Asoka
Tags: violence, historical, murder, storytelling

Plot synopsis:
The movie begins with an opening crawl, giving the viewer some context. Asoka is a child when his grandfather, Chandragupta Maurya, decides to renounce the throne to become a Jainist monk. Before his departure, Asoka's grandfather finds out that Asoka stole his sword and he confronts him. Chandragupta tells Asoka that his sword is cursed to taste blood whenever it is drawn, and he throws it into a creek. After he leaves, Asoka finds the sword and keeps it. The throne goes to Asoka's father, Bindusara, and the movie skips to Asokas adulthood. Bindusara is about to renounce the throne to his successor. He names his son Susima, who has the support of all his brothers except Asoka. When the movie picks up, Asoka is leading his troops in battle against the Takshila army, who have an advantage in numbers. Asoka prevails and kills the leader of the Takshilas. He comes home alive and unharmed, which angers Susima. Susima had ordered General Shivrath to make Asoka conquer Takshila with half an army, expecting Asoka to die in the struggle. Susima orders Shivrath dead and hires an assassin to kill Asoka while he is bathing. Asoka kills the assassin with ease and goes to visit his mother. His mother expresses concern and tells Asoka to leave the city, threatening to take a vow of silence if he does not. Not wanting his mother to never speak to anyone again, Asoka reluctantly leaves. Asoka wanders around, going under the name Pawan, and encounters a beautiful woman. He is immediately stricken with love, and he follows her. After hearing a request for the capture of Princess Kaurwaki and Prince Arya of Kalinga, Asoka saves the woman from attackers who wanted to collect the reward. He discovers that the woman is Princess Kaurwaki and she is escaping from the capital after the prime minister assassinated their parents. After getting to know Kaurwaki and Arya, Kaurwaki's bodyguard decides to go, leaving Asoka alone. The next day, Kaurwaki and Arya are assaulted by bounty hunters. The bodyguard fends off some but leaves to fnish them off. While waiting for him to come back, Kaurwaki and Arya encounter more enemies and try to defend themselves when Asoka comes out and defeats them all. Asoka continues to accompany Kaurwaki in her travels, training her to defend herself while trying to earn her love. At the same time, Kaurwaki develops feelings for Asoka. Bheema, the bodyguard, objects to these feelings, and after a heated argument with Kaurwaki, reveals that Kaurwaki is an adopted child, which shocks her. He tells Asoka, who decides that they should get married. After the marriage, a servant of Asokas mother tells him she is ill. He travels home alone to find his mother in full health. She is ecstatic to see him, and surprised but pleased to find that he has gotten married. However, the king tells Asoka that he must attack Kalinga to prevent an uprising. He goes to find Kaurwaki, who are hiding in the home of a loyal peasant. Their village is attacked by men trying to find Kaurwaki and Arya, and the daughter and grandson of the peasant take the place of Kaurwaki and Arya to protect them. Asoka returns to the burnt remains of the village. He finds Bheema, who is injured. Asoka believes Kaurwaki and Arya are dead and loses his will to live. He begins a devastating campaign and wins battle after battle until he is wounded and taken to a Buddhist monastery. There, he meets a woman named Devi, who, in a struggle, kills a man trying to assassinate Asoka. Because she committed murder, her marriage to another Buddhist is cancelled, so Asoka decides to marry her instead. He remains aching after the loss of Kaurwaki but loyal to Devi. Kaurwaki and Arya return to Kalinga and remove the prime minister from power. Asokas wife is pregnant, and Asoka believes it must be a son and shows intent to train him in the art of murder, which is against the will of Devi. Susima, desperate to stop Asoka from getting the throne, hires an assassin to kill Asokas child. In the attempt, Asokas mother dies, driving Asoka into a murderous rampage culminating in the death of Susima. Asoka kills all but one of Susimas brothers and takes the throne. Asoka leads a massive assault into Kalinga, who is holding the last brother. As he fights into Kalinga, he gains a reputation as a tyrant. Bheema tries to assassinate him but fails and dies in the attempt. Kaurwaki decides to fight in honor of Bheemas sacrifice. The battle commences and Kaurwaki is struck down. Asoka wins the battle. After the battle, he hears that Devi gave birth to twin, a girl and a boy, but she does not recognize Asoka as the father because of the evil he has commited. Asoka wanders the battlefield, heartbroken, when he overhears two soldiers discussing Kaurwaki and how they took her horse. Asoka takes the horse back and searches for Kaurwaki. While witnessing the horrors of his actions in the battlefield, Asoka finally finds Kaurwaki. She tries to attack him, but gives up and embraces him. As they hug, Arya calls out to Asoka. He comes closer and falls; he had been hit by three arrows to the back. After the battle, Asoka reminisces about the tragedies he caused. He returns to his home and throws his sword into the same creek he found it before. The movies ends with a closing crawl telling Asoka's spread of Buddhism.

