A Farewell to the Men Who Made India Smile: A Tribute to Satish Shah and Asrani - Parag Biswas

In the realm of renowned Canadian singer and composer Rufus Wainright’s

thought-provoking compositions, one line that stands out is: “There’s no life

without humour. It can make the wonderful moments of life truly glorious, and

it can make tragic moments bearable.”

This poignant observation illuminates the profound impact that humour has on

our lives and the magnitude of the loss that we will suffer, along with the Indian

film industry, owing to the passing away of two legendary comedians of Indian

cinema – Govardhan Asrani and Satish Ravilal Shah in a span of just five days.

It is because of this perhaps that a scene featuring Shah and Asrani in the 1994

film,

“Ghar Ki Izzat” went viral on social media soon after the news of Shah’s

death broke on October 25.

Born in Mumbai, on June 25, 1951, Shah, like Asrani represented the golden

era of comedy in Indian cinema, where slapstick humour and natural

performances ruled the screen.

Known for his versatility, Satish ji gave Indian cinema some of its most

memorable characters and carved a special place in the hearts of the audience.

In the very popular Doordarshan sitcom “Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi” aired in 1984,

he played various characters with matchless élan and ease.

The rare ability of Shah to blend slapstick with heart not only redefined TV

sitcoms and ensured his place as one of the most influential figures in the

television industry, but also made him immortal in the hearts of his fans when

noted actor Sachin Pilgaonkar revealed soon after his passing away that Shah

had undergone a kidney transplant to extend his life and care for his

wife Madhu, who was battling Alzheimer’s disease.

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With boundless energy, Shah dazzled audiences with his distinctive style and

humour. Whether playing a standing dead-body in “Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro” or

delivering an unforgettable performance in the immensely popular

television sitcom “Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai,” he seamlessly blended humor with

heartfelt emotion.

With his iconic comic roles, which became the backbone of many major Hindi

films and TV series such as “Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro” (1983), “Yeh Jo Hai

Zindagi” (1984), “Kal Ho Naa Ho” (2003), “Sarabhai Vs

Sarabhai (2004),” “Main Hoon Na” (2004), “Fanaa” (2006), and “Om Shanti

Om” (2007), Shah cemented his place as a master of comic timing and dialogue

delivery.

With his unmistakable greasepaint mustache and funny smile, Shah became a

comedic icon both in film and on television.

The Film and Television Institute of India (FTTI) graduate, who had a

challenging start in the entertainment industry, later proved his acting prowess

both on the big and small screen. He not only graced over 250 films across a

five decade career, but also was appointed as an honourable member of the

FTTI.

Before passing into history to become a legend, he proved to the world that

comedy had always been a mirror of the self and the society, reflecting both the

triumphs and the struggles of our lives.

E.OM.