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‘Everything fell into my lap’: Satish Shah reflected on his career and role in DDLJ in one of his last interviews

In one of his last interviews before his passing, Satish Shah reflected on his 1995 film Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. The actor also shared that he never had to ask anyone for work; opportunities simply found their way to him.

3 min readNew DelhiUpdated: Oct 26, 2025 01:22 PM IST

Satish Shah's last interview with SCREEN before his demise.

Veteran actor Satish Shah, known for his roles in Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, Main Hoon Na, and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, passed away on Saturday at the age of 74. Just days before his demise, the actor spoke to Screen as DDLJ marked 30 years since its release. In the heartfelt conversation, Satish reflected on his experience of working on a Yash Raj Films set. He also shared that he never had to ask anyone for work; opportunities simply found their way to him.

Talking about Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol’s romantic classic, Satish Shah said, “Everyone who was a part of DDLJ has a reason to be proud. Naturally, I am also proud.”

The actor added, “I had just finished doing Hum Aapke Hain Koun and it had become a bumper superhit. I told Yash ji while doing this film that I am getting the same feeling while doing this one that I got at that time. He said, ‘Tumhaare muh mein ghee shakkar.‘ When it happened, he kept telling me that I am a seer. He was a very sweet person.”

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Satish Shah recalled how Yash Chopra used to create a warm atmosphere on the set of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and shared, “He used to be on the set and do a lot of leg pulling of one person or the other. It was a very friendly atmosphere. I was at ease also because Shah Rukh had worked with me in earlier films as well.”

He continued, “I was working with Yash ji for the first time, but I was confident enough about what I can and cannot do. Most of them were friendly; they were kids. I was a senior at that time. I have seen Kajol as a bacha. It was fun. Food and other things were never a problem in a Yash Raj production. Everything was organised.”

Satish Shah went on to share that he never had to request any role from anyone. “I am not being bashful, but thankfully, I have never ever gone to ask for a role to anybody. It all came and fell in my lap because of my work. Someone from YRF came and asked if I could do this role. I told him my schedule and he only finalized the money and everything. I didn’t even have to go to the YRF office. It all fell in place like a jigsaw puzzle. I never had to do anything, actually I am lazy that way,” he concluded.

Navya Kharbanda

Navya Kharbanda is an Entertainment Journalist and Cinematic Commentator at The Indian Express, where she specializes in bridging the gap between classic Bollywood heritage and contemporary Gen-Z perspectives. Her work is characterized by a blend of nostalgia-driven analysis and on-the-ground reporting from major film festivals and industry events. Experience & Professional Background Navya is a prominent voice on The Indian Express entertainment desk, known for her ability to secure candid interviews with both legendary veterans and rising stars. Her career highlights include: The Indian Express: Covers a wide range of topics from high-stakes box office analysis to in-depth celebrity profiles. She is a regular at major events like the International Film Festival of India (IFFI). SCREEN Interviews: Navya has conducted a series of "exclusive conversations" for SCREEN, featuring industry stalwarts like Anupam Kher, Vishal Bhardwaj, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, and Suhasini Maniratnam. Archival Reporting: She is noted for her sensitive handling of archival interviews and retrospectives, recently covering the legacy of late superstar Dharmendra and the career reflections of the late Satish Shah. Expertise & Focus Areas Navya’s beat is uniquely defined by her "Gen-Z Revisit" series, where she re-evaluates cult classics through a modern lens. Her core areas of expertise include: Cinematic Retrospectives: Analyzing 80s and 90s landmarks like Satyam Shivam Sundaram, Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, and Mohabbatein to explore how themes of romance and rebellion resonate with today’s youth. Industry Insights: Tracking the career resurgences of actors (e.g., Akshaye Khanna) and the evolving dynamics of film production and distribution in the OTT era. On-Set Dynamics: Reporting on behind-the-scenes stories from major productions, ranging from the technical challenges of Mirzapur: The Film to the work ethics of superstars like Shah Rukh Khan. South Indian Cinema: Expanding her coverage to include the impact of regional icons and the rise of pan-Indian fantasy epics like Magadheera. Authoritativeness & Trust Navya Kharbanda has established her authority by consistently providing "Journalism of Courage" in the entertainment sphere. Whether she is interrogating the sexism in patriarchal classics or reporting on the fair-pay debates at international film festivals, her work prioritizes factual accuracy and critical objectivity. Her ability to synthesize deep industry history with modern audience trends makes her a trusted source for readers seeking both entertainment news and thoughtful cultural commentary. ... Read More

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