Actor Sachin Pilgaonkar Remembers Late Friend Satish Shah: ‘He Fought to Live Longer for His Wife Madhu’
Veteran actor Sachin Pilgaonkar has shared an emotional tribute to his close friend Satish Shah, who passed away on Saturday at the age of 74.
In a heartfelt conversation with the media, Sachin revealed that Satish had undergone a kidney transplant earlier this year because he wanted to extend his life to take care of his ailing wife, Madhu Shah, who is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.
Sachin said, “Satish was on dialysis for a long time. Despite his own health issues, his only concern was Madhu.
He wanted to live longer so that he could look after her. He had also undergone a bypass surgery earlier, which was successful.”
Sachin’s wife, Supriya Pilgaonkar, met Satish just three days before his death. Sachin shared that they often exchanged text messages, and even on the day of his passing, Satish had messaged him.
“I received a message from him at 12:56 pm today. He sounded absolutely fine then. That’s why I’m completely in shock. It’s not just an industry loss; it’s a deeply personal one for me,” he said.
Satish Shah, known for his iconic roles in films and television, passed away at his residence in Bandra East, Mumbai.
His long-time aide and personal assistant, Ramesh Kadatala, who had been with him for over 30 years, confirmed the news to PTI.
Satish Shah’s name was synonymous with laughter. His unforgettable performances in “Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron,” “Maalamaal,” “Hero Hiralal,” “Main Hoon Na,” and “Kal Ho Naa Ho” made him one of the most beloved figures in Indian entertainment.
But it was his role as the witty and sarcastic Indravadan Sarabhai in the cult sitcom “Sarabhai vs Sarabhai” that immortalized him on television.
The show, which aired between 2004 and 2006 on Star One, starred Ratna Pathak Shah, Sumeet Raghavan, Rupali Ganguly, and Rajesh Kumar (who played Rosesh, Satish’s on-screen son).
It was revived for a special second season in 2017 with the same cast, once again winning the hearts of audiences.
According to the show’s creator, JD Majethia, Satish had undergone a kidney transplant surgery two months ago and was slowly recovering. However, his health deteriorated in recent weeks.
The passing of Satish Shah marks the end of an era — of warmth, humor, and effortless acting that touched millions. His legacy as one of India’s most loved comic actors will live on forever.
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