HBO series ‘Game of Thrones’ wowed everyone with its epic storytelling and made everyone realize how power can be so lethal. Clans fighting against each other, brothers fighting each other, and the hunger to claim the throne drove this extraordinary narrative. But what if I tell you, Indian audiences already saw something like that more than two decades before ‘GOT’ even made its premiere. What if I tell you, the hit HBO program actually takes every leaf out of this particular Indian mythological show to showcase how greed can be the end of an entire kingdom? Sounds ridiculous, right? However, it’s all true, and the program I’m talking about is called “Mahabharata,” an Indian epic that covers the greatest war ever fought between two sides of one family. In India, the scripture has been adapted a number of times, but nothing beats the original 1988 drama. However, recently I saw a play named “Chakravyuh,” which tackles one important part of that entire war and gives us a perspective about things like war, strategy, brutality, and many more things. This little chunk of the story is enough to give you a glimpse of the Mahabharata and the effects of that particular war.
The play, written and directed by Atul Satya Koushik, sees actor Nitish Bhardwaj playing Lord Krishna. Bhardwaj played the same character in the original 1988 drama, which made him a household name. The play is the story of the thirteenth day of the Mahabharata war between Pandavas and Kauravas. For the uninitiated, all the men on both sides are cousins and fighting against each other to claim the throne of Hastinapura. Both sides have a lot of jealousy against each other, but it was mainly the Kauravas who created all the rifts. Till the thirteenth day, the Kauravas were finding it difficult to claim an edge over the Pandavas and needed to do anything to be closer to winning the battle.
Chakravyuh – A story not just about Nostalgia, but sacrifice and destiny
Meanwhile, the Pandavas and Lord Krishna were ready to send their youngest warrior, Abhimanyu, on the battlefield. Now, they knew that the Kauravas would use “Chakravyuh” to kill someone, and Abhimanyu was the only one who knew about this technique, even when he was in the womb of his mother. When Abhimanyu entered the battlefield, he was outclassing everyone, forcing the Kauravas to use “Chakravyuh” on Abhimanyu. A great battle took place between Abhimanyu and seven soldiers of the Kauravas. This is the primary storyline of this theatre production, and even though Indian audiences might have seen this particular moment many times, the writer and actors give a riveting experience to the audiences through hard-hitting dialogues and great acting performances.
In a world where Mahabharata has been revisited numerous times, “Chakravyuh” feels like a fresh breath of air. Honestly, it takes a lot of courage to tackle one of the difficult chapters of this epic and put that on stage. But Atul does a phenomenal job by sharpening its emotional, philosophical, and performative edges. From the moment Bhardwaj steps onto the stage, there’s an aura — not one of theatrical pretense, but of divine calm and wisdom. He carries the gravitas of Krishna not through grand gestures, but with subtle authority, piercing silences, and dialogues that feel like truths more than lines. His presence elevates the entire production, grounding it in philosophy while making the conflict feel intensely personal.
But this play is not just about nostalgia. It’s about the sacrifices people make, dharma, and destiny. As Lord Krishna knew about the end result, he tried everything to stop the war. But you can’t fight destiny, right? Even when it was known that millions of people would die, the war took place, and what made it so horrifying was that two sides of one clan were fighting each other. Atul’s writing is steeped in philosophy, and it shows. Every conversation between Krishna and other characters is layered with existential weight, about choice, duty, fear, and destiny. The script doesn’t rush; it allows ideas to breathe. While the play centers on battle and betrayal, its soul lies in the internal struggles of its characters. Visually, this is one of the most stunning theatre productions I have seen. From lighting to sound, everything served a purpose and only enhanced the viewing experience.
Bharadwaj shines as Lord Krishna; Sushmita Mehta triumphs
When it comes to performances in Chakravyuh, this play belongs to Nitish Bharadwaj and his impeccable acting. When he used to play Lord Krishna in the original TV series, people used to touch his feet and consider him Lord Krishna. Almost 30 years later, it feels the same. Whenever he is on the stage, he takes you by storm with his subtle yet powerful acting. Meanwhile, Sahil Chharbra, who played Abhimanyu, floors you with his innocence and eagerness to join the war. He is witty at one moment, and absolutely powerful in the next. But one of the most memorable performances comes from Sushmita Mehta, who plays Abhimanyu’s wife, Uttara.
Often relegated to the sidelines in retellings, here she becomes a quiet force. The actress brings immense emotional depth, making us feel the weight of her loss even before it happens. Her scenes, especially her monologue reflecting on love, war, and fate, are among the most powerful in the play. Her helplessness becomes our helplessness, and we are instantly connected to her.
All in all, Chakravyuh is not a story of triumph; it is actually about the opposite. The fear of losing a life, the war breaking loose, and the unethical ways to kill a warrior, it is about everything that you don’t want to see. But, even in those situations, the story perfectly captures what life is all about. It is uncertain, cruel at times, and not fair. The narrative is a reflection of life’s hardest questions. This staging is a reminder that even in stories we think we know, there is still room for wonder, heartbreak, and rediscovery.
