The Black Prince, a film made on the life of Raja Duleep Singh and the Maharani Jind Kaur is set for release on 19th May 2017. The Maharani Jind Kaur had waged two fateful wars against the British which led to the annexation of the Punjab. Jind was torn away from her son Duleep Singh – the “Black Prince” when he was just nine-years-old and adopted by a colonial surgeon in England.
The film examines the life and legacy of the Maharajah in exile in the UK. Produced by Brillstein Entertainment (Academy Award winning film 12 Years A Slave), The Black Prince is a period drama written and directed by Hollywood filmmaker Kavi Raz.
Kavi Raz wrote on social media, “the Black Prince is not just a film, but a dream come true and a promise fulfilled.”
Acclaimed singer-poet Satinder Sartaaj marked his acting debut in the film, as Maharajah Duleep Singh. The other notable characters are played by Jason Flemyng (Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch) as Dr. Login, the foster parent for the Maharajah, English stage, screen actress Amanda Root (The Iron Lady), who portrays the bold role of Queen Victoria; and veteran actress Shabana Azmi (City of Joy) as Rani Jindan, the exiled King’s mother.
“I made a pledge to myself. It was a promise that I would not only share this great and tragic story of Duleep Singh, the boy King of the mighty Kingdom of Punjab, but in the process, I would share something of myself as well: my heart and soul that moves and inspires me,” quoted Kavi.
Filmed widely across the UK and India, its captures the tragic, yet fascinating true story and legacy of Maharajah Duleep Singh, providing a visual narrative of one of India’s most noble kings, and his fragile relationship with Queen Victoria, who was Godmother to his children.
