Cast: Sanjeev Kumar, Saeed Jaffrey, Shabana Azmi, Farida Jalal, Veena, David Abraham, Victor Banerji, Amjad Khan, Sir Richard Attenborough; narrator, Amitabh Bachchan. Based on the story by Munshi Premchand. Originally released as a motion picture in 1977. Special features: Satyajit Ray: selected filmography; original British poster art ; production notes (on version of film used on the DVD).
Summary:
This drama about colonialism and indigenous culture is set in 1856 at the court of Wajid Ali Shah in Lucknow, the capital of Oudh. Features two parallel narratives. The first shows rich landowners Meer and Mirza pour every ounce of passion into a never-ending game of chess. Without thinking of their responsibilities to their families and the political uprising in the kingdom, the two men just keep playing. The second narrative dramatises the conflict between Wajid Ali Shah and General James Outram who represents Lord Dalhousie's treacherously implemented annexation policies. Wajid Ali is shown as a politically weak figure who surrenders to the British without a fight.
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