The Black Prince

The Black Prince, a riveting historical drama, was released in 2017 and features esteemed actors Jason Flemyng, Amanda Root, and Shabana Azmi in influential roles. Director Kavi Raz takes us through the pages of history, presenting a carefully curated depiction of Maharajah Duleep Singh's life as the last King of Punjab, his forced exile to England, his relationship with Queen Victoria, and his struggle to reclaim his lost kingdom and shattered identity.

Satinder Sartaaj, a well-regarded Punjabi singer, makes his film debut as the adult Duleep Singh, otherwise known as the eponymous Black Prince. The film captures Sartaaj in a nuanced performance as he portrays Singh's transformation from a boy king deprived of his mother to a man torn between two vastly different cultures. Sartaaj's portrayal presents us with a reassessment of the colonial history entwined with Singh's life, highlighting the man's constant struggle between reality and his rightful royal blood.

Jason Flemyng plays the part of Dr. John Login, a Scottish surgeon, who serves as the Maharajah's guardian during his early years in Britain. Amanda Root brilliantly portrays Queen Victoria, who not only has the Maharajah as part of her court but endearingly sees him as her godson. And, Shabana Azmi, one of India's legendary actresses, dons the role of Rani Jindan, Duleep Singh's mother, who is exiled by the British and thus separated from her son at a very young age. These characters embody the human ties and emotional relationships that surround the political landscape dominating the Maharajah's life.

The Black Prince is more than just a biography; it explores the themes of identity, assimilation, conformity, and the search for one's true self. It navigates the protocol-laden world of the British aristocracy, contrasting it sharply with the royal upbringing Duleep Singh had started within Punjab. It further investigates the psychology of colonization, and the toll it takes on a young mind, expelled from his homeland, deprived of his mother, and robbed of his cultural identity.

Duleep Singh's journey is one of transformation. England, where he spends most of his life, proves to be a land of opportunities and betrayals. Being the only Sikh in Queen Victoria's court, he oscillates between embracing British culture and yearning for his lost kingdom and identity. The Black Prince captures this inner turmoil with a deft touch and an eye for historical detail. It is a poignant examination of Duleep’s complex identity as an Indian, a Sikh, a British subject, a friend of Queen Victoria, and the last King of Punjab.

The movie project, however, reaches beyond the central character, providing a critique of the British Empire's actions in the mid-19th century. It explores themes of colonialism, power dynamics, and the contemporary role of Britain in world politics. The portrayal of Queen Victoria simultaneously reflects the compassion of a motherly figure and the firm hand of a colonial monarch. Through the Maharajah's eyes, the audience gets a look at the complexity of colonial rule and its effects on the lives of both the colonizers and the colonized.

Drawn from historical records and Singh's private journals, the script appreciates the complexities of the political scenario and deals subtly with the cultural collision. Kavi Raz's direction uses all these elements to paint a multi-layered biographical portrait. The cinematography complements the narrative beautifully, and the film’s production design faithfully replicates the grandeur of 19th-century British aristocracy.

The Black Prince, with its richly woven narrative, is a work of historical significance and emotional depth, re-imagining the life of a man lost in the annals of colonial history. It encourages audiences to explore the concept of identity and the sense of belonging somewhere, challenging the often oversimplified narrative of colonizer and colonized.

In conclusion, The Black Prince is a profound exploration of a historical figure’s hypnotic journey through life, caught between two worlds, struggling to find a sense of identity amid the political tumult of his time. Filled with impeccably staged scenes and powerful performances, The Black Prince is a film that brings the almost forgotten story of Duleep Singh back to life, giving a voice to a man whose history was almost erased by the annals of time.