A young Prince Asoka works to perfect his skills in battle and also deals with family conflict. During a struggle with one of his step-brothers, his mother urges Asoka to escape to stay alive. While away, Asoka meets Kaurwaki and falls in love, but must use his skills as a warrior to protect her. A dangerous and heartbreaking web of conspiracy follows, which leads Asoka to embrace a Buddhist path.
Cinematography
Santosh Sivan's painterly battle scenes look like moving Mughal miniatures.
Acting
SRK's wild-eyed descent into bloodlust before his Buddha glow-up.
Costume
Ancient Indian drip that makes togas look basic.
Director
Santosh Sivan
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The film was originally 4 hours long; Shah Rukh Khan personally financed the massive Kalinga battle sequence when producers balked at the budget.
Released shortly after 9/11, the film's anti-war message and Buddhist conversion narrative resonated differently than intended—some critics found the timing eerie.
IN
