This movie depicts the personal life of Samrat Chandragupt, his trials, tribulations, and frustrations, as well as the challenges he faces to reclaim his kingdom; face-off the threat from Sikander; enlist the assistance of the Yunani Greeks; his love for Helena; and be forced to make a decision of beheading his own mother as per the laws of the land.
Production
1958 practical effects for ancient warfare—charmingly ambitious.
Acting
Nirupa Roy's tragic mother energy could end you.
Director
Babubhai Mistri
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This was one of the first Indian films to dramatize Chandragupt Maurya's Greek alliance, reflecting 1950s nationalist interest in pre-colonial Indian power.
Director Babubhai Mistri was actually famous for special effects—he pioneered trick photography in Indian cinema, which explains the ambitious but clunky battle scenes.
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