Review: I wanted to know what happened to Davi, and I wanted to learn a few things from Asoka's latter days --when he embarked on his journey towards peace.This film is great, and I'm looking forward to seeing it again..
The story basically is how Prince Asoka rose to power to become King Asoka, and can happen when one is overcome with blind vengeance, despair and hatred...Shahrukh Khan (Asoka) has got to be by far, the best male Indian actor Ive seen, besides maybe Om Puri.
He has great chemistry with Kareena Kapoor and overall, the movie is well-acted.Asoka is more reminiscent of Braveheart (excellent film), not Gladiator (terrible garbage), which the liner notes suggest.
The movie is an epic and the first example of International Indian cinema on a wide scale, bigger canvas and projected through the eye of a master filmmaker.The film begins with the young Prince Asoka (Shah Rukh Khan) as a boy who watches his father accept Jainism, a peaceful religion that encourages him to toss aside his sword, which has caused much bloodshed.
To reveal the rest of the movie would be taking too much from the audiences' viewing pleasure but the journey for Asoka is far from over.A story of a traveller's travels, his education that is the journey, the loves and losses and wars and redemption all encompass this 173 minute epic that grips the viewer from the moment the camera pans down onto Asoka, as if indicating it is descending onto a mountain full of riches within, up until the deeply disturbing ending, which leaves the viewer with a ray of hope before the credits flash to announce not the end of the story but the beginning.Santosh Sivan's camerawork and direction are par excellence, as his unique flash-technique and use of many shots to accentuate a minor detail in a scene all add together to create a cleverly woven story immortalised on film.
A film such as Asoka cannot be appreciated on a single viewing alone as upon initial contact one is simply bombarded with an onslaught of visual delights, spellbinding sounds and a story that emerges from our past but still reaches into the depths of every man's soul.Performance wise Shah Rukh Khan is the life of the movie.
Asoka could not only be Shah Rukh's greatest screen incarnation, but also a clear message to international cinema of his screen presence, dedication and mastery of his art.Kareena Kapoor, as the warrior princess who acts as sister and mother figure to Arya, a cautious then enduring lover to Asoka and emerges as someone on her own personal journey, in search of her identity and sense of belonging while juggling her duties, heart and mind in a three ring circus, Kareena gives what is by far her finest performance to date.
I would have loved to have seen more of the underwater scene in ROSHNI SE - innovative and full of grace and playfulness.The Baadshah (King) of Bollywood, SHAH RUKH KHAN, demonstrates his personal aura of majesty and magnetism- classy, gutsy, seductive and intense, he IS Asoka incarnate: imperious, vengeful or romantic, .every move and emotion delivering a message of Grace, Truth and Sincerity straight to the viewer's heart.More famously known for his exuberant dancing, irrepressible energy and audacity, Shah Rukh's flawless portrayal is so internalized and contained, with moments of chilling stillness, that it's difficult to remember any of his previous persona.
the film revolves around a real life incident of India's ancient emperor Asoke the great.the beginning of the film is simply marvelous, with the emperor Chandragupta Mauriya, renouncing the throne and advising the young prince Asoka not to use the sword.the story moves quickly onwards projecting asoka as a competent, even brilliant general but ruthless and ambitious.
his screen presence is immense, and once he is on, there is nothing else you can help notice.Kareena kapoor is good, as the destitute yet haughty princess Kaurwaki.Supporting castes are excellent, with a special mention of Danny denzongpa, who acts his part to perfection.the conclusion of the film is in the massive battle of Kalinga.
This incredible film really needs to be seen on the big screen to be appreciated fully.Santosh Sivan, the gifted cinematographer best known in the USA for the art-house hit "The Terrorist," and in India for his work with director Mani Ratnam, switches gears completely.
In fact, I read that the war sequence was the largest of its kind ever filmed in the history of Indian cinema.Asoka, a little-known figure in the West, was a bloodthirsty maniac who became a bastion for peace and tolerance through Buddhism in the 3rd century, ce.
Don't get me wrong, Shahrukh Khan is a great actor and he may be the king of bollywood but he can not potray some one like Asoka on the screen.
Okay, otherwise, she wasn't very compelling as an actress...but "she looked good!" Overall, I really thought highly of this movie for it's technical and artistic content and I would recommend either watching it on the big screen or on DVD to really appreciate the best aspects.
there isnt one...just the same as there is no dramatic kudos to any of the developments in the film, except perhaps to satisfy producers/distributors whims and demands.direction...santosh sivan has clearly been watching and learning from ang lee and ridley scott amongst others and still manages to direct some of the most cack-handed action ever...could martial arts fight scenes be any more pedestrian?i wont go on...but suffice it to say, i sat thru this more easily than the typical poor boy meets rich girl, whose father is a corrupt business type...his best friend dies at the end and he gets the girl type hindi film, but pls, dont think of this as original and ground breaking!.
