It is a fascinating story. In 1843, a boy of five, son of the Lion of Punjab, is placed on the throne. At the age of 10, he is deposed, and at 15 exiled to England. A darling of the court, he lives a lavish life, converts to Christianity and is the fourth best shot in England. He also has second thoughts of his identity, his conversion and his inheritance. He dies in Paris at the age of 55 seeing India only twice after his exile. The tragedy of Dileep Singh, the last king of Punjab, makes for an intriguing tale.
Kavi Raz’ The Black Prince , however, is criminally dull. One cannot empathise with any of the characters. The good British, the uncouth ones, the regal Indians and the villainous traitors, all walk the stage of these momentous historical events with the excruciating blandness of a badly directed school play.
The only time the movie sparkles is when the Koh-i-Noor makes an appearance; mainly because it reminds one of the terrible tragedy of Hari Kumar in Paul Scott’s Raj Quartet . The BBC series with Art Malik as Hari crossing swords with Tim Piggot-Smith’s Ronald Merrick was a gripping portrayal of the Raj warts and all.
- Director: Kavi Raz
- Cast: Satinder Sartaaj, Shabana Azmi, Amanda Root, Jason Flemyng
- Story line: A bio pic of the last king of Punjab, Duleep Singh
While The Black Prince does not come anywhere close to that level of nuanced recreation, all would have been forgiven if it at least was a glorious period piece with gorgeous costumes, swash buckling acts of derring-do and swooning fair maidens. But no, it plods along seriously with actors standing about awkwardly mouthing their lines looking like they wished to be anywhere but here.
Shabana Azmi has fun as the feisty queen mother all twinkling jewellery and biting asides. Amanda Root makes for a conflicted Victoria. Singer-poet Satinder Sartaaj is supremely disappointing as Duleep Singh whose confusion in his illusory double life seems embodied in his weird and varied hairstyles and accent. Now we could wait for Gurinder Chadda’s Raj offering, Viceroy’s House or be completely cynical and watch Jewel in the Crown one more time. I think it is me they are looking for.
