MELBOURNE: Khelaiya Productions Global Story Project play, “No One Killed Mrs Wadia”, ignited eerie mystery and intrigue as a murder reflected in light and shadow engulfed the stage leaving the audience baffled. This was expected from a Agatha Christie’s 1925 short-story ‘Traitor’s Hands’, later adapted in a 1953 British play ‘Witness for the Prosecution’ and as a 1957 movie with the same name. Agatha Christie’s courtroom drama on stage in Hindi is in itself a welcome and successful effort.
This Hindi theatre adaptation ‘No One Killed Mrs Wadia’ directed by Amey Sane, staged at the Knox Community Art Centre, Knox, 13 April 2025, had the select audience of theatre lovers in its pocket, as the suspense weaved into the court scenes towards a sensational climax. It is a tribute to modern English jurisprudence which took off in the 18th century. The adaption in Hindi for the stage was easy to understand, unless one was completely ignorant of anglo-saxon jurisprudence.
The courtroom decor with photographs of Gandhi and Dr. Ambedkar on the wall give a feeling of law courts, as seen in many Indian movies. The play is set in Mumbai (Bombay) and the Hindi dialogues truly reflected Agatha Christie’s style creating suspense through court proceedings, the local artists fared well as characters imported from a British setting. Many in the audience were aware of the story-line having read the novel or seen the movie. The show was sold-out. I being quite close to the stage action (middle of the second row) made my live suspense experience exciting.
A married man is accused of murdering a wealthy widow. His wife, testifies against him, saying he confessed to her. Her affair is revealed, but confesses she fabricated it to save her husband. What happens next is stunning, leaving the audience in a blind. In fact, this old-fashioned British murder tale, kept the Indian Diaspora crowd glued to their seats.
The Indian snacks (Pav Vada & Chai) during the interval added to the Mumbai flavor. It was, no doubt, an incredible theatrical experience. A mesmerizing real-life break from the routine oft repeated streaming presentations.
Cast & Creatives – Abhijit, Tanmai, Sachin, Shayeri, Rishi, Sheetal, Jigar, Harsiddhi, Supriya, Rachna, Arundathi, Amey Sane (Director).
Well done, Khelaiya Productions and the ‘No One Killed Mrs Wadia’ team.
