Bhubaneswar: A weeklong shoot of 'Ashoka the Great,' a film on the ancient Indian emperor with Bollywood favorite Shah Rukh Khan in the lead role, has been scheduled in Orissa from September 1.

'Ashoka the Great' is a home production of Shah Rukh Khan and stars newcomer Kareena Kapoor as Karubaki, princess of the ancient kingdom of Kalinga. The film is directed by ace cinematographer and award winning director Santosh Sivan, whose film, 'The Terrorist,' created waves recently.

Ashoka ruled over the Mauryan empire, in modern day Bihar, in the 4th century BC. His expansionist tendencies took his armies to neighboring Kalinga, or what is today Orissa. The death and destruction caused during that campaign had a profound impact on the emperor. He adopted Buddhism and began living the life of a monk while still retaining the throne.

"Two shooting schedules have been completed in Madhya Pradesh over the last two months. The episode dealing with the Kalinga war will now be filmed," Sabyasachi Mohapatra, an Oriya film producer associated with the shooting told India Abroad News Service.

An advance team is already in the state to scout for suitable locations to film the battle scenes and Ashoka's transformation to Buddhism. The police have also been asked to provide security cover to Shah Rukh and Kareena, home secretary T. K. Mishra said.

Earlier too, Mumbai-based film producer and director O. P. Ralhan had attempted to make a film with the same title. That project, however, fell through.

India Abroad News Service

Other Links
Art of Filmi
Pumpin' Khan- Shah Rukh gets physica