Period films are always difficult to make. And because it’s a period film, the expectations from such a film increases ten-fold! After Mughal-e-Azam, all other attempts at making period films have not got the desired results except maybe one or two movies. So finally, when a director tries to make a period film in 21 century hip-hop-cool culture, the expectations are going to be high! Lagaan, didn’t disappoint one bit, but now the next period film released Asoka, one cant be so sure. Well, here is what I thought about the movie!!
Storyline
First of all, Asoka was not meant to be a true story, and its just a fictionalized account of his life. It tells the story of a young prince Asoka, who is forced to abandon his own kingdom by his mother. In his hideout, he falls in love with a beautiful woman, and she, after some deliberation falls for him too. They also secretly marry. After some misunderstandings, Asoka believes his love is dead. He returns home to his kingdom a changed man; a man full of hatred. Things go worse for him when his mother too dies, and then his step brother too tries to attack him. After much blood and wrath, Asoka finally becomes the emperor, and goes on a wild goose spree of conquering kingdoms. When one of his step brother takes refuge in Kalinga, he wages war on the kingdom, and what followed was a war that is still remembered today. Asoka in his moment of victory realizes that all the blood he drew meant nothing, as he has no one to actually share with. Add to that he sees his love still alive fighting against him. It is at that point Asoka throws the sword and embraces Buddhism. The movie ends just there.
What works for the movie
1.AWESOME cinematography! Santosh Sivan is at his best in this movie. The scenic backdrop of the movie have been capture indeed brilliantly. Add to that the picturization of two songs Raat Ka Nasha, and Roshni Se being amazing…the latter one is breathtaking. Its hard to believe he shot the movie in India.
2.Kareena Kapoor as Kaurwaki looks amazing! She looks sensous every bit in the movie…and oozes raw appeal! One could spend the whole movie looking at her in her costumes. She is certainly a highlight of the movie.
3.The brilliant opening sequence of the movie, when the child Asoka throws the sword in air! Man, its one great piece of direction in that scene.
4.The War Sequence at the end was very well shot. It was devoid of any special effects, and looked like a normal war with reasonable amount of people..instead of some Hollywood-style films showing a huge platoon at war!!
5.Acting of Shah Rukh Khan. I must admit, he for once acted well, and remained within his constraints. Unlike his previous releases, this movie has some scenes which he really excels.
6.The music. Its great. For more information on music of the film, read my review on the same!!!
What doesn’t work for the movie
1.The lethargic pace of the movie is a big downer. The movie goes well over 3 hours, when it could have just finished in 2 and half hours. The extra minutes really test the patience of the viewer!
2.Santosh Sivan always tried to make a fiction account of Asoka. But in doing so, he got lost himself in the romance of Asoka and Kaurwaki, which takes too much time in the movie. The chemistry between them really doesn’t jell at some points in the movie. Also, the part of the movie where Asoka and Kaurwaki looks straight out of a normal Hindi movie. There is no novelty, and the director uses the same tried and tested formula in the story line, which really is a bore.
3.The end of the movie is pretty abrupt and leaves a lot of things un-answered. We are not told what happens to Kaurwaki or his second wife in the end. Its just told that he becomes a Buddhist saint.
4.Also, it is to be noted that Asoka is remembered
for what he did AFTER the war, and hence it would have been appropriate if the director had spent some 10-12 minutes showing what Asoka accomplished after the war, instead of leaving it there.
5.The screenplay of the movie is not coherent. The film shifts focus between one event and another rather abruptly, and leaves a lot on the viewer to understand. I think this is a bad thing for the movie.
6.The slapstick comedy was just not required. All the comedy should have not been there in such a movie dealing with a serious subject. Also, atleast 2 songs which have just been put for commercial success should be removed, as they don’t mean a thing in the movie and just look misplaced.
And lastly what didn’t work at all for the movie was Asoka himself. Though Shah Rukh Khan acts really well, its only him we see on screen. The character of Asoka never comes within him. I am sure, he was the best choice for the movie, but Shah Rukh’s persona out persons Asoka and that is where the movie fails. The character of Asoka should have been shown with more grit and majestic. Also, the direction of the movie could have been better…and it would have added to the effect of the movie.
In spite of all the pitfalls in the movie I still rate this movie 4 stars, because of the attempt made in this genre. It is commendable, that the director thought about the movie set in 300 B.C and very nearly manages to make a great movie. Its definitely a one time worth watching movie, and isn’t as bad as people make it out to be. Do see Asoka, if not for the story telling, then for the awesome cinematography by Santosh Sivan.
Happy viewing!