Asoka (Region Free)

This film for me was the best film of 2001 (joint with k3G).

I felt that this film was unique to other bollywood films and was "different" in the true sense of the word. - Yeh sure it still had songs, wasn`t historically accurate either BUT it was a bollywood film made on a hollywood scale, with top-notch acting, brilliantly choreographed war scenes (not exaggerated like the usual dtuff from bollywood), and emotional impact that i have not felt in a film since KKHH or Fiza, there are scenes in this film which will make even the toughest of us want to cry!
I won`t give too much away about the storyline - It follows the life of emperor asoka from him going into hiding, his change in character and finally the war with kalinga. It is truly diffewrent to the love sotries we see released every day even tohugh it has romantic elements in it.
I loved the fact that every aspect of this film reeks of style and pinasch - every scene;every dialogue;every actor/actress has an impact on the audience.
WARNING SKIP NEXT TEN POINTS IF U HAVE NOT SEEN FILM
Some scenes stand out in my memory:
1) kareena in san sannanna song
2)Hirisha Bhatt after she stabs the assasin
3)Sharukh when he covers himself in ashes
4)Sharukh flashbacks of kareena
5)Sharukhs mom being killed
6)Sharukh in the bath
7)Kareena in the war sequence when she sees sharukh
8)Kareena finding out she was adopted
9)The climax showing hte devastation of the war
10) THE ENTIRE WAR SEQUENCE

The acting was superb all round including all the supporting cast. However, i feel jonny lever character ws unneccessary and shud have been deleted.
Sharukh Khan is Magnificent as the emperor asoka and it is impossible to imagine anyone else doing as much credit to the role. He instills so much emotion in the audience that we cry along with him. The fight/war scenes are spectacular to watch and his every facial expression tells us he is a pro. His transformation from everyday bloke to a "nutcase" intent on killing evryone in kalinga is also mind blowing.
Kareena Kapoor is Just as good as Sharukh. She proves here that she is also a PRO, and looks as if she has been in the industry foir sountless years. She is even better than Sharukh in some of the fight scenes (she holds a sword better too!) She looks absolutely stunning, and looks like a dream.
Hrisha Bhatt also imopressed in her small but attention grabbing role. Especially her facial expressions. SHe is also stnningly beautiful too.

ASOKA IS A BRILLIANT FILM NOT TO BE MISSED BY ANYONE WHO APPRECIATES "REAL INDIAN CINEMA"

A good movie that is a little different from mainstream indian cinema. This film focuses on the life of the ruthless mass murderer who went on to become asoka the great. The film tries to show the events which led him to such violent behaviour. On the disc cover it says it was to extend the borders of his empire but the film provides other reasons, none of which are at all justifyable. The film was at times entertaining and interesting but overall, there are many things left unexplained. It would have been better if they showed his life after all this went down because that was when he became the great legend. Or they could have shown both sides. The film does drag on a bit. The songs are pretty cool and the locales are breathtaking. Shah Rukh performs well as the emperor asoka but is limited to the script.

The picture is an anamorphic widescreen presentation. The picture is very sharp and detailed. For a movie that is nearly 3 hours long and has extras it is very good. There are minor dust marks and scratches on the print which shouldnt have been there as this is a new release.

The DD 5.1 sound is spot on, really dynamic, crisp and clear. There are a few extras which is rare for a hindi movie. But they are limited to 2 making of documentaries which are short and focus much on advertising the movie.

Overall a very good dvd for an average hindi movie. This is now part of the metrodome budget selection and at time of writing it is £4.49 at play so at that price it is definetly worth buying because renting it would cost about £3 anyway.