Hey there, movie buffs! Today we’re going to talk about a classic movie that every quality movie lover should watch – Shatranj Ke Khilari (The Chess Players, 1977) by the master director Satyajit Ray. But before we dive in, I strongly recommend that you watch this movie first.
The background
Satyajit Ray’s first Hindi movie made with a comparatively large budget is a subtle probe into the impact of the West on India. It’s set in Lucknow in 1856, just before the Indian Mutiny, and depicts the downfall of the ruler Wajid Ali at the hands of the British with exquisite irony and pathos.
Based on a short story by Munshi Premchand, the movie explores the parallel threads of chess players Mirza Sajjad Ali (Sanjeev Kumar) and Mir Roshan Ali (Saeed Jaffrey) who are two aristocrats living in the state of Oudh. They’re passionate chess players who play every day from morning to dusk, even while eating.
Also Read: Rui Ka Bojh 1997 (The Weight of Cotton) – Pankaj Kapur’s epic family drama
The plot
Mirza and Mir are so engrossed in their game that they ignore everything else, including their wives Khurshid (Shabana Azmi) and Nafisa (Farida Jalal). They’re unaware of the regime change that is happening outside the walls of their palace. Meanwhile, Nawab Wajid Ali Shah of Oudh (Amjad Khan) spends most of his time on various activities like dancing, writing poetry, and women, appearing almost comic.
Richard Attenborough plays Outram, the Company representative in Oudh, who feels that the Nawab is not fit to rule the state. While the Nawab and the other royals are busy in their leisure activities, the East India Company decides to take over the reins of Oudh. What happens to Oudh and the chess players is a story that is delightful to watch.
The visuals
The cinematography in Shatranj Ke Khilari is excellent, as in all of Ray’s films. The art direction by Bansi Chandragupta is also awesome, bringing the Lucknow of the 1850s to life again. The music has been composed by Satyajit Ray himself.
The cast
Shatranj Ke Khilari switches between Hindi and English; all dialogues of the British officers are in English, while the rest are in Hindi. Ray even uses cartoons at places to narrate things! But what stays with you long after you have turned off your screens are scenes like the close-up shot of a hookah from a low angle against a completely dark background, with only the hookah highlighted. From the dark background looming large over the low-angle camera emerges the eerie image of the servant filling the hookah.
Shatranj Ke Khilari has a great star cast. Saeed Jaffrey is awesome with his subtle comical sense and forgetful nature. Sanjeev Kumar, known for his subtlety, plays the part of the angry and proud Mirza Sajjad Ali to perfection.
Verdict
Overall, Shatranj Ke Khilari is a rare gem in Indian cinema, with its unique style and parallel threads. While it may not have the lyrical beauty of Pather Panchali or Charulatha, it definitely leaves an impact on you with its exquisite irony and pathos. This movie is a must-watch for every quality movie lover, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
