The Black Prince with Shabana Azmi, Satinder Sartaaj a fiery story about the last King of Punjab

The trailer of the Hollywood movie, The Black Prince, based on the life of Duleep Singh, the last King of Punjab, was released at the Cannes Film Festival on Sunday (21 May). The film stars Shabana Azmi, Satinder Sartaaj, Jason Flemyng among others.

Written and directed by Kavi Raz, the film tells the story of Duleep Singh's taken to England as a child and his lifelong battle to reclaim ownership of his kingdom.

The trailer begins with the scenes of a grown up Duleep Singh questioning his British guardians about his own kingdom in Punjab. Shot elegantly, the trailer offers a glimpse into a film about a passionate man who sought to rediscover the land of his forefathers. Flemyng plays Dr John Login who was responsible for the prince's care in England. He eventually meets his own mother, played effervescently by Shabana Azmi, and discovers the importance of being the ruler he was meant to be. The only roadblock is the British government who do not want yet another rule to rise against them.

Director Kavi Raz's film takes its title from the one bestowed upon Maharaja Duleep Singh by Queen Victoria, Black Prince. The king fought a lifelong battle to return to his homeland of Punjab, but was thwarted at every step. He died a penniless pauper in a hotel in Paris in 1849.

The film deals with a unique subject, and has quite a talented cast going for it. The eponymous character of the film is played by Punjabi singer Sartinder Sartaaj, while Azmi plays the fiery queen, Jind Kaur, who lights the fire in the young prince's heart. In a few scenes in the trailer, Azmi delivers an example of the superiority of her craft. The beautiful shots of the trailer and the soaring background score only add to its liveliness.

The Black Prince is set to be released internationally on 21 July.

Watch trailer here: