Shatranj Ke Khilari (1977) :
Brief Review -
Satyajit Ray's first feature in Hindi Industry is far behind his Classic Bengali films. When i begun watching Satyajit Ray's films i had to start with Bengali films (as he debuted there) even though i don't know bengali language (thanks to English subtitles). I am impressed by his storytelling skills and moulding of mainstream cinema into parallel cinema but as soon as i was finished with some of his classic bengali film, this Shatranj Ke Khilari came into my sight. I was desparate to watch his debut film in Hindi so i kept his remaining bengali films aside for a while and decided to watch Hindi one first. Unfortunately, the experience wasn't great as Shatranj Ke Khilari is left far behind on quality basis. I just couldn't get what was the reason to make this film. What was it all about if it was just about telling Indian history with the sideline of tricks used in chess. Two chess fanatics and the story of King Wajid Ali Shah in 19th century wasn't upto any kind engrossing cinema at all. Maybe the choice of script went wrong or may be that common conclusion went wrong. Now here by went wrong i don't mean went bad, it is just that Ray's level is far higher than Good or better terms for me and Shatranj Ke Khilari didn't touch it. High quality performance by talented cast are incomparable to the low quality of writing, set decoration looks fine, art designing could have been better, cinematography is little below the mark and Ray'a direction is good. Shatranj Ke Khilari is an interesting story though and a well fought battle against the contemporary hindi cinema. Just because of less intellectuality it stays behind other Satyajit Ray's Masterpiece otherwise it's a Good watchable film like any other hindi film.
RATING - 6/10*
By - #samthebestest
Satyajit Ray's first feature in Hindi Industry is far behind his Classic Bengali films. When i begun watching Satyajit Ray's films i had to start with Bengali films (as he debuted there) even though i don't know bengali language (thanks to English subtitles). I am impressed by his storytelling skills and moulding of mainstream cinema into parallel cinema but as soon as i was finished with some of his classic bengali film, this Shatranj Ke Khilari came into my sight. I was desparate to watch his debut film in Hindi so i kept his remaining bengali films aside for a while and decided to watch Hindi one first. Unfortunately, the experience wasn't great as Shatranj Ke Khilari is left far behind on quality basis. I just couldn't get what was the reason to make this film. What was it all about if it was just about telling Indian history with the sideline of tricks used in chess. Two chess fanatics and the story of King Wajid Ali Shah in 19th century wasn't upto any kind engrossing cinema at all. Maybe the choice of script went wrong or may be that common conclusion went wrong. Now here by went wrong i don't mean went bad, it is just that Ray's level is far higher than Good or better terms for me and Shatranj Ke Khilari didn't touch it. High quality performance by talented cast are incomparable to the low quality of writing, set decoration looks fine, art designing could have been better, cinematography is little below the mark and Ray'a direction is good. Shatranj Ke Khilari is an interesting story though and a well fought battle against the contemporary hindi cinema. Just because of less intellectuality it stays behind other Satyajit Ray's Masterpiece otherwise it's a Good watchable film like any other hindi film.
RATING - 6/10*
By - #samthebestest