Truly Majestic!. Review on Asoka

Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Kariena Kapoor, Hrishitaa Bhatt, Ajith, Danny, Rahul Dev, Master Suraj Balaje

Producer: Shah Rukh Khan and Juhi Chawla

Director: Santosh Sivan

Music:Anu Malik, Sandeep Chowta

It takes passion to compose a poem. Asoka is sheer poetry. By a passionate dreamer called Santosh Sivan. An epic, if you wish.

Asoka is based on the life of the Mauryan ruler Asoka, the Great, who ruled the Indian subcontinent in the third century B.C. He was one of the greatest emperors the world has seen. His greed for power led to the Kalinga war in which resulted in the death of over one and half lakh people. The gruesome sight on the battlefield made Asoka realize the futility of war and he transformed from a barbarian to a monk.

Taking full cinematic liberties with history, Santosh Sivan has woven a gripping tale around the transformation of a brutal slaughterer into a propagator of the highest virtue of life - peace, thereby leading the world on the path of dharma.

Young Asoka (Shah Rukh) aspires to the throne of Magadha but his father, emperor Bindusara (Gerson da Cunha) favors the rightful heir, Asoka's elder step-brother Susima (Ajith Kumar). Susima is insecure that Asoka would usurp the throne. He conspires repeatedly to murder Asoka and get him out of the way, without success. Asoka's mother Dharma begs him to go into exile in order that Asoka's life is spared in the internecine rivalry.

While in exile as a commoner, Asoka meets Kaurwaki (Kariena Kapoor). She is the princess of Kalinga in disguise, hiding from the killers of her parents. Kaurwaki and the little prince Arya (Master Suraj Balaje) are protected by the general of Kalinga army, Bheem (Rahul Dev). Asoka takes on the name of his horse, Pawan and a few encounters later, Pawan and Kaurwaki fall in love.

On the first day of their union, Asoka is forced to leave for Magadha. On his return he is told that Kaurwaki and Arya have been slayed. Lost in love, an embittered Asoka takes refuge in violence. Injured in one of his attacks, Asoka is treated by Devi (Hrishitaa Bhatt) in a Buddhist monastery. When Devi saves Asoka's life, Asoka is compelled to marry her as Devi is a Buddhist who has committed murder and no one would marry her. Devi introduces an element of dharma and peace into Asoka's life. But the murder of his mother Dharma by his brothers unleashes the monster in Asoka who takes to a slaying spree.

Desperate to take on death, Asoka trains his sight on the last unconquered kingdom - Kalinga. Meanwhile, prince Arya and Kaurwaki have taken over the administration of Kalinga. Asoka comes face to face with Kaurwaki on the battlefield sprewn with dead bodies. Asoka realizes that he has won the war but lost his humanness.

A gripping tale of love, loss and salvation, Asoka is a visual treat from one of the best cinematographer in the world. On the directorial front too, Santosh Sivan emerges triumphant. The music is catchy, but average, albeit a bit filmi. Ditto the choreography which jars with the overall flow. Audience may take a few minutes to grasp the initial development of the story but once in motion, the film takes control of the senses.

Shah Rukh's interpretation of Asoka is awesome. He leaves you spell bound with the range of emotion he displays. This could be termed as Kariena's first convincing performance. She looks ravishing and acts brilliantly. Master Suraj as the little prince is charming to say the least.

The lead cast is ably supported by Danny and Ajith Kumar who deliver the goods. The surprise package is Rahul Dev as the jealous suitor Bheem. Hrishitaa Bhatt also puts in a promising performance as the Buddhist queen caught between Chandasoka's blood-thirsty campaign and her Buddhist dharma.

Asoka lives up to the expectations and proves to be a visual treat, treading the thin line between art and commerce with a unique panache!