Mumbai, Jul 1: Veteran actors Anupam Kher and Shabana Azmi on Wednesday remembered veteran theatre director and actor Vijaya Mehta as a visionary who transformed Indian theatre and inspired generations of actors, directors and storytellers.
Mehta, affectionately known as “Bai”, passed away on Tuesday night at her South Mumbai residence due to age-related ailments. She was 92.
Kher, who worked with the veteran filmmaker in her acclaimed films “Rao Saheb” (1986) and “Pestonjee” (1988), described Mehta as “one of the finest theatre minds India has ever produced”.
“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,” he wrote on Instagram.
The actor said working with Mehta was a transformative experience.
“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.
Despite her wisdom and understanding of human behaviour, Kher said Mehta never imposed her knowledge.
“Her discipline came wrapped in grace, her warmth in humility, and her brilliance in simplicity.
“The cruellest 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.
Azmi said Mehta redefined Indian theatre through her fearless creativity and artistic vision.
“When you talk of artists that don’t just perform, they redefine an art form. #Vijaya Mehta is the first name that comes to mind. A visionary who transformed Indian theatre with curiosity and fearless creativity, she inspired generations of actors, directors, and theatre lovers.
“Her work wasn’t merely about the stage; it was about truth, humanity, and the limitless power of storytelling,” Azmi wrote on Instagram.
Mehta co-founded the influential theatre group Rangayan along with playwright Vijay Tendulkar, actor Dr Shriram Lagoo and theatre practitioner Arvind Deshpande.
She directed celebrated plays such as “Ek Shunya Bajirao”, “Barrister”, “Hamidabaichi Kothi”, “Purush”, “Mahasagar” and “Shakuntal”, besides helming the critically acclaimed films “Rao Saheb” and “Pestonjee”.
She is survived by a daughter and two sons. (PTI)
