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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

Curtains down on legendary actress Vijaya Mehta

She mentored actors like Nana Patekar, Anupam Kher Mumbai: The curtains fell for the last time on the Grand Dame of acting, Vijaya Mehta - one of India’s most acclaimed actresses, director, producer, writer and visionary – whose immense contributions to mainstream and parallel cinema and theatre influenced generations of actors and filmmakers. The National Award-winning actress passed away at her Mumbai residence late on Tuesday at 91. Her last rites were performed at the Shipdham...

Curtains down on legendary actress Vijaya Mehta

She mentored actors like Nana Patekar, Anupam Kher Mumbai: The curtains fell for the last time on the Grand Dame of acting, Vijaya Mehta - one of India’s most acclaimed actresses, director, producer, writer and visionary – whose immense contributions to mainstream and parallel cinema and theatre influenced generations of actors and filmmakers. The National Award-winning actress passed away at her Mumbai residence late on Tuesday at 91. Her last rites were performed at the Shipdham Crematorium in Goregaon east this afternoon in the presence of her family, a large number of film personalities and her admirers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress Leaders of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, CM Devendra Fadnavis and many other dignitaries paid rich tributes to Vijaya Mehta. Acting Institution Considered an institution in acting in her own right, Vijaya Mehta was a quiet but stern perfectionist who mentored some of the top actors like Nana Patekar, Anupam Kher, Neena Kulkarni and many others over decades. Fondly addressed as ‘Bai’ by her students and upcoming actors, Vijaya Mehta seamlessly combined intellectual rigours of a scholar and a sensitive artist, firmly believing that acting was not about applause but of truth, discipline and honesty before the audiences. Belonging to a bygone era when plays served as a vehicle to educate, provoke and transform society through stories, and over six decades, she came to be regarded as the ‘conscience keeper’ of serious theatre, long before ‘experimental theatre’ became a vogue. She constantly breathed new life into Marathi theatre in different ways that influenced new actors, directors and earned public approval. Born in Baroda State in 1934 at Vijaya Jaywant, she came to Mumbai at a young age and graduated from the University of Mumbai, with acting remaining her passion during her college days. She performed as Desdemona in a production of William Shakespeare’s 1604 classic play, “Othello” and her acting caught the eye of the renowned theatre guru, Ebrahim Alkazi, who trained and guided her. Rangayan Launched In 1960, Vijaya Mehta, along with other stalwarts like Adi Marzban, Vijay Tendulkar, Dr Shriram Lagoo and Arvind Deshpande, founded a theatre group, Rangayan. Meanwhile, in the mid-1950s she married Harin Khote, the son of the veteran actress Durga Khote, but after his sudden passing in 1964, she married theatre personality Farrokh Mehta a few years later. Jostling for space with the prosperous commercial theatre, over the years, it went onto produce many pioneering and influential plays earning itself a formidable reputation in ‘parallel theatre’ with bold themes, grandiose productions and exemplary performances that catapulted Marathi theatre to national repute. Several of her productions and directions became legendary – Ek Shunya Bajirao, Ajab Nyay Vartulacha, Hayavadana, Mudrarakshasa, Shakuntal, and Hamidabaichi Kothi, Mahasagar, Chairs – besides adaptation of several international classics, and each bearing her signature of meticulous preparations, sensitive performances and artistic excellence from all. Theatre to Cinema The full-house responses to her productions drew the attention of cinema and she ventured both in front of and behind the camera, in various capacities. Vijaya Mehta’s films ‘Rao Saheb’ (1986) for which she won the National Award for Supporting Actress that year, and ‘Pestonjee’ (1988) rank among the landmarks of parallel cinema for their subtle story-telling along with deep characterisation. As an actor, she gave some memorable performances in the much-applauded Govind Nihalani’s film ‘Kalyug’ (1981), “Mohan Joshi Hazir Ho!”, “Akriet”, “The Mist”, and a Mahesh Eklunchwar’s famed play “Wada Chirebandi” (1985), which she made into a television film, “Haveli Buland Thi” (1987). She also acted in the film “Party” (1984), also penned by Mahesh Eklunchwar. Over the years, she was decorated with many honours and awards, including the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship, Kalidas Samman, Maharashtra’s highest cultural honours and numerous lifetime achievement awards. Vijaya Mehta: A taskmaster Film industry circles credit Vijaya Mehta not only for her own achievements, but also shaping generations of actors and film-makers to make them masters in the trade. Some of those whose skills she honed include: Nana Patekar, Anupam Kher, Neena Kulkarni, Mohan Agashe, Bharti Achrekar, Sonali Kulkarni, and in his early years, even Akshay Kumar benefited from her guidance and even from her autobiography, “Zimma: A Memoir” (2012). As news of her passing spread today, her disciples, Bollywood and Marathi film industry actors and legions of fans poured their emotions for Vijaya Mehta today on social media.

