David Dhawan Remembers His Lifelong Friend Satish Shah: A Heartfelt Tribute

Renowned filmmaker David Dhawan expresses his heartfelt emotions as he reminisces about his friend of 50 years, actor Satish Shah, who passed away at the age of 74 on October 25 due to kidney failure.

In a conversation, David stated, “You don’t even know how close we were. We graduated from the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) together. Forget the films we made; we shared a bond for 50 years! I focused on editing while he excelled in acting. This news has left me in shock.”

David fondly recalls, “I have such great memories with him. He used to receive dialysis at Leelavati hospital in Mumbai. Whenever I was shooting at Mehboob Studios, I would ask him, ‘Will you come?’ and he always made it a point to meet everyone on set! Initially, he was doing well, but things changed after his kidney replacement. He even spent some time in Kolkata.”

The two collaborated on iconic comedies like Hero No.1 (1997) and Saajan Chale Sasuraal (1996). David describes Satish as an exceptional actor, saying, “We would all laugh remembering him at FTII. His circle of friends was vast, and although we met less recently, we enjoyed long chats over the phone. He sent me random messages and cartoons, and I would tease him, asking, ‘What are you up to, Satish?’ He even said he wanted to take a break from work after years of dedication.”

With a trembling voice, David adds, “Satish was not just a great actor but also a fantastic dancer. He had an incredible rhythm and a beautiful singing voice. He was truly talented. What can I say... Satish was one of a kind.”