The Chess Players

– It is the year 1856. Nawab Wajid Ali Shah is the king of Awadh, one of the last independent kingdoms..

Type:
Movie
Rating:
7.80 / 10
Duration:
2 Hours and 9 Minutes
Release Year:
1977
Original Name:
शतरंज के खिलाड़ी
The Chess Players (1977) - Also known as शतरंज के खिलाड़ी

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.

Styles:
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Release Date:

03 Oct 1977

Language:

Hindi, Urdu, English

MPAA Content-Rating:
Not Rated

Director:

Satyajit Ray

Writer:

Munshi Premchand (story), Satyajit Ray (dialogue), Shama Zaidi (dialogue), Javed Siddiqui (dialogue), Satyajit Ray (screenplay)

Main Actors:

Sanjeev Kumar, Saeed Jaffrey, Shabana Azmi, Farida Jalal

Plot:

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.

Awards:

3 wins & 1 nomination.

Production:

Creative

Ratings:
Internet Movie Database:
7.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes:
89%