Christmas cookies are stuffed with murder, secrets and shocking revelations in The Winter Visitor
Christmas cookies are stuffed with murder, secrets and shocking revelations in The Winter Visitor
By Liam Dearden | Published: 2025-09-11 16:44:00 | Source: Coastal House Media
HBO’s “Game of Thrones” series has mesmerized everyone with its epic story and made everyone realize how deadly power can be. Clans fighting against each other, brothers fighting each other, and the hunger to claim the throne drove this extraordinary novel. But what if I told you, Indian audiences had already seen something like this more than two decades before ‘GOT’ premiered. What if I told you that the hit HBO show actually takes every page from this legendary Indian show to show how greed can be the end of an entire kingdom? Sounds silly, doesn’t it? But all of this is true, and the show I’m talking about is called “Mahabharata,” which is an Indian epic that covers the greatest war ever fought between two sides of one family. In India, The Bible has been adapted several times, but nothing beats the original 1988 drama. However, recently I saw a play called “Chakravyuh” Which deals with an important part of that whole war and gives us perspective on things like warfare, strategy, brutality and many other things. This small part of the story is enough to give you a glimpse into the Mahabharata and the effects of that particular war.
The play, written and directed by Atul Satya Kaushik, has actor Nitish Bhardwaj playing the role of Lord Krishna. Bhardwaj played the same character in the original 1988 drama, making him a household name. The play is the story of the thirteenth day of the Mahabharata war between the Pandavas and Kauravas. For starters, all the men on both sides are cousins and are fighting against each other to claim the throne of Hastinapura. Both sides feel a lot of jealousy against each other, but it is the Kauravas that mainly create all the differences. Until the 13th, the Kauravas were finding it difficult to claim superiority over the Pandavas and needed to do anything to be closer to winning the battle.
Chakravyuh – a story not only about nostalgia, but about sacrifice and destiny
Meanwhile, the Pandavas and Lord Krishna were ready to send their youngest warrior, Abhimanyu, to 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 his mother’s womb. When Abhimanyu entered the battlefield, he was superior to everyone, forcing the Kauravas to use ‘Chakravyuh’ on Abhimanyu. A great battle took place between Abhimanyu and seven soldiers of the Kauravas tribe. This is the basic story of this theatrical production, and although the Indian audience may have seen this exact moment many times, the writer and actors give the audience a thrilling experience through powerful dialogues and brilliant acting performances.
In a world where Mahabharata It has been revisited several times “Chakravyuh” Feels like a fresh breath of air. Frankly, it takes a lot of courage to tackle one of the difficult chapters in this saga and put it on stage. But Atul does a fantastic job of sharpening his emotional, philosophical and performative edges. “From the moment Bhardwaj steps on the stage, there is an aura – not an aura of theatrical pretense, but of divine calm and wisdom. He carries the charisma of Krishna not through grand gestures, but through subtle authority, piercing silences, and dialogues that sound more like facts than lines. His presence elevates the entire production, grounding it in philosophy while making the conflict seem intensely personal.”
But this play isn’t just about nostalgia. It is about the sacrifices people make, dharma, and destiny. When Lord Krishna learned of the final result, he did his best to stop the war. But you can’t fight fate, can you? Even when it was known that millions of people were going to die, war broke out, and what made it so terrifying was that two sides of one clan were fighting each other. O’Toole’s writing is steeped in philosophy, and it shows. Every conversation between Krishna and the other characters carries existential weight, about choice and duty, fear and fate. The text is not rushed. It allows ideas to breathe. While the play focuses on battle and betrayal, its soul lies in the internal struggles of its characters. Visually, this is one of the most stunning theatrical performances I’ve seen. From lighting to sound, everything served a purpose and only enhanced the viewing experience.
Bharadwaj shines as Lord Krishna. Sushmita Mehta wins
When it comes to offers in chakravyuh, This play belongs to Nitish Bharadwaj and his impeccable acting. When he was playing the role of Lord Krishna in the original TV serial, people would touch his feet and consider him Lord Krishna. Almost 30 years later, I feel the same way. When he is on stage, he surprises you with his powerful and precise acting. Meanwhile, Sahil Chharbra, who plays Abhimanyu, surprises you with his innocence and eagerness to join the war. He’s clever one moment, and extremely powerful the next. But one of the most memorable performances comes from Sushmita Mehta, who plays Abhimanyu’s wife, Uttara.
Often relegated to the margins in novels, here she becomes a quiet force. The actress brings tremendous 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 scenes in the play. Her helplessness becomes our helplessness, and we are immediately attached to her.
In general, Chakravyuh It is not a story of triumph. In fact, it is the opposite. The fear of losing a life, the outbreak of war, the immoral ways of killing a warrior, it’s about everything you don’t want to see. But, even in those situations, the story perfectly captures the essence of life. It is uncertain, sometimes cruel, and unfair. The narrative is a reflection of life’s most difficult questions. This show is a reminder that even in the stories we think we know, there is still room for wonder, heartbreak, and rediscovery.
(Tags for translation)BP Walter
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