Marathi theater legend, film director Vijaya Mehta passes away at the age of 91
Acclaimed theater director, actor and producer Vijaya Mehta passed away on Tuesday night after being ill for a long time. His work in Rangayana, Marathi experimental theater and parallel cinema shaped generations of artists and directors.
Veteran theater director, actor and producer Vijaya Mehta, one of the defining voices of modern Marathi theatre, passed away on Tuesday night, June 30, after a prolonged illness. She was 91 years old. Mehta died at his residence around 10 pm, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in theatre, parallel cinema and performing arts.
Mehta, fondly known as “Bai” in the theater world, was regarded as a pioneering force in Indian theatre, guiding generations of actors and directors. Actor Vijay Kenkare, who worked with him for many years, confirmed his death, saying it was a deep personal loss.
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“She passed away around 9:30-10 pm. I came to know about her demise through her daughter. It is a personal loss. She has been my mentor,” said Kenkre, who worked as a chief assistant in a 1990s television serial. lifelinetold PTI.
Born Vijaya Jaywant in Baroda (now Vadodara), Gujarat on November 4, 1934, Mehta graduated from Mumbai University and trained under renowned theater personalities Ibrahim Alkazi and Adi Marzban. In the 1960s, he co-founded the Mumbai-based theater group Rangayan with playwright Vijay Tendulkar and actors Sriram Lagoo and Arvind Deshpande.
Among his most acclaimed productions was the adaptation of CT Khanolkar’s one zero bajiraoWhich is widely considered a milestone in contemporary Indian theatre. He also introduced Bertolt Brecht to Marathi audiences strange justice circlea conversion of Caucasian chalk circle. his presentations barrister, Shakuntal, Hamidabaichi Kothi And Mother Celebrated for his artistic vision and innovative staging. His work also spread internationally through several Indo-German theater collaborations.
While theater remained at the center of his career, Mehta also left a lasting mark on Indian parallel cinema. As an actress, she appeared in acclaimed films Kalyuga And teamHis later performance remains one of his most famous performances. As a film producer, he directed Rao Saheb (1986) and Pestonji (1988), both recognized as important works in India’s parallel cinema movement.
In a career spanning over six decades, Mehta has received many honors for his contributions to theater and cinema. She was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Direction in 1975, Padma Shri in 1986, National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress. Rao SahebBest Actress Award at Asia Pacific Film Festival teamand Sangeet Natak Akademi Tagore Ratna in 2012. He was also honored with the META Lifetime Achievement Award.