1-World Festival of Foreign Films
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"Asoka"
2001
Directed by Santosh Sivan

Legend and history are blurred in this spectacular telling of the life of Asoka, third emperor of the Mauryan Dynasty. Asoka rises from exuberant youth to become a brutal, unmerciful warrior-monarch. His life takes a monumental turn when he renounces his violent past and works to spread Buddhism's message of love. "It is a big, brash and deeply enjoyable Bollywood epic starring Shah Rukh Khan. 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" (Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian). Hindi with English subtitles.  173 minutes.