Mumbai, Jul 1: Celebrated theatre director, actor and filmmaker Vijaya Mehta, one of the pioneers of experimental Marathi theatre, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 91 following a prolonged illness. Her death marks the end of an extraordinary era in Indian theatre and cinema.
A founding member of Mumbai-based theatre group Rangayan, Vijaya Mehta played a defining role in reshaping Marathi theatre during the 1960s alongside stalwarts such as Vijay Tendulkar, Shriram Lagoo, and Arvind Deshpande. She also mentored a generation of actors, including Nana Patekar, through her innovative approach to theatre.
Trained under legendary theatre director Ebrahim Alkazi, Mehta directed several acclaimed Marathi plays, including Ek Shoonya Bajirao and Ajab Nyay Vartulacha. She later adapted many of her stage productions into films and television projects, such as Smriti Chitre (1982), Shakuntalam (1986), Haveli Bulund Thi (1987), Hamidabai Ki Kothi (1988), and the television series Lifeline (1991).
An accomplished actor as well, Vijaya Mehta won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Damayanti Rane in Party, directed by Govind Nihalani. She made her film debut in Kalyug, directed by Shyam Benegal and produced by Shashi Kapoor. Her final screen appearance came in Quest, directed by Amol Palekar.
As a filmmaker, Mehta directed the critically acclaimed Hindi films Rao Saheb and Pestonjee, both starring Anupam Kher. Pestonjee, which also featured Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi, and Kirron Kher, earned widespread acclaim for its sensitive portrayal of Mumbai's Parsi community.
Following her demise, tributes poured in from across the film and theatre fraternity. Anupam Kher described her as "one of the finest theatre minds India has ever produced" and recalled how working with her made him "a student again," praising her wisdom, humility and extraordinary understanding of human behaviour.
Actor Shabana Azmi remembered Mehta as a visionary who transformed Indian theatre through fearless creativity and whose influence would continue to inspire generations of artists. Veteran actor Bharati Achrekar also paid an emotional tribute, describing her as a mentor who taught invaluable lessons about honesty, discipline and the art of performance.
Beyond her artistic achievements, Vijaya Mehta held several prestigious positions, serving as Chairperson of the National School of Drama (NSD), Chairperson of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), and Executive Director of the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA).
Her remarkable contribution to Indian theatre, cinema and arts education leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire actors, directors and storytellers for generations to come.
