The Chess Players (1977)

India

Drama

Devki Chitra

Sanjeev Kumar, Saeed Jaffrey, Amjad Khan, Shabana Azmi, Farida Jalal, Veena

Satyajit Ray

Satyajit Ray, Javed Siddiqui, Satyajit Ray, Shama Zaidi

Taglines: Satyajit Ray's First Hindi feature Film

chess, based on short story, colonial india, 19th century, preserved film

In the year 1856, Nawab Wajid Ali Shah is the King of Awadh, one of the last independent kingdoms of India. The British intend to control this rich land and send General Outram to clear way for an annexation. Pressure is mounting amidst intrigue and political maneuvers, but the Nawab whiles away his time in pursuit of pleasure and religious practice. The court is of no help either — noblemen Mir and Mirza ignore all duties and spend their days playing endless games of chess. Based on Munshi Premchand's short story of the same name. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in partnership with The Film Foundation in 2010.

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