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The Chess Players

Original title: Shatranj Ke Khilari
  • 1977
  • Not Rated
  • 2h 9m
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
4.2K
YOUR RATING
The Chess Players (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 way for an annexation. While pressure was mounting amidst intrigue and political maneuvers, 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 of their duties towards their families, spend their days playing endless parties of chess.
Play trailer1:33
1 Video
33 Photos
ComedyDramaHistory

In 1856, two obsessed noblemen ignore everything while playing chess and fail to notice British rule extending into their Indian province.In 1856, two obsessed noblemen ignore everything while playing chess and fail to notice British rule extending into their Indian province.In 1856, two obsessed noblemen ignore everything while playing chess and fail to notice British rule extending into their Indian province.

  • Director
    • Satyajit Ray
  • Writers
    • Munshi Premchand
    • Satyajit Ray
    • Shama Zaidi
  • Stars
    • Sanjeev Kumar
    • Saeed Jaffrey
    • Shabana Azmi
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    7.5/10
    4.2K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Satyajit Ray
    • Writers
      • Munshi Premchand
      • Satyajit Ray
      • Shama Zaidi
    • Stars
      • Sanjeev Kumar
      • Saeed Jaffrey
      • Shabana Azmi
    • 30User reviews
    • 28Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 4 wins & 3 nominations

    Videos1

    The Chess Players (1977) Trailer
    Trailer 1:33
    The Chess Players (1977) Trailer

    Photos33

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    Top cast27

    Edit
    Sanjeev Kumar
    Sanjeev Kumar
    • Mirza Sajjad Ali
    Saeed Jaffrey
    Saeed Jaffrey
    • Mir Roshan Ali
    Shabana Azmi
    Shabana Azmi
    • Khurshid, Mirza's wife
    Farida Jalal
    Farida Jalal
    • Nafisa, Mir's wife
    Veena
    Veena
    • Queen Mother
    David Abraham
    David Abraham
    • Munshi
    Victor Banerjee
    Victor Banerjee
    • Prime Minister
    • (as Victor Bannerji)
    Farooq Shaikh
    Farooq Shaikh
    • Aqueel
    • (as Farooque Shaikh)
    Tom Alter
    Tom Alter
    • Capt. Weston (Outram's aide de camp)
    Leela Mishra
    Leela Mishra
    • Hirya, Khurshid's maid
    Barry John
    Samarth Narain
    • Kallu
    Bhudo Advani
    • Abbajani
    • (as Budho Advani)
    Kamu Mukherjee
      Uttamram Nagar
      Khairatilal Lahori
      Pradip Shankar
      Ashfaq Mirza
      • Director
        • Satyajit Ray
      • Writers
        • Munshi Premchand
        • Satyajit Ray
        • Shama Zaidi
      • All cast & crew
      • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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      Storyline

      Edit

      Did you know

      Edit
      • Trivia
        Satyajit Ray's only Hindi movie.
      • Quotes

        Mir Roshan Ali: Jinse apni biwi-yan nahin sambhli woh angreaz fauz se kya ladenge. Translation : Those whom couldn't even care for their wives, would not be able to fight the British army.

      • Connections
        Featured in Celluloid Man (2012)

      User reviews30

      Review
      Review
      Featured review
      7/10

      Satyajit Ray is a true legend

      This was my first Satyajit Ray movie. And I have to tell you that he truly deserved the lifetime Oscar that he got. The movie is a true classic. And Sanjeev Kumar proves again that what a class actor he is. Sayeed Jaffery and Amjad khan were also very good. The camera angles used in the movie were simply terrific. Especially that scene in which Sayeed Jaffery changes the pawns. This movie however I might say that is not for a regular movie viewer. As the story is slow and you get to know what a real art movie is. I hope Satyajit Ray would have made some more Hindi films for the Hindi viewers. I really loved it and would recommend it to anyone who loves art movies. A true gem of a movie.
      • nitinjain_nitin
      • Jul 15, 2008
      • Permalink

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      FAQ16

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      Details

      Edit
      • Release date
        • October 3, 1977 (India)
      • Country of origin
        • India
      • Languages
        • Hindi
        • Urdu
        • English
      • Also known as
        • Die Schachspieler
      • Filming locations
        • Indrapuri Studios, Calcutta, West Bengal, India(studio: Indrapuri Studios, Calcutta)
      • Production company
        • Devki Chitra
      • See more company credits at IMDbPro

      Tech specs

      Edit
      • Runtime
        2 hours 9 minutes
      • Sound mix
        • Mono

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