Asoka(2001)
Asoka is a 2001 Indian Hindi-language epic historical drama film directed and co-written by Santosh Sivan. It stars Shah Rukh Khan as the titular emperor, alongside Kareena Kapoor, Rahul Dev, Danny Denzongpa, and Hrishitaa Bhatt, with Ajith Kumar making a special appearance. The film chronicles the early life of Emperor Asoka of the Maurya Empire, from his youth as a general in Takshashila to his bloody conquest of Kalinga and subsequent transformation. It blends romance, political intrigue, and large-scale battle sequences. The film was selected for screening at the Venice Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival, where it received positive reviews. It won the Filmfare Award for Best Cinematography for Santosh Sivan. Despite critical acclaim, the film was a box-office failure in India. It was later released as a five-episode miniseries on StarPlus.
Quick Facts
- Streaming on
- Netflix, Sun NXT
- Theatrical Release
- 26 October 2001
- Director
- Santosh Sivan
- Language
- Hindi
- Runtime
- 2h 55m
- Rating
- 5.9/10
Storyline
Asoka, a brave young prince of the Maurya Empire, is forced to leave his home after a fight with his jealous half-brother. Disguised as a common man, he falls in love with Kaurwaki, a princess from the rival kingdom of Kalinga. But a cruel lie convinces him she is dead. Broken and angry, Asoka becomes a ruthless emperor. He declares war on Kalinga, not knowing his beloved is its queen.
“A warrior. A lover. A legend.”
Film Details
Parental Guide
Where to Watch
Vibe & Tags
Cast & Crew
Reunion Meter
Frequent partnerships reunited for Asoka
Cast reunions in this film: Shahrukh Khan & Kareena Kapoor (4 films together), and Santosh Sivan & Shahrukh Khan (3 films together).
Trivia
- The film was shot in three languages at once: Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu, with Shah Rukh Khan dubbing his own lines for all versions.
- The battle scenes used over 2,000 extras and were filmed in the deserts of Rajasthan to look like ancient India.
- Director Santosh Sivan is a noted cinematographer, and the film was shot entirely on location, not in studios.
- The film's budget was around 350 million rupees, making it one of the most expensive Indian films of its time.
- Shah Rukh Khan performed many of his own stunts, including sword fights, without a body double.
- The film's music was composed by Anu Malik, but the background score was by Sandeep Chowta, known for his dark, atmospheric work.
- Despite its scale, the film was not a major box office success in India, though it found a stronger audience internationally.