Reception
The film that relied largely on fiction and less on fact failed to please both critics and the audience alike and flopped at the box-office. However, made a few waves internationally, but turned out to be a "super dud" at the box office in India.
Variety's David Rooney states, "a sprawling widescreen historical epic laced with Bollywood musical numbers, melodramatic romance, spectacular locations and violent battle scenes. Coming on the heels of Ashutosh Gowariker's "Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India," "Asoka" provides further evidence that Bollywood is poised for wider commercial impact beyond its already substantial established niche. And while the ambling, uneconomical nature of popular Indian storytelling makes major crossover business unlikely in this case, some degree of general arthouse attention appears indicated. Khan cuts a dashing figure as a soulful hunk in the traditional Bollywood mold, while Kapoor plays ornately tattooed Kaurwaki as a lively mix of flirtatious coquette and feisty warrior woman, kind of like J. Lo meets Michelle Yeoh." Empire Magazine praised the movie gave it 4 out of 5 stars. It states,"Santosh Sivan may just be the man who provide that elusive Indian crossover hit with this rip-roaring historical adventure. The fact that Asoka was such a bloody warrior is no more ably demonstrated than when the battle scenes kick in near the end, it's like Kurosawa goes Bollywood." Peter Bradshaw of the Guardian calls the movie a big, brash and deeply enjoyable Bollywood epic. He stated "This movie's narrative gusto, its intricate, indirect eroticism - no sex, or even kissing - its lavish musical numbers and its sheer self-belief are a treat." Neil Smith describes the film "with elements of both "Gandhi" and "Braveheart", "Asoka" is a big, sprawling epic that looks every rupee it took to bring it to the screen." However, BBC's Santosh Sinha noted, "It is at this point in the film that Asoka is temporarily lost and Shahrukh Khan the actor takes over. He meets Princess Kaurwaki in the forest and then chases her around in a typically Bollywood way. He is also less convincing when, grieved by the loss of life in Kalinga, he renounces violence and vows to spread the message of peace far and wide. This comes across as melodramatic. Bollywood style, Asoka finds Kaurwaki and the young Prince Arya of Kalinga on the battlefield. Prince Arya manages a dying speech before he keels over and that breaks Asoka completely."
Read more about this topic: Asoka (2001 film)
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