Vijay Mohan Crishna: A Life of Stage, Screen, and Corporate Success
Vijay Mohan Crishna, a multifaceted personality who seamlessly blended a distinguished acting career with corporate leadership, passed away on March 4 at the age of 80. The cause of death has not been disclosed. Crishna, who hailed from Shimla, was known for his quiet yet impactful presence in Indian theatre and cinema, most notably as Shah Rukh Khan's father in Devdas and in Mahesh Dattani's Dance Like a Man.
From Shimla's Hills to Mumbai's Stages
Crishna's journey began in the hills of Shimla, where he walked kilometres to school, a testament to his early resilience. His acting life ignited on a Delhi stage in the 1960s, where he discovered theatre and, by chance, met fellow theatregoer Amitabh Bachchan. By 1971, he had moved to Mumbai, immersing himself in its vibrant theatre scene. He took on diverse roles, including a tender gangster in Pearl Padamsee's Orphans and the title role in Alyque Padamsee's tantric-inflected Macbeth, while also directing Shaw's Saint Joan.
A Defining Role and Memorable Screen Moments
His greatest theatrical association was with Mahesh Dattani's Dance Like a Man, where he played Jairaj, a Bharatanatyam dancer past his prime. Crishna performed this role on stage for over 25 years and reprised it in Ritesh Menon's 2014 film adaptation. In cinema, his tryst began with Richard Attenborough's Gandhi in 1982, but it was Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Devdas in 2002 that cemented his legacy as the stern, heartbreaking patriarch Narayan. He later appeared in films like Guzaarish and PK.
Corporate Leadership and Adventurous Spirit
Beyond acting, Crishna led a parallel life as a corporate executive. After management experience in Kolkata and advertising in Mumbai, he joined Lawkim Ltd in 1977, helping turn around the bankrupt company after its takeover by the Godrej Group. He served the Godrej Enterprises Group for 45 years, stepping down from the board in 2021 due to advancing age. An avid adventurer, he climbed a 20,000-ft peak in Ladakh in his seventies and trekked through Antarctica and South America, finding relaxation in daily drives to his workplace in Vikhroli.
Tributes and Legacy
Actor Anupam Kher expressed grief over his passing, while co-actor Lillete Dubey wrote on Instagram: "RIP my Jairaj... you will never be forgotten." Crishna is survived by his wife Smita Crishna-Godrej and daughters Nyrika Holkar and Freyan Crishna Bieri. His life exemplified a rare balance of artistic passion, corporate acumen, and adventurous zeal, leaving an indelible mark on Indian culture and industry.
