Shatranj Ke Khilari / The Chess Players

Director Satyajit Ray offers a piercing commentary of India's ruling class during colonial rule under the British East India Company. Nawab Wajid Ali Shah of Awadh (Oudh) refuses to engage with company officials intent on colonizing his kingdom, while two men of his court spend their days playing shatranj, an ancient form of chess. Their pursuit of art and pleasure contributed to the company's seizure of Awadh.