Legendary Marathi theatre director Vijaya Mehta passes away, Anupam Kher pays emotional tribute
Mumbai, July 1
Veteran Marathi theatre doyenne Vijaya Mehta died on Tuesday at her residence. She was 91. Fondly called "Bai," Mehta was a pioneering director, actor and producer who reshaped modern Indian theatre and cinema.
The news of her demise was shared by actor Anupam Kher on his Instagram account.
Expressing his grief, Kher dropped an emotional video and post, recalling Vijaya Mehta's immense contribution to theatre and cinema.
"VIJAYA MEHTA- THE ICONIC LEGEND! Deeply saddened to learn about the passing of #VijayaMehta. One of the finest theatre minds India has ever produced, an exceptional filmmaker, and above all, a remarkable human being. I had the privilege of working with Vijaya Bai in Rao Saheb and Pestonjee. I had already done a few films by then and thought I understood something about acting. But every rehearsal with her reminded me how vast the ocean of this craft really is. In front of her wisdom, her understanding of human behaviour, and her extraordinary sensitivity, I happily became a student again," Kher wrote.
"She never imposed her knowledge. She illuminated it. She never raised her voice. She raised your standards. Her discipline came wrapped in grace, her warmth in humility, and her brilliance in simplicity. The cruelest thing about death is that within moments of hearing the news, we are forced to speak about someone we love in the past tense. The heart takes much longer to accept what the mind has just been told," he added.
Kher thanked his "Vijaya Bai" for her "generosity, affection, guidance, and for reminding so many of us that acting is not about performing... it is about understanding life."
"You will always remain present in the countless actors, directors and students whose lives you touched. Om Shanti," he expressed.
Several members of the political fraternity also paid condolences over the demise of Vijaya Mehta.
Maharashtra minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ashish Shelar on X wrote, "Heartfelt Tribute The news of the passing of veteran theatre director Vijaya Mehta is extremely heartbreaking. Through her extraordinary directorial style, creative vision, and unwavering dedication to the art of theatre, she bestowed a new identity upon Marathi as well as Indian theatre. The imprint of her work will continue to inspire countless artists. May her soul attain eternal peace. And may the Mehta family find the strength to recover from this sorrow--this is my prayer at the feet of the Lord!"
Mehta was one of the founding members of Mumbai's Rangayan theatre group, alongside renowned playwright Vijay Tendulkar and veteran actors Arvind Deshpande and Shreeram Lagoo.
Her six-decade career included co-founding the experimental group Rangayan, staging landmark plays like Ek Shoonya Bajirao and Ajab Nyay Vartulacha, and directing acclaimed films such as Rao Saheb and Pestonjee.
Born Vijaya Jaywant on November 4, 1934, in Baroda, she trained under Ebrahim Alkazi and Adi Marzban. Her honours include the Padma Shri in 1986, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Direction in 1975, Tagore Ratna in 2012, and a National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Beyond theatre, Vijaya Mehta carved a distinct place for herself in Indian parallel cinema with memorable performances in acclaimed films such as Kalyug and Party, earning critical acclaim for her nuanced portrayals.
More details regarding her demise are awaited.
— ANI
Reader Comments
I grew up watching her plays in Mumbai. She had a way of making every character come alive on stage. Anupam Kher's tribute perfectly captures what a privilege it was to learn from her. She taught us that acting is about understanding life, not just performing. That's profound.
A true pioneer who paved the way for so many artists. Her work in parallel cinema was exceptional - I still remember her performance in Kalyug. The way she mentored actors without imposing her knowledge is something our industry really needs more of today. Rest in power, Vijaya Bai.
It's sad that mainstream media doesn't give enough coverage to legendary theatre personalities. Vijaya Mehta's contribution over six decades is staggering - Padma Shri, National Award, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award... Truly an irreplaceable loss. Om Shanti to her soul.
My mother used to tell me stories about watching her plays in the 1970s. She said Vijaya Mehta had this magical ability to transport audiences into the story. Her co-founding of Rangayan with Tendulkar and Lagoo was a golden era for Marathi theatre. We've lost a gem 💔
While I respect her enormous contributions, I wish the article had highlighted more about her work with women in theatre. She was a trailblazer for female directors at a time when it was incredibly difficult. That aspect of her legacy deserves more recognition. Still, a life well-lived. Rest in peace.
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