Theatre and Film Veteran Vijay Crishna Passes Away, Tributes Pour In

Theatre and film actor Vijay Crishna has passed away, leaving the Indian performing arts community in deep mourning. Actress Lillete Dubey shared the news on Instagram, expressing her heartbreak over the loss of a cherished colleague and friend. In her post, she wrote, “Heartbroken… our dearest Vijay Crishna… part of our theatre family & 'Dance Like a Man' for over 25 years… has passed away… a man of many parts… a brilliant actor, handsome, charming, bright with his dry tongue-in-cheek trademark humour, he was much loved & cherished by us all… RIP my Jairaj… you will never be forgotten.”

Lillete Dubey also extended condolences to his family, writing, “May you entertain the angels as you did us all here… love & prayers for his lovely wife Smita, girls Nyrika & Freyan & the whole family.” Fellow actors and industry members expressed their grief as well. Anupam Kher tweeted, “That is so, so sad. Om shanti!” while Soni Razdan commented, “Oh God no. This is so terribly sad. Known him since I was all of 15. Gutted.” The cause of death has not yet been disclosed.

Vijay Crishna was widely respected for his work both on stage and in cinema. He earned acclaim for his performance in the 2004 English-language film Dance Like a Man, an adaptation of Mahesh Dattani's celebrated stage play. Over his decades-long career, he became known for deeply nuanced performances and a dry, witty humor that endeared him to colleagues and audiences alike. Many also remember him for portraying the father of Shah Rukh Khan’s character in the iconic Bollywood film Devdas.

Vijay Crishna is survived by his wife, Smita Crishna, a prominent businesswoman, and their daughter Nyrika Holkar. Tributes have highlighted not only his professional talent but also the warmth, charm, and generosity he brought to his theatre and film family over the years.

As fans and peers continue to remember his legacy, Vijay Crishna’s contributions to theatre and cinema remain a lasting inspiration for generations of performers.