Veteran actor Vijay Crishna, known for playing Shah Rukh Khan’s father in Devdas, has passed away at the age of 81. While the news of his demise was confirmed by actress Lillete Dubey, who shared an emotional note on social media but the cause of death has not been disclosed by the family yet.
Remembering him as a key part of her theatre journey, 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… he was much loved & cherished by us all.”
Actor Anupam Kher reacted simply, writing, “That is so so sad. Om shanti!”
While many Hindi cinema fans remember him for Devdas, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, theatre was where Vijay truly made his mark. He was closely linked with the play Dance Like a Man for more than 25 years and his work on stage earned him deep respect in theatre circles.
Apart from Devdas, he appeared in films like Gandhi, PK and Guzaarish. His performances were known for subtlety and control rather than noise.
Vijay Crishna is survived by his wife, Smita Crishna-Godrej, and their daughters Nyrika and Freyan. Smita belongs to the well-known Godrej business family and has been associated with its ventures for years.
The family has not yet released a detailed statement about his passing.
Vijay Crishna leaves behind decades of work in theatre and cinema. For many, he will remain the dignified father figure from Devdas. For others, he will always be a steady presence on stage. His absence will be felt across the artistic community.
