Aśoka (2001)

In the grand Empire of Magadha, circa 260 BC, lies a saga of passion, power, and transformation. Prince Ashoke, portrayed by Shahrukh Khan, stands next in line for the throne, yet he is ensnared in a perilous web spun by his power-hungry brothers, led by the malevolent Susima. Heeding his mother's plea for safety, Ashoke absconds from the palace's gilded cage to seek refuge in the wild. Under the guise of a commoner named Pawan, Ashoke's life intertwines with the fierce and beautiful Princess Kaurwaki, played by Kareena Kapoor, and her valiant brother, Prince Aryan. A clandestine love blossoms between Ashoke and Kaurwaki, their identities veiled under the cloak of anonymity. However, the call of duty from Magadha echoes through the wild, pulling Ashoke back to the turmoil he left behind. Upon his return, the nefarious Bheema shatters Ashoke's heart with news of Kaurwaki and Arya's supposed demise. A further blow comes when his mother is slain by one of Susima's men, catapulting Ashoke into a vortex of rage and vengeance. He swears to avenge his mother's death by annihilating his treacherous brothers, sparing only the elusive Sugatra who flees to the Kingdom of Kalinga. In the midst of this turmoil, Ashoke encounters Devi, a compassionate woman of the Buddhist faith who nurses him back to health. Their union leads to a pregnancy, inciting jealousy and hatred among Ashoke's step-brothers, who plot to extinguish their unborn competition. Their plans are thwarted by Ashoke's mother, who meets her untimely death instead, further fueling Ashoke's thirst for revenge. Determined to hunt down the fleeing Sugatra, Ashoke seeks the cooperation of the rulers of Kalinga. His request is met with refusal, provoking him to declare a ruthless war, vowing to raze Kalinga to the ground. Unbeknownst to him, the queen of Kalinga wears a familiar face - Kaurwaki, alive and stronger than ever. As Ashoka's warpath scorches through Kalinga, he is confronted with the harrowing reality of his actions. Amidst the ashes of destruction, he realizes that he has not built an empire, but merely a graveyard of his own making. This brutal revelation leads to a profound transformation, prompting Ashoke to trade his sword for peace, choosing to spread love and the teachings of Buddhism henceforth. The tale of Prince Ashoke is a riveting journey from an heir to the throne to a warrior, and finally, to a beacon of peace.

Aśoka is an action movie featuring Shah Rukh Khan.

Aśoka is currently streaming on Netflix, Netflix basic with Ads and Sun Nxt.

It is also possible to buy Aśoka on Apple TV, Google Play Movies and YouTube.