Shatranj Ke Khilari (1977)

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... See full summary »

Director:

Satyajit Ray

Writers:

Munshi Premchand (story) (as Premchand), Satyajit Ray (dialogue)

Stars:

Sanjeev Kumar, Saeed Jaffrey, Shabana Azmi

3 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sanjeev Kumar	...	Mirza Sajjad Ali
Saeed Jaffrey	...	Mir Roshan Ali
Shabana Azmi	...	Khurshid, Mirza's wife
Farida Jalal	...	Nafisa, Mir's wife
Veena	...	Queen Mother
David Abraham	...	Munshi
Victor Banerjee	...	Prime Minister (as Victor Bannerji)
Farooq Shaikh	...	Aqueel (as Farooque Shaikh)
Tom Alter	...	Capt. Weston (Outram's aide de camp)
Leela Mishra	...	Hirya, Khurshid's maid
Barry John
Samarth Narain	...	Kallu
Bhudo Advani	...	Abbajani (as Budho Advani)
Kamu Mukherjee	...	(as Kamu Mukherji)
Uttamram Nagar

Storyline

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.

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Plot Keywords:

india | chess | pistol | annexation | chessboard | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | History

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

India

Language:

Hindi Urdu English

Release Date:

3 October 1977 (India)

Also Known As:

The Chess Players

Filming Locations:

Indrapuri Studios, Calcutta, West Bengal, India

Company Credits

Production Co:

Devki Chitra

Technical Specs

Runtime:

129 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Did You Know?

Trivia

Farooq Shaik is having an affair with Farida Jalal, wife of Saeed Jaffrey. One day Saeed Jaffrey finds him under the cot. To which Farooq Shaik replies - They are forcing people to join the army. That is why I am hiding here. Saeed Jaffrey repeats this to his friend Sanjeev Kumar who gives him a know it all look.

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Quotes

Mir Roshan Ali: Jinse apni biwiyan nahin sambhli woh angreaz fauz se Kyla ladenge. Those who can't handle their wives, who can they fight the British invaders.

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Connections

Featured in Celluloid Man (2012)

User Reviews

Another Ray classic !!

Shatranj Ke Khilari is the first Hindi film by who is undoubtedly the best film-maker India has ever had. Satyajit Ray made this movie in 1977, having established his reputation worldwide as an ace director with his Bengali art pieces.

Based in mid 19th century, this is an account of the British annexation of one of the last independent kingdoms of India, Awadh. The British, by that year, have quite a firm hold on the subcontinent and are keen to swallow down everything that has not yet been under their direct control. So the East India Company and its representative General Outram decide that it was time for the ruling king, Nawab Wajid Ali Shah to step down from his throne.

Wajid Ali Shah, the king, is that only by name. He is an indifferent ruler whose days and nights are occupied not with the affairs of state, but the artistic charms of music, poetry and dance. He is a ruler who finds it convenient to leave the important matters regarding his kingdom to his subordinates, while he indulges in life's countless pleasures. Inevitably, the British, sensing a weak king, are tempted to take over the control of the province.

Meanwhile, two of the king's friends, Mirza Sajid Ali and Mir Roshan Ali are busy satisfying their own personal urges. In a time when the king needs their help desperately, they engage all day in the old Indian game of Chess. Oblivious and indifferent to what is happening to Lucknow and their own private household, these chess-crazy men spend days challenging each other to games of a sport played with soldiers which are not real, but wooden pieces which move on a small 64-squared board. Their inconsequential moves on that board act as a substitute to the possible resistance they could have shown to the British takeover.

It is extremely difficult to find flaws in such a movie. As with all Ray movies, this movie doesn't have too much of a storyline to boast about. This is just a beautiful account which epitomizes the kind of inactivity and submission our country had sunk into in those times. The acting is, as expected, spotless. Everyone has done his part to perfection. The direction and camera-work are as good as any other Ray movie. The dialogues are as precise as we have got from movies like Umrao Jaan or Mughal-E-Azam. Each and every line spoken is worth listening to again and again. As an added attraction, Amitabh Bachchan has lent his voice for the narration, which is something he has done quite well.

The pace of the movie being slow, it is of course not everyone's cup of tea. But this movie is a must-watch for its brilliant acting and direction. And no other form of art can possibly be more expressive of the Indian mentality back in the 19th century.