to accept. Satish gone — a man who lived fully, laughed easily and took life’s knocks with a smile — gone.”

She noted that several friends had received similarly cheerful messages from Satish that day, which made the shock even harder to process.

Industry in Shock

Members of the Sarabhai vs Sarabhai family — including Sumeet Raghavan, Rajesh Kumar and JD Majethia — were reportedly stunned by the news. Ratna remembered the group chat filling with disbelief as colleagues tried to come to terms with the loss.

Known for his impeccable comic timing and generosity, Satish remained lively and jovial until his final hours. “He had a gift for making people laugh even when he was unwell or weary,” Ratna wrote.

Clarifying the Cause

Early coverage mentioned kidney issues, but Rajesh Kumar later clarified that Satish Shah suffered a cardiac arrest at his Mumbai residence. He collapsed while having lunch and was taken to hospital, where doctors were unable to revive him.

Satish Shah was 74. Close family and industry colleagues attended his funeral, remembering him as “a man of unmatched humour and grace.”

The Enduring Indravadan

Satish Shah’s Indravadan Sarabhai remains one of Indian television’s most cherished comic figures. Paired with Ratna Pathak Shah’s urbane Maya Sarabhai, he helped shape a sitcom that resonated for its subtle humour and believable family banter. The show continues to find new audiences through reruns and clips online.

Ratna called working with Satish “a creative delight,” adding, “He had an instinct for comedy that was sharp and instinctive. He never upstaged anyone — he lifted every scene.”

Tributes from Peers and Fans

Messages of condolence poured in from across film and television. Producer JD Majethia said, “Satishji was Indravadan on screen and the same witty, warm person off screen. His laughter will stay with us.”

Sumeet Raghavan, who played Sahil, wrote, “We have lost the heart of our Sarabhai family. Satishji was more than a colleague; he was family.” Senior actors such as Boman Irani, Paresh Rawal and Anupam Kher remembered him as a gentleman and a pioneer of understated comedy.

A Career Built on Laughter

Across a career spanning more than four decades, Satish Shah appeared in over 200 films and numerous television projects — from Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi to Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, and films like Main Hoon Na, Om Shanti Om, Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa and Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! His body of work left a lasting impression on Indian entertainment.

Ratna closed her tribute with a reflection on the void he leaves behind:
“Satish carried an airy lightness about him. He turned pain into laughter and made life easier for those around him. That rare gift will be deeply missed.”

As the industry mourns, fans continue to share memorable moments from Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, keeping Indravadan’s spirit alive. For many, Satish Shah’s laughter will remain a timeless reminder of the joy he brought into homes across generations.

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