Veteran actress Ratna Pathak Shah has penned a deeply emotional tribute for her close friend and Sarabhai vs Sarabhai co-star Satish Shah, who passed away on October 25 following cardiac arrest. In her candid piece for The Indian Express, Ratna reflected on their decades of friendship, their warmth and humor, and the heartbreaking moments she witnessed at his funeral with his wife, Madhu Shah.
Recalling the day of his last rites, Ratna shared how Satish’s moving face was completely still and she was not sure if he looked peaceful. Surrounded by family and friends, she turned to Madhu, who froze in disbelief. “Is this really happening?” Madhu asked, her eyes wide with shock and her hands stiff, as everyone tried to come to terms with the sudden loss.
Ratna also wrote about the beautiful bond that Satish shared with his wife, describing how deeply he loved her and wanted to live long enough to help her through her difficult times. He recalled how Satish often sang lovingly for Madhu and mused, “Who will sing for her and with her now?” capturing the depth of their connection and the pain of their absence.
Towards the end, Ratna shared how Madhu finally found the strength to join those celebrating Satish’s life. At first she sang softly, hesitant and unsure, but soon she was carried away by the warmth of everyone around her. “His voice rose,” Ratna wrote, “as if he were singing to his Satish.” It was a tender and heartbreaking farewell to a man remembered for his laughter, kindness and spirit.
Also Read: Rajesh Kumar opens up about Satish Shah’s cause of death
