The Chess Players
– It is the year 1856. Nawab Wajid Ali Shah is the king of Awadh, one of the last independent kingdoms..
It is the year 1856. Nawab Wajid Ali Shah is the king of Awadh, one of the last independent kingdoms of India. The British colonialists, intent on controlling this rich land, have sent general Outram on a secret mission to clear the way for an annexation. Pressure is mounting amidst intrigue and political manoeuvres, but the Nawab whiles away his time in pursuit of pleasure and religious practice. The court is of no help either—Court nobles Mir and Mirza, ignoring the situation of their country and all their duties towards their families, spend their days playing endless games of chess. The film is based on Munshi Premchand's short story of the same name.
03 Oct 1977
Hindi, Urdu, English
Satyajit Ray
Munshi Premchand (story), Satyajit Ray (dialogue), Shama Zaidi (dialogue), Javed Siddiqui (dialogue), Satyajit Ray (screenplay)
Sanjeev Kumar, Saeed Jaffrey, Shabana Azmi, Farida Jalal
Wazed Ali Shah was the ruler of one of the last independent kingdoms of India. The British, intent on controlling this rich country, had sent general Outram on a secret mission to clear the way for an annexation. While pressure was mounting amidst intrigue and political manoeuvres, Ali Shah composes poems and listens to music, secluded in his palace. The court was of no help, as exemplified by nobles Mir and Mirza, who, ignoring the situation of their country and all their duties towards their families, spend their days playing endless parties of chess.
3 wins & 1 nomination.
Creative