October 29, 2025 : In a deeply emotional tribute to his longtime friend and colleague, actor Naseeruddin Shah lamented that Satish Shah—who passed away on October 25, 2025—was never afforded the full range of roles his talent deserved, and blamed the Hindi film industry’s penchant for type-casting for that limitation.
In his note, published in The Indian Express, Naseeruddin recalled meeting Satish at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) years ago. He wrote that Satish’s “facial, vocal and bodily expressiveness was absolutely original and his joy at performing was infectious.” He expressed regret that despite these gifts—his acute perception of people, his understanding of acting, his impeccable timing—Satish allowed himself to be pigeon-holed as a comedian “and stayed stuck there, seemingly content with it.”
Naseeruddin also reflected more broadly on what he called a “dark week for comedy”, referencing the passing of three beloved comedic figures including Satish Shah, Asrani and Piyush Pandey. He wrote that Satish’s death hit him hardest — “not only because he had been a friend for over 50 years but also because he was the closest to my age and I hardly needed this grim reminder that, we, of that generation, are all on borrowed time now.”
The industry has mourned Satish Shah’s passing at age 74. Colleagues and fans emphasised his knack for making people laugh while also commending the depth he brought to roles many dismissed as mere comedy.
However, in his tribute, Naseeruddin raised an uncomfortable question: “Why does ‘Follywood’—as I often call our Hindi film industry—never let actors escape type-casting?” He wondered if there was “some dark purpose” behind it.
In effect, his message was two-fold: a farewell to a beloved friend and performer—and a critique of an industry that, in his view, valued caricature over the full potential of actors like Satish Shah.
Naseeruddin concluded his tribute with a poignant desire: to share the stage with Satish once more, “in the theatre up in the sky.”
Summary
Naseeruddin Shah mourns Satish Shah’s death, praising his talent and lamenting how the industry boxed him into comedy, questioning why Hindi cinema doesn’t let gifted actors escape type-casting.