Historical background The film is set in 1856 on the eve of the
Indian Rebellion of 1857. The British are about to annexe the
Oudh State (also spelled Awadh). The daily life of two wealthy men who are devoted to chess is presented against the background of scheming officials of the British
East India Company, the history of its relations with the Indian ruler of Awadh, and the ruler's devotion both to his religious practice and the pursuit of pleasure.
Summary The film shows in parallel the historical drama of the Indian
princely state of
Awadh (whose capital is
Lucknow) and its
Nawab,
Wajid Ali Shah who is overthrown by the British, alongside the story of two noblemen who are obsessed with
shatranj, i.e.
chess.
Wajid Ali Shah, the ruling
Nawab of Awadh, is a languid artist and poet, no longer in command of events and unable to effectively oppose the British demand for his throne. Parallel to this wider drama is the personal (and humorous) tale of two rich, indolent noblemen of this kingdom, Mirza Sajjad Ali and Mir Roshan Ali. Inseparable friends, the two nobles are passionately obsessed with the game of
shatranj (
chess). Both effectively neglect their wives and fail to fight the takeover of their kingdom by the
East India Company. Instead, they escape their harangued wives and responsibilities, fleeing from Lucknow to play chess in a tiny village untouched by greater events. Ray's basic theme in the film is the message that the self-centredness, detachment and cowardice of India's ruling classes catalysed the annexation of
Awadh by a handful of British officials, among whom Captain Weston, a British soldier in love with
Urdu poetry, is also worth noting. In the last scene, after which Mir shoots at Mirza and complains out loud "(If you die) I won't have a partner to play chess with", Mirza responds to him "but you have one in front of you!" (thus making him understand that he forgives him). He finally concludes that "after nightfall, we will go back home. We both need darkness to hide our faces." ==Cast==