The trailer of Satinder Sartaj and Shabana Azmi starrer The Black Prince was unveiled at the 70th Annual International Cannes Film Festival and it promises to reveal some unheard and untouched facts about pre-independence Indian history. The trailer was released at the Cannes’ India Pavilion followed by a special screening which was met with huge appreciation from all quarters.
In the words of writer and director Kavi Raz, ‘The Black Prince’ is a tragic yet fascinating true story about the last King of the Kingdom of Punjab, Maharaja Duleep Singh (Satinder Sartaj), who was placed on the throne at age 5 but was robbed of it by a treason from his trusted courtiers. At age 15, he was taken to England by the British, away from his mother (Shabana Azmi). He was then baptized. As his character evolves, he finds himself torn between the two cultures and as a result facing constant dilemmas. The film highlights the fragile relationship Maharaja Duleep Singh shares with Queen Victoria (who took a liking for him and called him ‘The Black Prince’) and who became Godmother to his children. He then begins a lifelong struggle to regain his lost kingdom and re-embrace the faith of his birth, Sikhism, which takes him on a journey across the world.
One more fascinating fact that will be depicted in the film according to its director is how the precious Kohinoor diamond was deceivingly snatched away from the young King
The Black Prince is written and directed by Punjabi origin filmmaker Kavi Raz and is produced by Brillstein Entertainment Partners (Academy Award winning film 12 Years A Slave). The film was shot extensively in England with some portion of the filming done in Bikaner, Rajasthan.
The movie will be up for release in English, Hindi and Punjabi on 21 July 2017.
