That will be confusion you will have about Asoka, once you
have been to this movie. Unlearn all your historical knowledge
about Asoka and then go for this movie.
The movie has got minuses and pluses.
First, the minus points. The film has its own and fair share of needless
scenes and characters. For instance, was that item number by Rajlaxmi Roy
necessary? What purpose did Johnny Lever, Raghuveer Yadav and the crude
banter they engage in serve? The love between Pawan and Kaurwaki seemed to
dwell more on the physical aspect of the relationship (the camera focuses
more on Kaurwaki’s torso than anything else). And pray what was that dream
song sequence between Pawan and Kaurwaki for? International audience, huh?
The dynamics between Susima and Ashoka could have been dealt with, with more
drama. There was no interaction shown at all between Bindusara and his sons.
The music by Anu Malik, lyrics by Anand Bakshi and Gulzar are good enough
for the album but do not go with the narrative. The songs jar.
As for the plusses, the cinematography is mind-blowing. Pardon the cliché,
but the film does remind you of Ang Lee’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
That is the confusion which
The war has been captured beautifully (ironically) with all its dead bodies,
flying limbs and morbid landscapes.
Sandeep Chowta’s background score and Abbas Tyrewala’s dialogues add up to
the plus points of the film.
Among the supporting cast, Ajit as Susima, Rahul Dev as Bheema and Hrishitaa
Bhatt as Devi play their parts competently. A special mention of the little
child star who plays Arya --precocious and innocent in right measures.
Kareina (yes, she’s the latest to jump on to the numerology bandwagon)
Kapoor looks like an enchantress. Her translucent beauty and her fiery
performance make a deadly combo. And finally, Shah Rukh Khan as Ashoka packs
a terrific punch. With his smouldering eyes and the period look, SRK seems
to have set a milestone in his career with Ashoka.