The 1977 film, a masterpiece, was the only Hindi film directed by Ray.
Say Amjad Khan, and chances are your mind jumps straight to Gabbar Singh, the ruthless dacoit from 'Sholay'. That role was so powerful, it overshadowed almost everything else he did. But come on, there was so much more to Khan than just “Kitne aadmi the?” He was a truly versatile actor who could shift from menace to charm to humor without missing a beat. And not many know that this same actor was once directed by none other than Satyajit Ray. Yes, the maestro of Indian cinema chose him for a role in one of his films.
As we remember Amjad Khan on his death anniversary, let’s look back at that surprising, often-overlooked moment in his career.
Released in 1977, 'Shatranj Ke Khilari' (The Chess Players) holds a unique place in Indian cinema. It was Satyajit Ray’s only full-length Hindi feature, a rare detour from his celebrated Bengali films. Based on Munshi Premchand’s short story, the film is set in Lucknow in 1856, just one year before the Indian Rebellion of 1857. With Ray’s signature layered storytelling, it unfolds two parallel narratives: one follows the British East India Company’s takeover of Awadh, led by General James Outram (played by Richard Attenborough), and the other, a satirical look at two aristocrats - Mirza Sajjad Ali (Sanjeev Kumar) and Mir Roshan Ali (Saeed Jaffrey) - so obsessed with chess that they remain blind to the political storm brewing around them.
Narrated in Amitabh Bachchan’s unmistakable voice, the film is a biting critique of feudal apathy and colonial cunning, told with elegance and restraint. It’s visually rich, packed with period detail, refined Urdu dialogues, and a dream ensemble cast. With a modest budget of Rs 20 lakh, it was Ray’s most expensive film at the time, yet still a shoestring budget by Bollywood standards. The film was lauded worldwide and was India’s official entry for Best Foreign Language Film at the 51st Academy Awards.
Coming fresh off 'Sholay', where he redefined what it meant to be a screen villain, Amjad Khan made a sharp left turn to play Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, the last king of Awadh. Initially, Ray wasn’t convinced. He feared the actor’s towering Gabbar persona would overshadow the delicate nuance the role demanded. But producer Suresh Jindal pushed for Amjad, pointing out the striking resemblance between him and old portraits of the Nawab. Ray gave in and never regretted it.
What emerged was a performance filled with melancholy and dignity. More than just a ruler, Amjad’s Nawab is a poet, a patron of the arts, a man in love with beauty even as his kingdom crumbles beneath him.
Ray expanded this role far beyond the original short story, making Wajid Ali Shah a central figure whose cultural depth stood in sharp contrast to the passivity of the chess players. It’s a performance that silences anyone who ever thought Amjad Khan was only meant to play villains.
While Ray had dabbled in Hindi before, 'Shatranj Ke Khilari' was his only full-length venture in the language. Though not fluent in Urdu, he collaborated closely with experts to ensure the dialogues retained their literary charm. Interestingly, Ray wrote the English scenes himself, including a memorable Shakespearean exchange between General Outram and Captain Weston (Tom Alter). The experience, though, left him disillusioned with the logistical challenges of Hindi cinema. He never returned to it again.
Amjad Khan nearly didn’t play Wajid Ali Shah. In 1976, just before filming began, he met with a life-threatening car accident on the Mumbai-Goa highway. With broken ribs and a punctured lung, his recovery was slow. Ray could’ve recast, but he waited. Shooting was postponed by eight months, showing how irreplaceable Amjad was for the role.
The film brought together some of Indian cinema’s finest, including Sanjeev Kumar, Saeed Jaffrey, Shabana Azmi, and Farooq Shaikh, along with international legends like Richard Attenborough. Shabana once said she would’ve held a broom for Ray if he asked, such was the reverence he commanded.
If you haven’t watched this masterpiece yet, maybe today’s the perfect day.