From someone of Indian origin who grew up with the story of King Ashoka and his renunciation of war (after kicking everyone's butt and stretching his empire from the Southern tip of India to Afghanistan and Burma) this film was pretty disappointing.Reasons to be glum:1- The mass fight scenes were....crap.
Asoka took the hackneyed old story of love against the odds seen in so many Indian films and transposed it onto the life of historical figure without adding any depth of understanding and merely distracting from the a truly awesome real storyReasons to be happy1- Some of the cinematography was good, bits were excellent2- Shahrukh Khan and the guy who played his brother played their parts as well as could be expected given the scriptThis in no way is a Crouching Tiger, a Braveheart or a Gladiator - it fails against all these films and the only real reason I can find is a lack of imagination and courage in portraying a true story that, if portrayed properly, would kick the crap out of all of them..
I hope that continued screenings of this film will prove to all that we have a real miracle at hand here, easily ranking with Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon as one of the great tragic romances buried in an epic as yet ever made.The almost hallucinogenic visionary quality of the visuals, the remarkable and forceful savvy of the actors, the profound and unsounded depths of the script, the world importance of the subject matter, and the audaciously complex interweaving of all these elements - if this is not the film you were looking for, this is still the film you need to see.When we have time again to choose the classics, this will be high on the list..
The singing also seemed poorly synched with the dancing in all but the first song, "San Sanana."  If the technical part of the song sequences could be cleaned up, this film would flow much more smoothly.I'm a big fan of Shahrukh Khan, especially his more dramatic roles, so this movie was sure to be a hit with me!
Asoka took on similar romantic proportions, in that at its core it has a love story to tell, rather than one focused on waging war throughout the lands, although this was touched upon in the latter half of the film, stemming from a death of his heart, and the embracing of a rage against the known world.The first half introduces us to the star-crossed lovers, and the usual boy-meets-and-woos formula.
So you have set up a Romeo & Juliet circumstance, where descendants of the royal households fall in love, and also have to deal with the rubbish politics back home which bays for their blood.The film paints a very emotional Asoka that Shah Rukh Khan excelled in bringing out, especially when three women in his life played an important part in his life-changing decisions, such as his mom's involvement for him to see the outside world, Kaurwaki in being his first true, and unattainable love that he yearns and pines for, and his eventual wife Devi (Hrishitaa Bhatt), a Buddhist who would be instrumental in his embracing of the religion after coming to his senses in the aftermath of his most brutal war waged just because of his insatiable appetite for more territory, though of course done in the name of uniting India.But with romance out of the way, SRK also showed off the result of his training in the numerous swordfights he gets put into.
There are few of passionate (I say not enough) moments between Asoka and Princess Kaurwaki highlighted by the music sequences tossed in to balance out the brutal and savage war scenes (not to mention a smoking-hot wet scenes of Shahrukh and Kareena) making the film worthwhile to watch.What raises Asoka above the usual epic drama is not only the strength of its story but power of its performances.
High-five, India.If you liked Shah Rukh Khan in this movie, and are in the mood for a good old fashioned Bollywood comedy, check out Dilwale Duhania Le Jayenge.
For a commerical bollywood film, its cinematography & art direction is the most exotic & decadent works in reccent times and it actually makes one believe that the setting was indeed the second century B.C. of Ancient India.
Though I totally don't disrespect the entire Kalinga War scene, as it is one of my favorite scenes of the movie.Performances-Shah Rukh Khan is really good, Asoka is perhaps his best performance since Mohabbatein and Hey Ram. He is especially good in the second half of the film as his character takes on some major changes and Shahrukh Khan does good justice to each transformation.
Ashoka was a great emperor of India and his contribution towards the uplift of Indian people (Hindus and Bhuddists) is an indelible trait of his towering personality but unfortunately it has not been properly projected in this historical movie.Instead, the young Ashok (icon of the Mauraya Hindu Kingdom) is depicted like a replica of the medieval uncivilized conqueror Chengez Khan.
India movies have a style of their own and one that does not always get readily accepted by mainstream western audiences.Based on the Legend of Asoka the great Indian prince this movie follows his personal journey and so should not be considered an epic.The acting and story telling ranges from fantastic to the sort of thing you would expect in an episode of Hercules or Xena.
Asoka is beautifully filmed and has a hauntingly beautiful music score, and an excellent supporting cast, particularly Ajit Kumar as Asoka's scheming half-brother Susima.I think it is a sensitive, artistic film and it's a pity that Indian audiences weren't able to accept it for what it is: a love story, not a history text..
