Vijaya Mehta is a noted Indian Marathi film and theatre director and also an actor in many films from the Parallel Cinema. She is a founder member of Mumbai-based theatre group, Rangayan with playwright Vijay Tendulkar, and actors Arvind Deshpande and Shriram Lagoo. She became a major figure in 60s Marathi experimental theatre. Her stage production of C. T. Khanolkar’s Ek Shoonya Bajirao is considered as a landmark in contemporary Indian theatre. She introduced Bertold Brecht into Marathi theatre with adaptation of The Caucasian Chalk Circle (Ajab Nyay Vartulacha), and Ionesco with Chairs.
She collaborated on Indo-German theatre projects with German director Fritz Bennewitz including a traditional performance of Bhasa’s Mudrarakshasa with German actors. Except Pestonjee, most of her work consists of film and television adaptations of her stage plays.
She was awarded the 1975 Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for excellence in Direction, in 1986 she won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Rao Saheb (1986).
Credits: ABP MAZA, YouTube Channel
Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uk4labzgue4&list=PL01vSgXkC43ojEEDguPSQFz2P1G2ACYUr&index=24
