Asoka (film)

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Asoka

Directed by	Santosh Sivan
Produced by	Shahrukh Khan, Juhi Chawla
Written by	Santosh Sivan
Starring	Shahrukh Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Ajith Kumar, Milind Soman
Music by	Anu Malik
Distributed by	Sony Music
Release date(s)	October 26, 2001
Running time	155 mins
Language	Hindi
IMDb profile

Asoka is a 2001 Bollywood film, a historical drama. It is a largely fictional version of the life of the Indian emperor Ashoka, of the Maurya dynasty, who ruled much of South Asia from 273 BCE to 232 BCE. The film was directed by Santosh Sivan and stars Shah Rukh Khan as Ashoka and Kareena Kapoor as Kaurwaki, a princess of Kalinga. Tamil star Ajith made a special appearance as Susima, brother of Asoka. The screenplay was written by Santosh Sivan and Saket Chaudhary and the dialogue by Abbas Tyrewala. It was originally released as Ashoka The Great in India. The Tamil release title is Samrat Ashoka. The film was produced by Shahrukh Khan's production company Dreamz Unlimited.

1 Plot synopsis
2 Awards
3 AIFA Award
4 Reaction
5 Trivia
6 External links

[edit] Plot synopsis

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

The film embroiders on several episodes in the life of the historical Asoka, an early Indian ruler. In the film, prince Asoka falls in love with the beautiful princess Kaurwaki. When he believes her dead, he falls into despair and becomes a vicious, brutal conqueror. However, he has married a lovely Buddhist healer, and she plants the seed of his eventual conversion to Buddhism and righteous rule - however, her role in his conversion to Buddhism is not given the same prominence as the memory of Kaurwaki.

[edit] Awards

Wins
- 2002 International Indian Film Academy Awards
  - Award for Technical Excellence: Best cinematography, Santosh Sivan
- 2002 Filmfare Awards:
  - Best cinematography Santosh Sivan

The film received a further four Filmfare nominations, including Best Film and Best Actress for Kareena Kapoor.

[edit] AIFA Award

Critic Best Actor Shahrukh Khan Asoka 2001

[edit] Reaction

The movie was criticized for its derogatory portrayal of the emperor and the emphasis on Kaurwaki's role in bringing him to Buddhism (historically, Asoka's Buddhist queen, Devi, had a greater impact on him - Kaurwaki was in fact a fisherwoman). It was however praised for the performances by the lead actors, the spectacular visuals, cinematography and the battle scenes in the climax. At the box office however the film failed to make an impact.[1].

It was released in Thailand as Asoke Maharaj (Thai: อโศกมหาราช) (Emperor Asoka the Great)[[2]].

[edit] Trivia

The elaborate final battle scene employed over six thousand extras.
Some of the actors portraying warriors in the movie were masters of Kalari, who used their expertise. They were the only ones to use real weapons in the filming.
Shah Rukh Khan originally requested that Aishwarya Rai be cast opposite him but Sivan picked Kareena Kapoor because she had not previously been paired with Khan.