Satish Shah Dies: Why ‘Sarabhai vs Sarabhai’ Actor Once Called Himself a ‘Spitting Cobra’

Veteran actor Satish Shah passed away on Saturday due to kidney failure, as confirmed by filmmaker Ashoke Pandit. Tributes poured in across social media, with fans and colleagues remembering his iconic roles.

Among the clips that resurfaced was an interview where Shah referred to himself as a "Spitting Cobra" for his memorable performance in Farah Khan's Main Hoon Na. His fans fondly remembered his comic timing and versatile roles.

The 'Spitting Cobra' Role

In the film, Shah played Professor Rasai, a character with sialoquent, a rare condition that causes excessive spitting while speaking. He revealed that he gulped water before his scenes and sometimes accentuated it so much that it sprayed.

He shared that it was Shah Rukh Khan who convinced him to take up the role. SRK's laughter often made filming the scenes challenging, turning simple takes into hilarious, unforgettable moments on set.

Hilarious On-Set Retakes

Shah recalled that one particular scene required eight retakes because Shah Rukh Khan couldn't stop laughing. At one point, he got really angry and announced that if they didn't get the shot, he wouldn't do it again.

Even then, SRK's laughter continued during the next take. The filmmakers had to insert a shot of Zayed Khan to complete the scene. This behind-the-scenes chaos became one of the most talked-about moments from the film.

Spitting Antics Continued

Satish Shah also carried this spitting habit into subsequent shoots, once playfully spraying Govinda, who smiled and wiped his face. These anecdotes reflect his sense of humor and dedication to bringing authenticity to even unusual roles.