Ananya Lohia , Mumbai - Veteran theatre director and actor Vijaya Mehta passed away at the age of 92, marking the end of an illustrious career that shaped Indian theatre and parallel cinema for decades.

A pioneering force in Marathi theatre, Mehta was a founding member of Mumbai's Rangayan theatre group alongside playwright Vijay Tendulkar and actors Arvind Deshpande and Shreeram Lagoo. She trained under renowned theatre personalities Ebrahim Alkazi and Adi Marzban, laying the foundation for a career celebrated for its artistic excellence. Mehta received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for theatre direction in 1975 and later won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Rao Saheb.

Known for directing acclaimed films such as Rao Saheb and Prestonjee, Mehta successfully bridged the worlds of theatre and cinema. In an earlier interview, she had credited her mentors for inspiring her journey and said theatre helped her understand the interconnectedness of all art forms.

Her passing marks the loss of one of India's most respected theatre visionaries, whose work and legacy continue to inspire generations of artists.