Miguel Transfiguraçaõ de Cristo "Michael" Rodrigues (born 6 August 1947), known professionally as Mike Mehta, is an Indian former advocate, criminal lawyer, actor, playwright, and theatre director known for his work in Hindi, Konkani films, television, and tiatr productions.
He provided legal counsel to two Goan politicians, Francisco Monte Cruz and Churchill Alemao, who served as ministers and represented the Benaulim Assembly constituency in the state of Goa.
[2] His proficiency in English and his strong, powerful voice propelled him towards a career as a professional compere, showcasing his talents in hosting events and engaging audiences.
In his quest for artistic satisfaction, he immersed himself in the local tiatr scene, regularly attending performances and closely observing the skills and techniques employed by accomplished tiatrists.
During his educational journey from school to college, Rodrigues actively engaged in a variety of English concerts, occasionally expanding his repertoire to include performances in Hindi as well.
[2] Rodrigues was a playwright and performer whose socio-political plays, such as Grant Road, Goenkaranchem Rogot (Goans' Blood), and Goem Viklem Ghanttar, hold a significant place in Konkani theatrical history.
This contemplation became a driving force behind Rodrigues's decision to explore complex and challenging subjects in his Konkani tiatrs, believing that dedication and sincerity could lead to comparable achievements.
Throughout his career, Rodrigues collaborated with popular Konkani directors in the tiatr stage, including M. Boyer, C. Alvares, Jacinto Vaz, Remmie Colaço, Kamat de Assolna, Premanand Sangodkar, Anil Kumar, Fr.
Examples of his theatrical works include Politik (which delves into the depiction of the Indian Emergency), O Papagaiyo, Canta E Beira (exploring the concept of Goan identity), Goenkaranchem Rogot (advocating for the official recognition of the Konkani language and its placement within the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India.
Rodrigues has also been featured in Bollywood, such as in the film Doli Saja Ke Rakhna, alongside Akshaye Khanna, under co-producer Rajkumar Santoshi.
During his formative years, a propitious opportunity presented itself when Rodrigues crossed paths with John Claro, a seasoned and educated playwright in the tiatr field.
[3] Author Wilson Mazarello writes, "tiatr performances featuring Rodrigues showcased his meticulous approach, characterized by thorough role study and a commitment to delivering memorable portrayals.
Popular among Rodrigues's repertoire were acclaimed tiatrs such as O Papagaiyo, Canta E Beira, Hello Daddy, Pavl Mhojem Chuklem, Grant Road, and Dolle Dampchea Adim (Before you close your eyes), all of which garnered audience appreciation.
In addition to his accomplishments as an actor and playwright, Rodrigues took on character roles for Konkani directors such as M. Boyer, Remmie Colaço, Aristides Dias, and John Claro.
[3] Despite his significant contributions to the Konkani theatre scene, he did not receive any formal recognition or awards for his work, leading to speculation about his standing within the tiatr fraternity.
[2] On 27 June 2018, an incident occurred involving Rodrigues and his wife, Elsie, who were subjected to an assault by an individual residing in the Fatorda-Margao locality named Madel.