The Chess Players

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. Based on Munshi Premchand's short story of the same name. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in partnership with The Film Foundation in 2010.

Top 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

Richard Attenborough

General Outram

N/A

Samarth Narain

Kallu

N/A

Bhudo Advani

Abbajani