Great asoka. Review on Asoka

A movie of epic proportions, that is what Asoka is going to be. A historic battle that took place in the past is now taking place on the big screen. Produced by Arclightz and Films Pvt. Limited Asoka promises to enchant the audience. The movie is directed and written by Santosh Sivan. It stars no one else but King of Bollywood Shahrukh Khan, and co-stars Kareena Kapoor, Rahul Dev, newcomer Hrishita Bhatt, and super villain Danny Denzongpa. The scene is staged in the olden days of 230 BC, a time when King’s ruled sectors of India and were mostly in constant mutiny with each other. Asoka was no different. Grandson of Chandragupt Mayura and son of King Bindusura, both of whom were also great warriors and Kings; Asoka took upon the role of King after the people noticed his skill as a warrior, his love for his subjects, and his benevolence. Still, this title didn’t come to him easily as his elder brother Susima (Ajit) also had his eye on the crown. The trouble started when Asoka got power hungry and in his pursuit of supremacy wages a small battle against Kalinga. The reason is that during the battle he comes upon Kaurwaki, the daughter of the King of Kalinga, who unfortunately was killed in the battle. With her are her younger brother and her protector, Bheema (Rahul Dev). They fall in love with each other as Asoka never reveals his true identity, nor does he ever learn hers. The story takes a turn when Asoka and Kaurwaki are separated and she goes in search of To make matters worse Asoka gets word that she is killed and realizes his life is nothing without her. As time passes on he marries another girl named Devi (Hrishita Bhatt) who loves him very much and tries to institute the teachings of Buddhism upon her fierce husband, but everything is in vain. Soon she too is killed by his brother in an accident and throws him into a wild rage as he goes on to kill all his brothers and wages a total war on Kalinga (to no fault of their own). During the battle he runs into Kaurwaki and somehow restores his faith and peace. Another major factor in Asoka coming to his senses was when his opposed (the people of Kalinga) wouldn’t give up without a fight. He did go on to overtake their kingdom but realized that it didn’t make him truly happy. It is after all these events that Asoka turns to the path of Buddhism and at the same time fulfilling his dead wife’s wish. During the time when Asoka first went into production rumors were that this movie would portray his life and in turn become a biographical movie. Even though the movie doesn’t truly do this, nor does it really define what happened during that time period; it does leave the audience feeling like a part of history which was brought out into the present. After the fop of any movie any director would wish that he himself had written the script; this director (Santosh Sivan) did just that; and what a script it is. The dialogue is excellent and keeps the audience enthralled from beginning to the end, with a couple of slow paces in between. This movie showed the warrior side of Asoka, not the side of Asoka as a King. This will please most of the younger audience as they prefer this type of drama. The older audience will feel that the movie didn’t accurately portray what really happened and left many things out. One must remember that this took place a very long time ago and it would be hard for anyone to do complete justice to Asoka’s history. The director should be applauded for the content that was put on this film. Shahrukh Khan was simply unbelievable as no actor could have portrayed Asoka with such enthusiasm or charisma. His look in the movie was amazing. The scenes with him raging in battle to the scenes with him falling in love shows how easily Shahrukh can contrast his character. Kareena Kapoor also did a good job for her role as she did have the look of a young girl from the olden days. Hrishita Bhatt played her short role of Asoka’s wife well and is sure to obtain more roles after this film. The musical score of this film is better than expected as the tunes ‘Raat Ka Nasha’ and ‘Roshni Se’ are melodious. The picturization in the song ‘San Sanana’ is excellent. The theme music for this film is haunting as it gives the audience the effect that they are in the battlefield themselves. The prize of best song goes to ‘O Re Kanchi’ as it is melodious as well and glorifying. The cinematography was beautiful and the sets amazing, the choreography of the battles was also well done but this part could have been done better to give the audience a better effect of the battles. Another small termite in this film is the lack of comedy even though Johnny Lever makes a small cameo appearance; but then this film wasn’t meant to be a comedy. Overall this movie will run to the top of the box office charts and will stay there for a while. Anyone will appreciate the work and effort put into this film. It also will give the audience a proud feeling knowing that India had heroes such as Asoka, a man who went from spurts of rage to our symbol of peace.