The Hindi play ‘Vladimir Ka Hero’ marked the last day of a Bhopal National theatre festival on Friday at Ravindra Bhavan.

Manoj Nair, one of the renowned city playwrights is known for his unusual experiments in theatre world. He adapted the play from a short story by Leo Tolstoy ‘Good Sees the Truth but Waits’ and connected with a real life story of a theatre artist. First published in year 1872, this short story by Leo Tolstoy carries its contemporary essence even today.

Considered as one of the classic murder mysteries, it was brilliantly performed with an Indian swag by the artists of Shadow Group, Bhopal.

With the contemporary and symbolic stage design and wondrous light design the play was much enjoyed by the audience. The play comes with a twist for the audience.

The play shares a story of an old theatre artist Dayal. Dayal is 70 years old who is put in jail for a crime he never committed. Interacting with his inmates, Dayal shares his story and tells them about Ivon, whose story is similar to his.

Ivon was a merchant who lived in Valdimir. One day he decides to go in a business fair. On his way, he meets another merchant and had a good time with him at the rest house. As Ivon leaves for his home he is stopped by guards on his way. He was told that a merchant has been murdered and robbed. When the guards check Ivon’s possessions they find a blooded knife and arrests him.

For long 26 years Ivon was in jail for the crime he never committed.

The play then narrates the life journey of Dayal and eventually like Ivon it was revealed that he was not a criminal. But it was too late, for Ivon as well as for Dayal, as the characters dies.

The entire play was mesmerizingly portrayed on stage leaving the audience spell-bind.