Acting coach Roshan Taneja, who mentored actors like Jaya Bachchan, Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi and Anil Kapoor, passed away aged 87 in Mumbai on Friday. He is survived by his wife and two sons.

Regarded as the founder of method acting in India, Taneja studied under Sanford Meisner at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York. Through the '60s, he trained students at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune before founding his own acting school, The Roshan Taneja School of Acting, in Mumbai in 1976. Aamir Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Abhishek kapoor, Emraan Hashmi, Karisma Kapoor and Juhi Chawla are among the alumni of the institute.

“Late last night came the sad news that Roshan Taneja passed away. He was my guru at FTII and the only person whose feet I touched. I was privileged to be trained in acting by him. My deepest condolences to Didi and the family. RIP Taneja Sir,” Shabana Azmi tweeted.

“I will forever be grateful & indebted to Roshan Taneja for his teachings & guidance. I was extremely fortunate to have trained under him. My prayers & condolences to the family,” Anil Kapoor wrote.