Mumbai

Veteran actors Anupam Kher and Shabana Azmi paid heartfelt tributes to celebrated theatre director and actor Vijaya Mehta on Wednesday, remembering her as one of India's greatest creative minds whose work left an enduring imprint on theatre, cinema and generations of performers.

Mehta, fondly addressed as "Bai" by colleagues and admirers, passed away at her South Mumbai residence on Tuesday night following age-related health complications. She was 92.

Kher, who collaborated with Mehta in her acclaimed films Rao Saheb (1986) and Pestonjee (1988), described her as an extraordinary artist whose influence extended far beyond filmmaking.

Expressing his grief in an Instagram post, Kher called her an iconic figure and one of the finest theatre personalities India had produced. He also remembered her as a remarkable human being whose artistic excellence was matched by her warmth and humility.

Reflecting on his association with Mehta, Kher said working under her direction fundamentally changed his understanding of acting. Although he had already appeared in several films before meeting her, every rehearsal with her revealed new dimensions of the craft and made him realise how much more there was to learn.

He recalled that despite possessing immense knowledge of theatre and a deep understanding of human nature, Mehta never imposed her ideas on actors. Instead, she guided them with grace, simplicity and quiet confidence.

Kher also reflected on the emotional impact of her passing, saying that death forces people to speak about those they love in the past tense long before the heart is ready to accept the loss.

Actor Shabana Azmi also remembered Mehta as a pioneering force who transformed Indian theatre through her fearless artistic vision and relentless pursuit of creative excellence.

In her tribute shared on Instagram, Azmi said Vijaya Mehta was among those rare artists who did not merely contribute to an art form but fundamentally redefined it. She praised the veteran director's curiosity, courage and commitment to meaningful storytelling, saying her work inspired countless actors, directors and theatre practitioners over the decades.

According to Azmi, Mehta's legacy extended beyond the stage because her productions reflected compassion, truth and a profound understanding of the human experience.

Vijaya Mehta was one of the founding members of the influential theatre collective Rangayan, established alongside noted playwright Vijay Tendulkar, actor Dr. Shriram Lagoo and theatre practitioner Arvind Deshpande.

Over the course of her illustrious career, she directed several landmark plays, including Ek Shunya Bajirao, Barrister, Hamidabaichi Kothi, Purush, Mahasagar and Shakuntal. She also earned widespread critical acclaim for her films Rao Saheb and Pestonjee, both regarded as significant works in Indian parallel cinema.

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She is survived by her daughter and two sons.