04 March,2026 03:31 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Vijay Crishna
Actor Vijay Crishna, popularly remembered for playing Shah Rukh Khan's father in Devdas (2002), has passed away at the age of 81. A well-known name in theatre and films, Crishna received tributes from several members of the artistic community. He is survived by his wife, Smita Crishna, a prominent businesswoman, and their daughter, Nyrika Holkar. The cause of death has not yet been disclosed.
Actress Lillete Dubey took to Instagram to remember Vijay Crishna, sharing a picture from one of their plays. Posting the photo, Dubey wrote, "Heartbroken⦠our dearest Vijay Crishna⦠part of our theatre family and âDance 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 and cherished by us all. So many memories flood the heart and mind and overwhelm me. RIP my Jairaj⦠you will never be forgotten. May you entertain the angels as you did us all here. Love and prayers for his lovely wife Smita, girls Nyrika and Freyan, and the whole family."
He is most well-known for his performance as Shah Rukh Khan's father in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's noted film Devdas.
Beyond his acting career, Crishna was also a noted environmentalist and a former executive director within the Godrej family-run businesses. A prominent figure in Indian theatre for over 25 years, he earned widespread acclaim for his performance in the 2004 English-language film Dance Like a Man, adapted from Mahesh Dattani's celebrated play. The film, which also starred Shobana, Arif Zakaria, and Anoushka Shankar, went on to win a National Film Award.
In Hindi cinema, he is best remembered for portraying the father of Shah Rukh Khan's character in Devdas, sharing screen space with Aishwarya Rai and Madhuri Dixit.
Outside of films, Crishna played a significant role in the corporate world. He joined the board of Godrej Industries as a non-executive, non-independent director in 1995 and stepped down in 2021 due to age considerations. He was widely admired for his dedication to environmental causes and his patronage of the arts.
His wife, Smita Crishna, is a well-known trader with an estimated net worth of $2.5 billion. In late 2024, she and Jamshyd Godrej were ranked 22nd on the Forbes list of India's wealthiest individuals.
The family is yet to issue an official statement regarding his passing.
