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.
Directed by Satyajit Ray
chess
based on short story
colonial india
19th century
IMDB
N/A
Letterboxd
3.8 / 5
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
Crew
Satyajit Ray
Director
Satyajit Ray
Screenplay
Munshi Premchand
Writer
Satyajit Ray
Original Music Composer
Dulal Dutta
Editor
Soumendu Roy
Director of Photography
Munshi Premchand
Short Story
Kabi Dasgupta
Background Designer
Shama Zaidi
Costume Design
Shama Zaidi
Dialogue
Sandip Ray
Still Photographer
Uma Da Cunha
Publicist
Popular Reviews
16 reviews
ashton
6.0★ · 02/27/26
if these dudes were alive today they would 100% be valorant or league chuds
if these dudes were alive today they would 100% be valorant or league chuds
Sarah
7.0★ · 10/21/25
Watched for the Anti-Criterion Challenge 2025:letterboxd.com/that1oboist/list/the-anti-criterion-challenge-2025/
38/52: Mentioned in Shazia Iqbal’s article Muslim Life in India for Film Independent
Watched for the Anti-Criterion Challenge 2025:letterboxd.com/that1oboist/list/the-anti-criterion-challenge-2025/
38/52: Mentioned in Shazia Iqbal’s article Muslim Life in India for Film Independent
Rohan
6.8★ · 06/04/25
just two rich bros playing their little games to escape the problems in their world.
just two rich bros playing their little games to escape the problems in their world.
Liberty
7.5★ · 02/17/25
second best chess Film following cocteaus 8x8 chess sonata
second best chess Film following cocteaus 8x8 chess sonata
Medhansh
3.5★ · 10/04/23
Weird plot.Movie is about the bad effects of addiction.
Weird plot.Movie is about the bad effects of addiction.
