Veteran Bollywood actor Satish Shah, best known for his memorable comic roles in films and television, passed away on Saturday in Mumbai. He was 74.

Filmmaker Confirms The News

Confirming the tragic news, filmmaker Ashoke Pandit expressed grief over the actor’s demise, saying that Shah died around 2:30 pm following kidney failure. His condition reportedly worsened at home before being rushed to the hospital, where he could not be revived. His cremation is expected to take place later today.

“It’s a very big loss for the industry. I have worked with him on many projects,” said the filmmaker, recalling that he learned about Shah’s death shortly after attending adman Piyush Pandey’s last rites.

A Legacy Of Laughter

Born on June 25, 1951, in Bombay (now Mumbai), Satish Shah hailed from a Kutchi Gujarati family. His career began in 1978 with Arvind Desai Ki Ajeeb Dastaan, but it was his portrayal of Municipal Commissioner D’Mello in the 1983 satire Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro that brought him widespread recognition.

Over a remarkable film career spanning decades, Shah appeared in more than 250 movies, including Hum Saath Saath Hain (1999), Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003), Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004), and Om Shanti Om (2007).

Television Stardom

Shah also left a lasting impact on Indian television. His 1984 sitcom Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi became iconic, where he played a new character in each of its 55 episodes. His role as Indravadhan Sarabhai in Sarabhai vs Sarabhai (2004), opposite Ratna Pathak Shah, remains one of the most loved comic portrayals in Indian TV history.

He also starred in Filmy Chakkar (1995) and later judged comedy-based reality shows such as Comedy Circus, continuing his association with humour and entertainment.

The national capital witnessed a marginal improvement in air quality on Saturday morning, yet pollution levels remained within the ‘poor’ category as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 259 at 8 am, prompting authorities to continue implementing Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR.

Several pockets record severe pollution levels

Despite the slight improvement, several areas continued to report alarming pollution levels. Anand Vihar in east Delhi registered an AQI of 412, placing it in the ‘severe’ category, while RK Puram and Patparganj recorded 265 and 263 respectively — both under the ‘poor’ bracket. Bawana reported a ‘very poor’ AQI of 336, and ITO stood at 248. Dwarka fared comparatively better with 276, still falling under the ‘poor’ category.

Truck-mounted water sprinklers were deployed on Janpath Road to suppress dust and particulate matter, as air pollution persisted unevenly across the city.

Government pushes cloud seeding initiative

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta reiterated that cloud seeding has become a necessary experiment to counter Delhi’s pollution crisis. She said it marks the first such attempt in the national capital and expressed optimism that it could bring relief from the worsening air quality.

Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the government has completed preparations for artificial rain, with cloud formations expected between October 28 and 30. The plan is to conduct physical trials and possibly induce rain on October 29.

Experts warn of health concerns

Former AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria cautioned that the prolonged exposure to high pollution levels can lead to acute respiratory and cardiac issues, particularly among children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing lung conditions. He noted that even healthy individuals are reporting throat irritation, chest tightness, and coughing.

He also pointed out that post-Diwali firecracker use, including so-called “green crackers,” has worsened air pollution further.

Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha has hinted at a “larger conspiracy” behind Thursday evening’s violent clashes in Shantirbazar, Dhalai district, which erupted during a 24-hour statewide bandh called by Tiprasa Civil Society, a group affiliated with BJP’s ally Tipra Motha.

Speaking to reporters after visiting the injured at Agartala Government Medical College and GBP Hospital, Saha condemned the attacks on government officials and civilians, asserting that the unrest appeared to be a deliberate attempt to destabilise the state.

“This is clearly part of a conspiracy. The government will not tolerate such acts, and police have been instructed to act firmly against the culprits,” he said.

Saha’s remarks come at a time of visible strain between the BJP and Tipra Motha. He warned that those trying to “create pressure on the government through violence” would face strict action.

In his earlier social media post, Saha had denounced the “violent attack by Tipra Motha supporters” on Block Development Officer Abhijit Majumder, engineer Animesh Saha, and several local residents, describing the incident as “unacceptable” and directing officials to ensure “swift and strict action.”

When asked whether the bandh-related violence was part of pressure tactics by the alliance partner, the chief minister said, “That pressure will be diminished in due course of time.” On being pressed about factionalism within the BJP, he added that “conspiracy covers everything,” a remark widely viewed as an indirect admission of internal tensions.

Violence During Bandh

The violence reportedly broke out when bandh supporters clashed with local shopkeepers, attacking them and on-duty officials with sticks and rods, and looting valuables. Several police personnel, administrative officers, and a trader named Subrata Paul sustained injuries in the attack.

Tripura BJP president and Rajya Sabha MP Rajib Bhattacharjee also termed the incident a “planned conspiracy” aimed at disturbing law and order and maligning the state’s image.