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PTIBollywood actor Satish Shah (File photo) Veteran actor Satish Shah passed away in Mumbai on Saturday at the age of 74. Known for his comic timing and versatility, Shah appeared in over 200 films and television shows during a career spanning more than five decades. He was best known for his performances in Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro and the popular television sitcom Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, among others.Early life and sporting beginningsShah’s journey to the screen began on the cricket fields of South Mumbai, where he once shared his childhood with players such as Sunil Gavaskar and the late Sudhir Naik. Shah often spoke fondly of his early years, recalling in a television interview that he “enjoyed his neighborhood thoroughly” and that “many cricketers came out of the area” where he grew up. He described the Mumbai of his youth as a smaller, quieter city, saying in the same interview that “for us, Mumbai ended at Dadar; going beyond that was beyond imagination.”From sports to the stageThough Shah entered St. Xavier’s College through a sports quota, his focus gradually shifted from athletics to dramatics. He once admitted that he “knew he couldn’t be a Test cricketer” and began to explore acting instead. His introduction to the stage came much earlier, while studying under his Hindi teacher, Mr. Saheb Ali Sayyad, who offered him a lead role in a school play when no other students were available. Shah recalled being nervous before his first performance in the eighth standard, asking others how to act on stage. “Someone told me to look at the sky and speak, someone told me not to look at the audience,” he said. The performance earned him loud applause, which he initially mistook for mockery. “I thought they were making fun of me, but they actually liked my loud voice,” he said. After that success, Shah became a regular performer in school plays.Live EventsAlso read: Satish Shah, actor known for 'Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro' and 'Sarabhai vs Sarabhai', passes awayTheatre and film trainingAt St. Xavier’s College, Shah deepened his interest in theatre, performing alongside seniors such as Farooque Shaikh and Shabana Azmi and taking part in a play directed by Amjad Khan. A friend, Javed Khan, encouraged him and others to apply to the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), where Shah was admitted along with Khan, late Dilip Dhawan and Hari Prithpal Singh Dawl. All four students selected from Mumbai that year were from Xavier’s College.Shah was actively involved in extracurricular activities at Xavier’s, including theatre and music. As secretary of the Sangeet Mandal, he managed events that hosted well-known singers such as Lata Mangeshkar, Geeta Dutt, Manna Dey and Mahendra Kapoor. The college’s cultural programs also nurtured future singers like Anuradha Paudwal, Kavita Krishnamurti, Shailendra Singh and Nitin Mukesh. Reflecting on his college years, Shah described Xavier’s as a place full of talent and enthusiasm. “We used to rehearse for plays till one in the night,” he recalled, adding that “college had the best-looking girls and boys.”Also Read: Satish Shah movies and TV shows: From the ‘patriarch’ of Sarabhai family to Bollywood's iconic comicA prolific acting careerAfter performing well at FTII, Shah began to take acting more seriously. He once said that he “never started acting as a profession” and that he “took life as it came.” His family did not object to his career choice, and he went on to become one of the most recognizable faces in Indian cinema and television. Over the years, Shah’s extensive body of work included roles in more than 200 films and television productions. His memorable performances in Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro and Sarabhai vs Sarabhai earned him widespread acclaim, making him a beloved figure in Indian entertainment.Also Read: When Satish Shah opened up about his struggles as an actor despite being FTII graduateLegacy and remembranceThroughout his life, Shah credited Mumbai for shaping his journey. “I owe everything to my school, my college and this city,” he said. His transition from sports to dramatics, and his eventual success in film and television, remain a testament to his adaptability and enduring passion for performance. Shah is remembered by colleagues and admirers as a grounded performer who carried his art with sincerity and grace.Also Read: Satish Shah death reason: What led to the death of Sarabhai vs Sarabhai actorAdd as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now! 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