DILLAGI
Original Story: Vinod by Munshi Premchand
Stage Adaptation & Director: Lav Tomar
Producer: Drama Dropouts
Genre: Comedy · Period Drama
Language: Hindi
Duration: 1 Hour 20 Minutes
ABOUT THE PLAY
Dillagi is a heartwarming stage adaptation of Munshi Premchand’s celebrated short story Vinod, reimagined as a charming period comedy set amidst the vibrant college life of the 1970s. Rich in humour, nostalgia, and timeless human emotions, the play celebrates the innocence of youth, the warmth of friendship, and the unforgettable mischief that defines student life.
At the centre of the story is Pandit Chakradhar, an earnest yet self-important young man whose quiet admiration for the graceful Lucy becomes the perfect opportunity for his mischievous classmates to orchestrate an elaborate prank. What begins with a forged love letter soon unfolds into a delightful cascade of comic misunderstandings, playful deception, and increasingly absurd situations, where every twist promises even greater laughter.
Beneath its light-hearted comedy, Dillagi gently explores themes of youthful idealism, vanity, first love, and the bonds of friendship. It captures a time when handwritten letters carried emotions, conversations unfolded face to face, and the smallest moments often became the memories we treasured for a lifetime.
Will Pandit Chakradhar uncover the truth behind the prank? Will Lucy ever realise the chaos unfolding in her name? Or will this innocent game of mischief lead everyone to an unexpected lesson?
Filled with wit, nostalgia, and timeless storytelling, Dillagi is a joyous theatrical experience that invites audiences to laugh wholeheartedly while rediscovering the carefree spirit, innocence, and enduring charm of their own college days.
Director's Note
Dillagi is our stage adaptation of Munshi Premchand’s beloved short story Vinod—a timeless tale whose emotions continue to resonate across generations. Though written decades ago, its humour, innocence, and warmth remain as relatable today as ever.
Every college has that one sincere student, a circle of mischievous friends, endless teasing, harmless pranks, and an unspoken crush that quietly becomes the centre of everyone’s amusement. These moments may seem ordinary at the time, yet they become the memories we carry with us for a lifetime.
Set against the backdrop of the 1970s, Dillagi transports us to an era when friendships were uncomplicated, laughter came effortlessly, and love was often expressed through silence rather than words. At the heart of the story is Mahashay Chakradhar—an earnest yet naïve young man whose innocence sets off a delightful chain of comic misunderstandings, playful deception, and unforgettable situations.
As a director, my intention was to create a production that feels less like watching a play and more like revisiting a cherished memory. Beneath the laughter lies a celebration of youthful innocence, genuine companionship, and the simple joys that define our formative years.
If, by the end of the performance, the audience leaves the theatre smiling, reminiscing about old friendships, forgotten crushes, and their own college days, then Dillagi will have fulfilled its purpose.
— Lav Tomar
Writer's Note
One of the greatest challenges facing contemporary Hindi theatre is the shortage of strong original plays. Yet, we are far from lacking stories. Hindi literature is filled with timeless works that continue to speak to audiences across generations.
For theatre-makers, adaptation is more than a creative exercise—it is an opportunity to bring these literary treasures from the pages of books to the stage, allowing them to reach audiences who may never encounter them otherwise.
True adaptation is not simply the act of converting prose into dialogue. It requires listening carefully to the heart of the original work, understanding its emotional truth, and reimagining it through the language of theatre. While the form may evolve, the soul of the story must remain untouched.
I also believe that, whenever possible, the original time and setting of a story should be preserved. Every era possesses its own rhythm, values, and beauty. Inviting audiences into another time creates a unique theatrical experience, reminding us that authentic human stories transcend generations.
For me, adaptation is not about changing a story. It is about honouring its essence, respecting its truth, and helping it discover a new voice on the stage.
— Lav Tomar
CAST
Pandit Chakradhar — Aman Gupta
Lucy — Siddhi Rastogi
Naeem — Vijay Kumar Singh
Girdhar — Pankaj Kumar Maurya
Tahalka — Shubha Bhatt Bhasin
Niranjan — Sparsh Patel
Lolita — Abhishek Rajoriya
Post Master — Muneesh Ratn
Master — Himanshu Gangwar
Creative Team
Director — Lav Tomar
Producer — Drama Dropouts
Stage Manager — Aman Gupta
Set Design & Construction — Aman Gupta, Abhishek Rajoriya & Muneesh Ratn
Lighting — Pankaj Kumar Maurya, Shobhit & Sparsh Patel
Sound Operation — Ayush Agarwal
Costume Design — Aman Gupta & Siddhi Rastogi
Music — Mobin Niyazi & Party
Backstage Crew
Jhalak Gangwar, Ishita, Aashi, Anshika, Shrey, Vaibhav & Kapi
Technical Requirements
LIGHTING
- Profile Spotlights (300W, 36°) — 10
- Fresnel Lights (300W) — 16
- RGB LED PAR Lights — 17
- PAR Can Lights (1KW) — 6
- Light Stands — 4
SOUND
- 4-Foot Floor Microphone — 1
- Long Microphone Stands — 2
- Small Microphone Stands — 5
- Corded Microphones — 7