Veteran Indian theatre director, actor and filmmaker Vijaya Mehta passed away on Tuesday night due to age-related ailments. She was 91.Affectionately known as “Bai” in theatre circles, Mehta breathed her last at her residence in South Mumbai, bringing the curtains down on a remarkable career that helped shape modern Marathi theatre and influenced generations of actors, directors and playwrights.Veteran actor Anupam Kher took to social media to mourn the loss of his mentor and collaborator. Sharing a heartfelt note, Kher described Mehta as “one of the finest theatre minds India has ever produced, an exceptional filmmaker, and above all, a remarkable human being.”Recalling their association on the sets of Rao Saheb and Pestonjee, Kher wrote that although he had already acted in a few films by then, every rehearsal with Mehta made him realise “how vast the ocean of this craft really is.”He remembered her as a teacher who inspired rather than instructed. “She never imposed her knowledge. She illuminated it. She never raised her voice. She raised your standards,” Kher wrote, adding that her discipline came wrapped in grace, her warmth in humility and her brilliance in simplicity.Reflecting on her passing, Kher said one of the cruelest aspects of death is that people are suddenly forced to speak about someone they love in the past tense. Thanking Mehta for her generosity, affection and guidance, he said she taught countless actors that acting is not merely about performing but about understanding life. He concluded his tribute with a heartfelt “Om Shanti.”
A pioneer of Marathi experimental theatre
Mehta was one of the pioneering forces behind Maharashtra’s experimental theatre movement. She co-founded the influential theatre group Rangayan along with playwright Vijay Tendulkar, actor Shriram Lagoo and theatre practitioner Arvind Deshpande. Under her leadership, Rangayan broke away from the conventions of commercial theatre and ushered in a new era of bold, socially relevant and experimental productions.Over the course of her illustrious career, Mehta directed several landmark plays, including Ek Shunya Bajirao, Barrister, Hamidabaichi Kothi, Purush, Mahasagar and Shakuntal, many of which continue to be regarded as classics of Marathi theatre. Beyond the stage, Mehta also made a lasting contribution to Indian parallel cinema. She directed acclaimed Hindi films such as Rao Saheb and Pestonjee, both celebrated for their nuanced storytelling and powerful performances. As an actor, she delivered a memorable performance in Party, directed by Govind Nihalani.Vijaya Mehta is survived by a daughter and two sons. Details regarding her last rites were awaited at the time of filing this report.
