Bollywood’s Heart Beats Heavy: Asrani and Satish Shah Pass Away Within Days

Mumbai, October 25 (TNA) The Indian film industry is reeling under heartbreak after the passing of two beloved comedy legends - Govardhan Asrani and Satish Shah - within a span of just five days. Veteran actor Asrani, 84, passed away on October 20, 2025, at the Bharatiya Arogya Nidhi Hospital in Mumbai after complications arising from a respiratory illness.

The Sholay and Chupke Chupke star, who delighted audiences for over five decades, had reportedly suffered fluid accumulation in his lungs. His funeral took place the same evening in a private ceremony at the Santacruz Crematorium, as per his wishes.

Just days later, on October 25, fellow actor and close contemporary Satish Shah, 74, succumbed to kidney failure at Hinduja Hospital. Best remembered as Indravadan Sarabhai from the cult sitcom Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, and for his comic flair in films like Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro and Main Hoon Na, Shah’s passing has deepened the sense of grief enveloping the industry.

Tributes have poured in from colleagues, fans, and leaders alike. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences, calling both actors “pillars of Indian comedy whose artistry transcended generations.” Actors Amitabh Bachchan, Boman Irani, and Paresh Rawal remembered their contributions as “timeless institutions of humour and humanity”.

The back-to-back losses mark the end of an era for Hindi cinema’s golden age of character actors — two performers who transformed laughter into art. While Asrani’s exuberant jailor from Sholay became iconic in Indian pop culture, Shah’s satirical sophistication on television made him a household favourite. Bollywood’s heart beats heavy this week — mourning not just two men, but two milestones of Indian cinematic joy