The Chess Players
Satyajit Ray's First Hindi feature Film
Overview
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.
Cast
Sanjeev Kumar
Mirza Sajjad Ali
Saeed Jaffrey
Mir Roshan Ali
Amjad Khan
Wajid Ali Shah
Shabana Azmi
Khurshid
Farida Jalal
Nafisa
Veena
Queen Mother
David Abraham Cheulkar
Munshi
Victor Banerjee
Prime Minister
Farooq Shaikh
Aqueel
Tom Alter
Capt. Weston
Leela Mishra
Hirya
Barry John
