If I ask you to name a movie starring Sanjeev Kumar and Amjad Khan, most of you will yell Sholay! without missing a beat. And why not? It’s an all-time classic. But what if I told you there’s another film featuring these two powerhouse actors, and even Amitabh Bachchan (in a unique way)?
Yes, I’m talking about Shatranj Ke Khiladi (1977), the Satyajit Ray masterpiece. While Sholay was all about action, revenge, and larger-than-life characters, Shatranj Ke Khiladi is the opposite—slow, thoughtful, and quietly powerful. And guess what? Amitabh Bachchan may not be on screen, but his voice guides us through the story as the narrator.
Friendship
At the heart of both Sholay and Shatranj Ke Khiladi lies the theme of friendship, albeit in very different settings. In Sholay, we see the legendary bond between Jai and Veeru—two friends who laugh, fight, and risk their lives for each other. Their camaraderie is built on action, loyalty, and a strong moral compass.
Meanwhile Shatranj Ke Khiladi, is about two navabs from Lucknow—Mirza Sajjad Ali (Sanjeev Kumar) and Mir Roshan Ali (Saeed Jaffrey). While the British are plotting to take over the kingdom of Avadh, these two are deeply engrossed in…a game of chess. Literally. They are so obsessed with their matches that they don’t notice their world falling apart. Priorities, right?
Their dynamic reminds me of a friendship in my own life. If I were Mir Roshan Ali, then I know exactly who my Mirza Sajjad Ali would be—a friend who shares my quirks, my competitive spirit, and my ability to get lost in meaningless debates while the world moves on around us.
Friendship: The Common Thread Between Two Films
Both Sholay and Shatranj Ke Khiladi may be vastly different in tone and style, but one thing binds them together—friendship. In Sholay, we see the unbreakable bond between Jai and Veeru, two friends who stick together through thick and thin, fighting bandits and risking their lives for each other. Meanwhile, Shatranj Ke Khiladi presents a very different yet equally deep friendship between Mirza and Mir Roshan Ali. Their relationship isn’t forged in battle, but in their shared obsession with chess, their witty banter, and their mutual ignorance of the world crumbling around them. Both films highlight how friendships can take different forms—some full of action and sacrifice, others built on shared passions and obliviousness to reality.
A Different Side of Sanjeev Kumar and Amjad Khan
We all remember Sanjeev Kumar as the brave Thakur and Amjad Khan as the terrifying Gabbar Singh in Sholay. But here, they show an entirely different side. Sanjeev Kumar’s Mirza is witty, sarcastic, and completely unaware of reality, while Amjad Khan plays Wajid Ali Shah, a poetic and melancholic king who would rather write songs than fight the British. Who knew Gabbar could be so poetic?
It’s incredible how these two actors could effortlessly shift from intense action-packed roles in Sholay to this deep, introspective period drama in just two years. If that’s not versatility, I don’t know what is!
A Hidden Gem Worth Watching
If you haven’t seen Shatranj Ke Khiladi yet, add it to your watchlist. It’s not a film that rushes to entertain you—it takes its time, much like the chess matches it portrays. But it leaves you thinking long after it’s over. It’s a story about obsession, ignorance, and how sometimes, people prefer distractions over facing harsh realities.
Oh, and before I forget—both Sholay and Shatranj Ke Khiladi share another common actor: the ever-charming Leela Mishra, our beloved Mausi Ji from Sholay! Talk about an unexpected connection.
So, the next time someone asks about a movie with Sanjeev Kumar and Amjad Khan, surprise them. Instead of just saying Sholay, throw in Shatranj Ke Khiladi—and maybe challenge them to a game of chess while you’re at it!