ALBUM: Ashoka

The fact is that the film, although a historical flick does not authentically depict the life and times of the emperor in entirety, but just a fragment of it. Sivan seems to have taken a lot of cinematic liberty to intersperse the commercial ingredients in the otherwise average story.

Shah Rukh Khan slips deftly under the garb of a power-hungry emperor and plays his part with total enthusiasm. His character is not static but keeps growing throughout the story.

Kareena Kapoor, who is turning out as Bollywood’s latest sensation displays her emotive range playing Kaurwaki. Although the director could have comfortably done away with those skimpy and revealing dresses that look completely forced and are no doubt a (welcome) distraction for the viewers.

Danny Denzongpa is wasted in a marginal role although Rahul Dev leaves an impact more so because he gels into the role of Senapati.

As far as film’s music goes Anu Malik's tunes and orchestration are a mite too modern to match the film’s period theme. The good thing is that all the songs have been picturised quite well by Sivan who literally brings about a riot of colors on the screen.

Overall, “Asoka” is a film aimed at a niche audience and won’t really appeal to the masses.