Ajay se Ashoka tak!

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Posted: 18 years ago

Ajay se Ashoka tak!
By: Upala KBR
May 7, 2007

Aiming for a hattrick: Ajay Devgan

B-Town inhabitants have this strange fascination for historical epics. After Shah Rukh Khan's turn as Emperor Asoka, Ajay Devgan will now wear the great Indian Emperor's crown in Raj Kumar Santoshi's as-yet-untitled period film.

It's a biggie

Santoshi, who is currently finishing post-production work on his upcoming film Halla Bol (also starring Devgan), says, "We haven't finalised the title as yet, but yes, Ajay has agreed to play Ashoka.

It will be a mega-budget film along the lines of the Hollywood film Gladiator, on the life and times of Ashoka. Our research on Ashoka is complete and we hope to roll in August this year. We expect to complete the film in one schedule by December 2007.

As for Ajay, he is very excited about the film. In fact, he says this script is by far the best he had heard in all these years."

The actress who plays Ashoka's wife hasn't been finalised yet, adds Santoshi. "She has to be a mix of Cleopatra and Delilah — a combination of sensuality and innocence.

Though I have spoken to some established actresses, I am not sure if I want to cast a known name."

Relevant story

Santoshi says the idea of making a film on Ashoka came to him while he was researching for another project on the Ramayana, which will begin next year.

"I read lots of historical books and stumbled upon Ashoka's story. His life is very relevant in today's times, as it deals with the violence that forced a dramatic change in Ashoka after the Kalinga war.

That's when he embraced Buddhism and non-violence. Ashoka's philosophy about peace and non-violence is the need of the hour today, and has even been referred to in books by HG Wells."

So will Ajay go bald after his character adopts Buddhism? "No. We must remember that Ashoka was also an Emperor who had to do his worldly duties."

Aiming high

Santoshi is planning a lavish set designed by Nitish Roy, and adds, "The film will be shot in the forests of India as well as Thailand, Leh, Ladakh and Laos.

We are sparing no effort to make it one of the finest and most authentic historical films on the emperor.

We are also using the finest technicians: the research and costumes has been done by Loveleen Baines, make-up is by Vikram Gaekwad, the script has been written by me and the cinematographer is Hemant Chaturvedi.

We are trying to put together pieces of history. Since Ashoka ruled thousands of years ago, history is not very clear. A lot of research had to be done."

Alag hai!

Another historical on Ashoka after Santosh Sivan's 2001 film with Shah Rukh Khan is bound to create comparisons.

But Santoshi says, "No, it will not. Our story is completely different. It starts with the Kalinga war and continues to travel through the fascinating and exciting journey of Ashoka's life, when from Chanda Ashoka he became Dharma Ashoka. It's a rare and unique storyline."

Will a period film work in today's times? Says Santoshi, "Of course it will. I have narrated the story to all my technicians and they are extremely excited about it. I believe a good film always works.

Haven't films like Gladiator and 300 been great successes too?"