Satish Shah is an alumnus of the National School of Drama (NSD), one of India’s most prestigious acting institutions. Satish Shah hails from a royal Gujarati family — his ancestors were once associated with the princely state of Jamnagar.

 Long before playing Indravardhan Sarabhai, he was famous for portraying multiple characters in the iconic 1980s show Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi, where he appeared in a different role every episode.

Satish Shah and his wife Madhu Shah are involved in multiple charitable initiatives, supporting education and healthcare causes. Madhu is a designer by profession

Satish Shah shared a close bond with co-star Ratna Pathak Shah. The actors have been a part of numerous projects together Filmi Chakkar and Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai being a few of their hits 

In this 1983 cult classic, Shah's portrayal of a corrupt municipal commissioner who appears as a corpse is one of his most celebrated and memorable big-screen roles.

He has acted in over 250 Hindi films, including classics like Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, Main Hoon Na, and Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!

His most famous character was in Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, where he played Indravadan Sarabhai, a smart, mischievous, and wonderfully sarcastic patriarch who immediately became a fan favorite. His on-screen chemistry with Ratna Pathak Shah (as Maya Sarabhai) and the rest of the cast, which included Sumeet Raghavan, Rupali Ganguly, and Rajesh Kumar, made television magic.

In 2020, he battled and successfully recovered from COVID-19, later thanking doctors and fans for their prayers.

He was among the first Indian TV actors to popularize situational comedy in the 1980s, paving the way for later shows like Dekh Bhai Dekh and Sarabhai vs Sarabhai.  Apart from comedy, he has delivered serious and emotional performances in films like Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani and Swades.

He has lent his voice to several animated films and ad campaigns, thanks to his powerful dialogue delivery and comic timing.

In Farah Khan's 2004 blockbuster, Shah played a quirky, perpetually spitting professor who adds a significant dose of comic relief to the film. Fans are still in praises for the actor for his performance in the film

Satish was a passionate cricket fan and has attended several major international matches, often cheering for Team India from the stands.

In the hit show Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi (1984), he played over 50 different characters — one in almost every episode — making it one of the most iconic performances in Indian TV history.