October 28, 2025 : The Indian entertainment industry was shaken on October 25, 2025, when news broke that veteran actor Satish Shah, best known for his role as the witty Indravadhan Sarabhai in Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, had passed away in Mumbai at the age of 74.
Initial reports suggested that the actor had succumbed to kidney failure, a condition he had been battling for several months. However, his Sarabhai vs Sarabhai co-star Rajesh Kumar (who played Rosesh Sarabhai) has now clarified that Shah did not die of kidney failure but of a sudden heart attack, setting the record straight after conflicting reports emerged in the media.
Initial Reports and Health Condition
According to early statements from the hospital, Satish Shah was found unresponsive at his home and rushed to P.D. Hinduja Hospital in Mumbai. Doctors attempted resuscitation but were unable to revive him. Several outlets, citing hospital sources, attributed his death to kidney failure.
Shah had undergone dialysis and a kidney transplant earlier in 2025, after years of struggling with kidney disease. This information led many to believe that his kidneys had failed again, causing his demise.
However, close friends and colleagues have now disputed this narrative, saying that while kidney complications were part of his medical history, the immediate cause was cardiac arrest.
Co-Star Clarifies the Cause
Rajesh Kumar, speaking to The Times of India, said:
“It wasn’t kidney failure, as many reports have mentioned. Satish ji had health problems for sure, but what happened was a sudden heart attack. It was quick and unexpected.”
This clarification has been echoed by other industry figures who were in touch with Shah during his final days. According to them, the actor’s kidney function had stabilized after his transplant, and he was even planning to resume light acting projects.
Health Journey and Personal Strength
Shah’s close friend, actor-director Sachin Pilgaonkar, shared that the veteran actor decided to undergo a kidney transplant primarily so he could live longer to care for his wife, Madhu Shah, who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease.
“He told me he wanted more years to look after Madhu. That’s the kind of man he was — selfless and devoted,” Pilgaonkar told The Economic Times.
Unfortunately, Shah’s health began deteriorating a few months after the transplant. Filmmaker David Dhawan, a long-time friend, mentioned that Shah was on regular dialysis sessions and had limited mobility in recent months. Still, those who spoke to him shortly before his death described him as “cheerful and full of life.”
Remembering a Comic Legend
Satish Shah’s legacy spans over five decades of acting in television, theatre, and film.
He first gained fame in the 1980s for his iconic roles in Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi and Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro. Later, he became a household name through Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, where his humorous portrayal of Indravadhan Sarabhai made him a pop-culture icon.
Fans admired his effortless comic timing, natural delivery, and ability to make even simple moments memorable. Over the years, Shah worked in more than 250 films, including Main Hoon Na, Kal Ho Naa Ho, Om Shanti Om, and Hum Saath Saath Hain.
Tributes from Industry and Fans
After news of his passing, tributes poured in from actors, filmmakers, and fans across India.
- Ratna Pathak Shah, who played Maya Sarabhai, called him “the warmest co-star and a pillar of the Sarabhai family.”
- Karan Johar wrote, “Satish Shah’s wit was unmatched, and his kindness even more so. We’ve lost a true gentleman.”
- At the prayer meet in Mumbai, the Sarabhai vs Sarabhai cast came together and emotionally sang the show’s theme song in his memory — a gesture that touched fans deeply on social media.
Why the Confusion Over Cause of Death?
Medical experts note that in elderly patients with a history of kidney disease, cardiac arrest can sometimes be a secondary result of kidney-related stress. This means the two conditions may be linked — but the immediate medical cause still remains a heart attack, not direct kidney failure.
Thus, while Shah’s prolonged kidney ailment weakened his system, his actual death occurred due to a sudden cardiac event, clarifying the confusion that spread through early, unverified news reports.
Legacy That Lives On
Beyond the screen, Satish Shah was known for mentoring younger actors and maintaining a dignified presence in the industry. He served on multiple film committees and was active in charitable causes.
Even in ill health, he remained witty and optimistic. His last known public appearance was at a film awards event in Mumbai earlier this year, where he joked about his recovery and expressed gratitude for his fans’ love.
As Rajesh Kumar aptly summed up, “Satish ji didn’t just make us laugh — he taught us how to live with humor, no matter the situation.”
Summary
Satish Shah’s death was initially blamed on kidney failure, but co-star Rajesh Kumar has clarified that the beloved actor actually passed away from a sudden heart attack, not kidney complications.