Director: Santosh Sivan
Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Rahul Dev
Few actors in Bollywood are as beloved as Shah Rukh Khan. Ever since his rise toward recognition in the 1990’s, Khan has become one of the greatest actors in the Indian film industry. Whether it is star-crossed lovers, gangsters or doomed superheroes, Khan has proven he can portray many characters. Arguably, Khan’s finest strength as an actor has always been his charisma. He has often been of those rare actors with the abilities to use his charisma to attract audiences to the theatres. Through his abilities to play characters which prove to be compelling, Khan has created a legacy that’s lasting. Known as the Badshah of Bollywood, Khan has stood the test of time as a great icon in Indian Cinema. Despite reaching the ages of retirement, Khan hasn’t lost his passions for making engaging entertainment. An icon in India, Khan has become a bold actor whose movies commonly attract audiences to the Cinema. Throughout his long-lasting career, Khan has appeared in several unforgettable movies which are definitely without a doubt worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Khan and adore all films which he has made in his career. However, “Asoka” absolutely stands out as being his most epic film. Released in 2001, Santosh Sivan’s movie offered a powerful tribute to a medieval Indian prince. Packed with strong production, engaging storytelling and bold acting, it’s one of the best Bollywood movies ever made about war. At the centre of it all is an excellent performance by Shah Rukh Khan, who portrays a medieval warrior that admires kingdoms. Ultimately, what makes “Asoka” a Bollywood classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most Bollywood movies, the film tackles strong themes that everyone will relate to. A breathtaking Bollywood war film, there are many strong reasons why “Asoka” is worth watching.
Set in ancient India, “Asoka” tells the story of a brave prince with charisma. Shah Rukh Khan portrays Emperor Ashoka, a powerful Indian prince that seeks to guide kingdoms in ancient India. Ashoka has always had a thirst for power seeking to become a strong leader. However, Ashoka’s life dramatically changes when he falls in love with a female warrior. Kaurwakj (Kareena Kapoor Khan) is a strong female warrior with dreams of her own. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Ashoka wonders if it’s truly possible to become a leader. Faced with a dilemma, Ashoka questions whether he can become a warrior in India.
Santosh Sivan is a newcomer towards tales of medieval warriors. Before he produced “Asoka”, Sivan had never made a medieval movie before. It marked the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture struggles experienced by medieval warriors in Indian history but he succeeded immensely. Using breathtaking cinematography, Sivan captures a medieval prince embarking upon a journey to find his identity. Evoking Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator”, Sivan effectively uses handheld camera to capture medieval warriors that experience danger. For instance, handheld camerawork elevates the battle scene. During this tense scene, Ashoka prepares for battles through training along warriors. Through captivating handheld camerawork, Sivan constructs a portrait of princes that’s definitely engaging. Handheld camera is a complex technique to use in movies. As Farah Khan’s “Main Hoon Na” proved, handheld camera elevates films about army generals. Nevertheless, it works extremely in this movie. Using breathtaking visuals, Sivan captures hardships medieval warriors are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Asoka” that merits appreciation is its production. From technical perspectives, it’s one of the best Bollywood movies which you will ever see. Evoking Mel Gibson’s “Braveheart”, Sivan effectively uses costumes to capture the lives of warriors that have a brave heart. Throughout the film, Ashoka’s costumes showcase his transformation into a strong medieval warrior. For instance, costumes enhance the Roshni Se song. During this unforgettable scene, Ashoka engages in a romantic encounter with Kaurwaki which showcases his identity. Using captivating costumes, Sivan crafts a portrait of Indian warriors that’s engaging. Furthermore, the musical score is extraordinary. It gives the movie an intense atmosphere capturing a heavy burden that medieval warriors bear. Through strong production, Sivan captures tensions that medieval warriors in India are facing.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Asoka” is an Indian medieval movie that’s engaging. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses silence to capture hardships which medieval warriors in India experience. For instance, silence enhances the kingdom farewells scene. During this heartfelt scene, Ashoka bids farewell to his kingdom in state of silence. Through silence, Sivan creates a portrait of medieval warriors that audiences can relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in Bollywood movies. As Karan Johar’s “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham” demonstrated, silence enhances Bollywood movies about broken families. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through a strong screenplay, Sivan caprices the hardships experienced by medieval warriors in India which face a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Shah Rukh Khan delivers one of his finest performances as Ashoka. Khan achieved appreciation for playing romantic heroes in Bollywood movies. With “Asoka”, however, he took upon his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a medieval warrior in Indian history but he succeeds immensely. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him in the past before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most underrated role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, bravery and strong personality of a warrior facing tensions. It’s a powerful performance from one of the finest actors that’s working in Bollywood today.
While the film is mainly a strong showcase for Shah Rukh Khan, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of praise. Kareena Kapoor is captivating, capturing charisma of a young woman that falls in love with a bold warrior causing a dilemma in India. Danny Denzongpa is dazzling, capturing a fierce personality of a medieval warrior that faces adversity. Lastly, Rahul Dev merits praise. As a fierce warrior, he is unforgettable.
Finally, “Asoka” will earn praise of everyone for capturing warriors in India. Unlike most Bollywood movies, it discusses bold themes everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes including ambition, power and grief which will definitely resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with a history of Indian warriors to appreciate the movie. Therefore, “Asoka” is one of those rare Indian movies about warriors everyone would adore.
Fans of Shah Rukh Khan would absolutely adore “Asoka” and so would audiences that seek exhilarating entertainment. A dazzling Indian historical drama, it celebrated a bold actor with charisma in India.
Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking Bollywood movie about a medieval warrior that seeks to find identity in ancient history, it’s a riveting reminder of an Indian actor that has built an enduring legacy through his abilities to portray bold characters in memorable movies audiences love dearly.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 