Rajesh Kumar mourns Sarabhai vs Sarabhai's on-screen father Satish Shah’s demise; says 'Feels like I have lost my father'

Actor and comedian Satish Shah, who was celebrated for his impeccable comic timing and versatility, passed away at the age of 74. His friend and filmmaker Ashoke Pandit confirmed the heartbreaking news on Saturday afternoon through a video message on Instagram.

Pandit wrote, “Sad and shocked to inform you that our dear friend and a great actor Satish Shah has expired a few hours ago due to kidney failure. He was rushed to Hinduja hospital where he breathed his last. A great loss to our industry. Om Shanti.”Now, in an emotional statement, actor Rajesh Kumar, who played the much-loved character Roshesh Sarabhai in the popular sitcom Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, expressed his deep grief over the passing of veteran actor and comedian Satish Shah. Sharing his heartbreak, Rajesh said, “This is the worst hour for me...

I still cannot process that Satish ji is no more... all I can say is that it feels I have lost my father.”

He further added, “A man full of life and humour. Challenging everything. Made his name, left his mark as an actor… this is a big, big loss to the industry and us (Sarabhai’s family). Let’s pray for his departed soul and keep him in your prayers… can’t talk much as not in the right frame of mind.”Rajesh Kumar and Satish Shah shared a remarkable on-screen bond that fans still cherish decades later.

In Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, Satish played the witty and mischievous Indravadan Sarabhai, while Rajesh portrayed his naïve, poetic son Roshesh Sarabhai. Their hilarious father-son banter, filled with playful teasing and comic timing, became one of the most loved aspects of the show. The chemistry between the two actors brought depth and warmth to their characters, turning them into iconic figures in Indian television history.Satish Shah’s portrayal of Indravadan Sarabhai, the fun-loving patriarch who often mocked his son’s poetry and clashed with his sophisticated wife Maya, remains unforgettable. Fans of the show often recall the way Satish and Rajesh created magic on screen, with their effortless humour and emotional connection.Born in 1951 into a Gujarati family in the erstwhile Bombay State, Satish Shah began his acting career in the 1970s. He rose to fame in 1984 with Kundan Shah and Manjul Sinha’s sitcom Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi, where he impressed audiences by playing 55 different characters. In the 1990s, he appeared in hit sitcoms like Filmi Chakkar and Ghar Jamai. However, it was his role as Indravadan Sarabhai in Sarabhai vs Sarabhai (2004–2006) that truly cemented his legacy as one of India’s finest comic actors.