Shabana Azmi reveals how Vijaya Mehta turned forgotten punchlines into unforgettable moments: ‘I definitely messed up the punchline’
As the Indian film and theater community continues to mourn the loss of legendary actor-director Vijaya Mehta, Shabana Azmi has shared a heartfelt memory of her mentor and collaborator. Given their connection, Azmi celebrated Mehta not only for her immense artistic heritage but also for the warmth, humor and humility that made her an unforgettable presence on and off the set.While the veteran actress praised Mehta’s exceptional artistic heritage, she fondly recalled the director’s inability to crack jokes.
The forgotten joke that became her trademark
Talking about her experience working with Vijaya Mehta, the Pestonjee actress said, “Despite her towering talent as an actress, she was a bad joke teller. She inevitably ruined the punchline.” She also recalled how Mehta’s son, Devin, often reacted in disbelief when she missed a joke.‘Her son Devin was wringing his hands in despair, but she continued to move forward bravely, until she confessed, ‘Ari, mi main line Visron jelly!’ This was her way of making her terrified actors relax, Azmi recalls.
Pioneer of Hadith Indian theatre
Long before making her mark in cinema with Shyam Benegal’s ‘Kalyug’, Vijaya Mehta had already established herself as one of the leading voices in Marathi experimental theatre. During the 1960s, she co-founded the influential theater group Rangayan along with Vijay Tendulkar, Shriram Lagoo and Arvind Deshpande, which helped redefine contemporary Indian theatre.
Her contribution to cinema was equally important. As an actress, she has given memorable performances in films like Govind Nihalani’s ‘Party’, while her directorial venture ‘Rao Saheb’ has been widely critically acclaimed.
Shabana Azmi finally got her wish
Shabana Azmi, a long-time fan of Vijaya Mehta’s work, revealed that she had repeatedly asked the director to cast her in one of her productions. This wish was finally fulfilled with the film Pestonjee, where Azmi played the unforgettable role of Jeru.“I pestered her to include me in her plays or films. Finally she succumbed to the pressure and gave me Jiro in Pestonjee, a role unlike any other I have done,” Azmi said.
Famous Vijaya Mehta Achievements
Vijaya Mehta’s remarkable career has been recognized with many prestigious accolades. She received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1975, in recognition of her immense contribution to Indian theatre.Her acclaimed directorial venture ‘Rao Sahib’ won her the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1986, while her performance in Govind Nihalani’s film ‘Party’ won her the Best Actress award at the Asia Pacific Film Festival, cementing her legacy as one of India’s finest creative talents.
