Asoka [DVD]

Asoka [2001] [DVD]The film directed by India's number one Cinematographer Santosh Sivan is a delight to the eyes. Santosh Sivan is from Kerala, my home state. He has earlier worked for several Malayalam films. When he decided to make the story of Emperor Ashoka(correct way to spell), there was a lot of un-necessary protest from various sections in India. The various political parties raised a big hue and cry because according to them, a film on Ashoka is glorifying Buddhism, which was taboo to many. Also they were of the opinion that the concept of the Emperor in the minds of the people would be totally altered by the song and dance ritual of all Bollywood films. They criticized that it would demean the name of the revered Emperor. Santosh Sivan had to change the spelling of the title from "ASHOKA" to "ASOKA" conveying that this film is based on some other king or emperor or whatever. Another group of politicians was angry because a Muslim actor was to portray the emperor and not a Hindu. The film had to pass through severe censorship before it could be released. The final product silenced all the skeptics. The movie went on to make quite a decent record at the box-office though one could not call it a HIT. The songs were all pictured in lovely lush locations and were a treat both to the eyes and ears. Shah rukh khan gives a very controlled portrait of the emperor. Kareena Kapoor the sex symbol of Bollywood also gives a marvelous performance that proved to her critics that she was not only a good-looker but a good-actor as well. The expressions that fleet across her face convey all the innermost trials and pains of her character. Really Superb. The DVD is very good in the sense that it comes with English subtitles for those unfamiliar with Hindi, and the sound is awesome. It has to be seen in a home theater with excellent sound system to give the best results. One will surely be awed at the battle scenes which have been filmed with lots of men and beasts alike. Right in good old Hollywood tradition. A must see DVD both for any Indians who have not had the chance to watch it on the big screen and also to everybody in countries abroad for the sheer spectacle of it.

Classic. I dont speak Tamil but watched with my men in Kuwait and loved it. Had to buy wish I could get dubbed in Rnglish.

Happy with this DVD

It is a good film but takes time.

Most of what people know about Asoka is pure fantasy. For example, it is widely believed that Ashoka, out of disgust and sorrow over all the blood he shed, renounces violence and becomes a Buddhist. The details about this, however, comes from text written several hundred years after his death. Historic fact is that he probably did not become a Buddhist, and he became the model emperor in order to peacefully consolidate his conquests. If he had renounced violence and was sorry for what he had done, why did he not return the land he had taken? Any good history book will clarify this.Now, about the film:The film Asoka takes the fantasy, and fantasizes about it, creating a whole new level of fantasy, which is the story the film follows. It is pure Bollywood melodrama: boy meets girl, they fall in love, they get separated, boy thinks girl dies, boy eventually remarries, invades her country, and fights her army in battle. Okay, the last bit doesn't fit any of the normal formulas. But, change the clothing, and it's a standard Bollywood film.The movie is, emphatically, not "as good as Gladiator" or Braveheart. The battle scenes are disappointing. Apparantly, rolling burning logs down a hillside will defeat an entire army. Well, of course it would do if they all stand there screaming and falling about the place, as they do in Asoka. There are amazing lapses in storyline continuity. For example, Asoka is lying at death's door. Then he's up and hunting. Then he's back in his sick bed and unaware of what's going on around him. Switches from day to night and back to day again seem to occur within a few minutes (depending on which lighting is more dramatic for the shot). Taking Bollywood standards into account, it is not nearly as good a historic melodrama as "Mughal-e-Azam", for example.Having said all of that, if you accept that almost nothing of the story is at all factual, and that it is a "heightened emotional drama", as is the usual case with Indian films, and if you accept that continuity is not a priority in a Bollywood film, then Asoka is quite an enjoyable film. The story has its own interest, and the song and dance bits are fascinating. The cinematography is quite good by Bollywood standards. So, judging it purely on the basis of its own story, and by the expectations of a Bollywood film, I give it four stars.If you can enjoy Bollywood films, then the four stars apply to you. If you can't step into their world and mindset, then you won't enjoy this one.

Brilliant film!

Always worth to watch it, and to have it at hand. It's a great movie, on a great real personality. Still a movie to watch and watch again.

Its a movie to cherishSharukh Khan looks goodthe role suits himKareena looks ok though not as beautiful as expected