Veteran Indian theater director, actor and filmmaker Vijaya Mehta died on Tuesday night of age-related ailments. He is 91 years old.Affectionately known as “Bai” in theater circles, Mehta breathed his last at his residence in South Mumbai, bringing down the curtains on a remarkable career that helped shape modern Marathi theater 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 greatest theater minds India has ever produced, an amazing filmmaker, and above all, an amazing human being.”Recalling their time together on the sets of Rao Saheb and Pestonjee, Kher wrote that though he had acted in a few films before, every rehearsal with Mehta made him realize “how vast the ocean is in this craft.”She remembers him as a teacher who encouraged rather than taught. “He never imposed his knowledge. He demanded it. He never raised his voice. He raised your standards,” Kher wrote, adding that his discipline came wrapped in grace, his warmth of humility and his light of simplicity.Reflecting on his death, Kher said one of the most brutal aspects of death is that people are suddenly forced to talk about someone they loved in the past. Thanking Mehta for his generosity, love and guidance, he said he has taught countless actors that acting is not just about performing but about understanding life. He ended his tribute with a heartfelt “Om Shanti.”
A pioneer of Marathi experimental theatre
Mehta was one of the pioneering forces behind the experimental theater movement in Maharashtra. He founded the influential theater group Rangayan with the playwright Vijay Tendulkaractor Shriram Lagoo and theater practitioner Arvind Deshpande. Under his leadership, Rangayan broke away from the conventions of commercial theater and ushered in a new era of bold, socially relevant and experimental productions.Over the course of his distinguished career, Mehta directed many landmark plays, including Ek Shunya Bajirao, Barrister, Hamidabaichi Kothi, Purush, Mahasagar and Shakuntal, many of which continue to be considered classics of Marathi theatre. Beyond the stage, Mehta also made a lasting contribution to India’s parallel cinema. He directed acclaimed Hindi films such as Rao Saheb and Pestonjee, both celebrated for their nuanced storytelling and powerful performances. As an actor, he gave a memorable performance in Party, directed by Govind Nihalani.Vijaya Mehta is survived by a daughter and two sons. Details about his last rites were awaited at the time of filing this report.
