He is known for his comedy classic Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983) and his 1986–1987 TV series Nukkad with Saeed Akhtar Mirza.

[2] Shah studied direction at the Film and Television Institute of India in Pune and he developed an interest in the comedy genre.

His directorial debut was the comedy film Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (aka Who Pays the Piper) in 1983.

He was one of the directors of the popular sitcom Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi, which started telecast in August 1984.

In 1988, he started directing sitcom, Wagle Ki Duniya, based on cartoonist, R. K. Laxman's character, the common man, starring Anjan Srivastav.

Preity Zinta gave a critically appreciated performance in the lead role of a teenage single-mother who tries to overcome the values of her society.