on a third viewing on dvd i be confirm in my opinion that this be not only the best historical film produce in india but that be as good a the best hollywood film such a gladiator and braveheart . both the latter film be not historically accurate but asoka be a near the truth a one can get about asoka most of whose history be also historical speculation . the film make very credible narrative of the pre buddhist phase of asoka and his conversion . kaurwaki be also a historical figure a she be the only queen whose name appear in asoka inscription . the film be beautiful and imaginative and have beautiful scenery and music . it follow the indian cinema convention in include song and dance sequence which appeal to audience not only in the subcontinent but across the middle east and north africa and south east asia . shah rukh khan be superb a the young asoka . especially well do be his sequence in magadha with his brother and father and his late scene in war and the kalinga battlefield with the remorse and repentance . i have certainly not see anything in indian cinema to compare with this . laurence olivier hamlet and henry v come to mind . the film be worth multiple viewing and one should certainly own a dvd .