IMDb RATING
7.5/10
4.2K
YOUR RATING
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.
- Awards
- 4 wins & 3 nominations
Victor Banerjee
- Prime Minister
- (as Victor Bannerji)
Farooq Shaikh
- Aqueel
- (as Farooque Shaikh)
Bhudo Advani
- Abbajani
- (as Budho Advani)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaSatyajit 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.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Celluloid Man (2012)
Featured review
Shatranj Ke Khilari is Sayajit Ray's first Hindi movie. It is, though a bit too slow at points, special, different, comic, and as a result unusually entertaining. This satirical drama is humorous, interesting and impressive, and Ray's direction is excellent. It is evidently well invested, with glossy sets and costumes. The writing is superb, with the brilliantly-written dialogues surpassing the storyline itself, and the culture and the atmosphere of those times is captured exceedingly well. All these aspects, along with the music composed by Ray and the fantastic narration of Amitabh Bachchan, create an engagingly artistic and poetic piece. Ray casts some of the most talented leading actors from the Hindi film industry, all of whom suit their roles and do a wonderful job. Amjad Khan is great as Nawab Wajid Ali Shah. Sanjeev Kumar and Saeed Jaffrey are exceptional as the chess-obsessed noblemen, who ironically indulge in ceaseless chess playing while showing minimal interest in the state of their marriages, wives and even their nation. Shabana Azmi and Farida Jalal play their neglected wives, and they excel in their very tiny roles (each has only a few minutes on-screen). Azmi is convincing as the frustrated Khurshid and Jalal is awesome as the unfaithful wife who has an affair with her husband's nephew Aqueel. Richard Attenbrough and Victor Banerjee provide great support. Shatranj Ke Khilari is a nice little film. It is not among the very best of Ray, but it is certainly a worthy picture and of the most strikingly unique films of those times.
- Peter_Young
- May 28, 2010
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Die Schachspieler
- Filming locations
- Indrapuri Studios, Calcutta, West Bengal, India(studio: Indrapuri Studios, Calcutta)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime2 hours 9 minutes
- Sound mix
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