Imran Khan’s Fall from Grace

Updated: Oct 21, 2024

Imran Khan’s Fall from Grace

Imran Khan, once hailed as Pakistan’s most charismatic and resilient leader now finds himself in a position unprecedented for a man of his stature.

The former Prime Minister of Pakistan, once known for his unyielding spirit and fierce determination, now shows signs of strain. Imprisoned and facing numerous charges, Khan appears to be a shadow of the leader who once inspired millions.

Khan’s recent meeting with journalists revealed a man who is a shell of his former self. Once confident and commanding, his body now shows a sense of unease and agitation. Those who met him describe a waning spirit, a stark change for a leader once known for his steadfastness in adversity.

The journalists described Khan as a man who is aware that his political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), is losing its once-iron grip on the nation’s imagination―a realisation that visibly shook him.

The PTI, once a magnet for massive crowds and inspired loyalty among its supporters, is now struggling. The much-hyped rally scheduled for August 22 in Islamabad, was embarrassingly cancelled due to a lack of public interest. Khan, in a bid to save face, claimed that the rally was called off to avoid potential violence. In a sign of growing desperation, Khan rescheduled the rally for September 8 and directed his party leaders to overcome any obstacles. This defiant stance is typical of Khan’s confrontational style, and his public directives highlight his insecurity about his party’s ability to mobilise support.

While Khan outwardly appears calm and composed, the multiple cases against him and his time in jail have left him isolated and struggling with loneliness. Even in this difficult situation, he remains in the headlines, thanks to his uncanny ability to stay in the public’s eye. Khan recently made headlines by applying for the University of Oxford Chancellorship, a move initially dismissed as a rumor but confirmed by his spokesman, Sayed Zulfikar Bukhari. As an Oxford alumnus, Khan would be the first Asian to take the role. Many see this bid as a strategic play to leverage his international profile against Pakistan’s establishment, a move that has kept him prominently in the media spotlight.

The political landscape in Pakistan is deeply divided. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, in his second term, has failed to address critical issues including unemployment, soaring inflation, and deteriorating law and order. His administration’s inability to deliver on its promises has only deepened the public’s disillusionment, leading to growing nostalgia for Khan’s past leadership.

Shahbaz Sharif’s government is a source of frustration for the Pakistani people and a cause for concern for the country’s military. Historically, the military has shaped Pakistan’s political trajectory, stepping in when civilian governments falter. The military reportedly is growing uneasy about the government’s performance especially Sharif’s inability to stabilize the country and mend relationships with key neighbors, particularly India. Additionally, its deteriorating ties with Afghanistan and Iran have left Pakistan increasingly isolated. Even China, Pakistan’s longstanding ally, has expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s policies, a worrying sign given the importance of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to the country’s economic future.

It is within this context of political turmoil and international isolation that Imran Khan remains a potent force. Despite his legal troubles and the challenges facing his party, Khan’s popularity endures. For millions of Pakistanis, his tenure as Prime Minister is seen as a time of relative stability and hope, a stark contrast to the current administration’s ineptitude. This perception has kept Khan’s political base intact, even as his party faces an uphill battle in the coming months.

However, Khan’s ability to navigate the current political landscape is far from guaranteed. The PTI’s diminishing support, coupled with the increasing pressure from the establishment, raises questions about Khan’s long-term strategy. His recent moves, including the application for the Oxford Chancellorship, suggest a leader willing to explore unconventional avenues to maintain his relevance. But whether these tactics will translate into a successful political comeback remains to be seen.

Pakistan’s political future is more uncertain than ever. Imran Khan’s journey from cricketing legend to political maverick has been extraordinary. Still, as he faces the toughest challenge of his career, the question remains: Can he once again defy the odds and reclaim his place at the helm of Pakistani politics, or is this the beginning of the end for a once unstoppable leader?

Khan’s story is a testament to the complexities of power and the unpredictable nature of political life in Pakistan. His rise, driven by charisma, populism, and a genuine desire for change, now faces the realities of personal and political challenges, raising the possibility that his time may be running out.

Imran Khan is a beacon of hope for his supporters, and a polarizing figure for detractors, whose ambitions have often clouded his judgment. As the nation watches, the world is left to wonder: What will Imran Khan’s next move be? And more importantly, what does it mean for the future of Pakistan? The coming months will be critical not only for Imran Khan but for Pakistan as a whole. The decisions made during this period will shape the country’s trajectory for years. Whether Khan emerges victorious or is consigned to the annals of history as a fallen leader, one thing is certain: The story of Imran Khan is far from over.

(The writer is a senior jounalist based in Islamabad. Views personal)

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