There's a disclaimer at the beginning of "Asoka" that says that the film is not meant to be a fact-based historical retelling of the life of the great ancient Indian emperor Ashok but rather "an attempt to follow his journey."From that, we're supposed to get the impression that the filmmakers probably took a few liberties with the facts while making this film.
He meets another prince who is in exile, this one a young boy still - he also meets his sister, the original Warrior Princess, played by Kareena Kapoor.The first half of the movie plays out kind of like a fairy tale, and focusses more on Asoka's love life than events of a particularly epic or historical nature.
it's an incredibly powerful sequence emotionally too, surely one of the most impressive battles put on film.Ultimately Asoka was to become a great envoy of Buddhism and general peace and love, and the movie aims to show how he learnt the lessons in life that led him to that state.
in India ,there were became many kings who ruled over India,but the story about the king is different.he had been known as cruel prince ,but after facing many incidents .he was changed his attitude toward enemies.IT WAS ONE OF THE GREATEST MOVIES OF KINGS OF India.the performance of Shahrukh khan was awesome and songs also.the Asoka,who is placed in currency of India because of soul of peace after finishing war against state.the movie says about struggles of Asoka life and love.it was well directed.in the movie ,you could see the past of India and also learn about lifestyle of kings.the ending is full of thrill.and also touch to our heart .you may be made fan of the actor after watching it..
It is a timeless movie which interests and charms and fills in gaps about a little known historical personality in a sympathetic and believable way.Shah Rukh Khan is superb as the young Asoka particularly in the Magadha scenes and as emperor.
Historical movies have been made before with some imaginary portions added for entertainment and with even the basic fictional story set against the backdrop of real history, but none like this.Shah Rukh tries to tone down his dramatic style of acting, with little effect; the audience rarely get to see the emperor behind the actor.
Asoka has lost everything he loved.He is willing to give up his life which has no purpose for him.He doesn't care about anything anymore and is in deep pain.So,to ease his pain,he returns back to his kingdom and decides to fight in battles until he is killed.But after being severely wounded and is taken cared of by a woman ,Devi.During an attempt to kill Asoka,by his brothers,Devi saves him and also losing the chance to getting married with a wealthy man.Asoka,then decides to marry her.But as his throne and army slowly slaughters and kills their way to the top,Asoka finds himself controlled by power and tends to go on until he has won everything.His sword,that once comes out,only wants blood ,has taken him to the most evil and barbaric victories in his life and Asoka still wants more.And so,begins his downfall from that.This film is Inappropriately titled.It doesn't at all focus on the title character.Instead it focuses on the love story between him and Kaurwaki.The love story is the weakest part of the film.It drags the film a lot and it's poorly executed.The film lacks focus.The love story hampers the film from being a success.This was suppose to be about Asoka ,not about the love story.It's more about Bhuvan-Kaurwaki love angle.It spends a significant amount of time developing that conventional love story and becomes the weakest point of the film.The love story is poorly conceived and leaves no effect on the audience and has no emotional impact.And that is where most of the god-awful musical numbers also pop up ,destroying the only good thing about the love angle.The film doesn't at all concentrates on the lead Character.It begins with appeal,then slows down as the lead character assumes someone else's identity and falls in love,and the film drags.Then the film takes a surprising turn and the film picks up,very slowly.And then leads us to an exciting climax with a good enough battle sequences not relying on CGI,which even if they did they couldn't have achieved perfection of the Hollywood CGI effects,and then ends with satisfaction.The film has a dark tone and feels strange at times.This is one of the better bollywood films out there.It had the potential to become a really good film and it's only a handful of Bollywood films that I had appreciated.But it lacks character focus ,with unappealing love story which makes this film an Above average film.A noble effort nevertheless.The problem lies largely in the plot.I really wanted to like this film but then again, it's bollywood.It does however ,sustains an intriguing atmosphere throughout,with visual flair.I really hated the musical numbers which ruined my mood.They served no purpose to the film at all,an absolutely sluggish move.There is a good score as well and impressive cinematography.Shah Rukh Khan was really fit for the role as Asoka,but since the Character was half-baked,he doesn't get the chance to show his talent,in which I think he could've nailed it if the character were better written.Kareena Kapoor is annoying and gives a lame performance until she gets all heated up towards the end.She is a waste of talent and is only there for the half-hearted love story.A good attempt by the Director who gave the film a distinctive look.It's stylized but it has its moments.Too bad ,films like these from Bollywood only come once in a while.Well,it's worth watching once..
After realising the terror his wars had caused among the indian population he became a buddhist and lived a peaceful life.the film uses this story to portray shah rukh khan in one of his best performances ever.
Asoka, another good Shahrukh Khan & Kareena Kapoor film.
Peppy songs.If the director had only chosen some other actor for the role of Asoka and someone who CAN play the part of Kaurwaki like may be Prity Zinta than Kareena then maybe the movie would have gained a little audience.