Did you know? Amitabh Bachchan was the narrator of Satyajit Ray’s iconic Hindi masterpiece

Shatranj Ke Khilari (The Chess Players), released in 1977, is the legendary Satyajit Ray’s first and only full-length Hindi film. Adapted from Munshi Premchand’s short story, it is a richly layered period drama set in 1856 Lucknow. The film masterfully depicts the decadence of the Awadh nobility and the British annexation of the kingdom.

While Amitabh Bachchan does not appear on screen, he serves as the film’s narrator, providing a compelling voiceover that frames the historical and cultural context. His deep, resonant voice guides viewers through the story’s political backdrop and the foreshadowing of Awadh’s fall. Even with an all-star cast, Bachchan’s narration remains a standout element.

The collaboration between Satyajit Ray, regarded as one of India’s greatest filmmakers, and Amitabh Bachchan, who was then on his way to becoming Bollywood’s biggest superstar, was unusual and fascinating. Despite Bachchan’s rising stardom, Ray chose him purely for his commanding voice and ability to deliver a dignified, evocative narration.

Bachchan’s narration is not just functional but almost poetic. His voice sets the tone for the film’s satirical take on the complacency of the chess-obsessed nawabs Mirza Sajjad Ali (Sanjeev Kumar) and Mir Roshan Ali (Saeed Jaffrey) as British forces close in. His measured delivery helps underline the irony and impending doom.

Though Shatranj Ke Khilari is primarily celebrated for Ray’s direction, Richard Attenborough’s performance as General Outram, and Amjad Khan as Wajid Ali Shah, cinephiles often note how Amitabh Bachchan’s narration became an integral part of the film’s mood and storytelling. Even today, his voiceover is cited as an early example of how narration can elevate historical cinema.