From TV to cinema, Jaane Bhi Do... to Sarabhai: Comic genius who breathed life into array of roles

Satish Shah, whose endearing comic turns in a range of films and TV shows from Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro to Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi and from Main Hoon Na to Sarabhai vs Sarabhai captivated audiences for years, died in Mumbai on Saturday. He was 74.

- Meena Iyer

PD Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre confirmed his death. The hospital said they received a call from his residence, and that a medical team dispatched to his house found him unresponsive.

“Despite the best efforts of our medical team, Mr Shah could not be revived,” the hospital said in a statement.

People close to Shah confirmed he died of a kidney ailment.

Condolences poured in throughout Saturday, including from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who said Shah's “effortless humour and iconic performances brought laughter into countless lives.”

Shah starred in over 200 films and an array of TV shows.

He earned his first stripes with his memorable performance as the unscrupulous municipal commissioner D'Mello in Kundan Shah's satire 'Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro' (1983) - Shah played a dead body for a considerable chunk of the role.

He cemented his reputation with the slice-of-life TV series, 'Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi (1984).

He went on to play comic and character roles in films such as 'Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai (2000) and 'Main Hoon Na' (2003). But Sarabhai vs Sarabhai elevated him to cult status and slingshot him into household repute.