Ashoka 1The film chronicles the early part of the life of Emperor Asoka. It begins with his career as a General in Taxila (modern-day Pakistan) and ends with the bloody conquest of the Kalinga country (modern day Odisha State) Emperor Chandragupta Maurya, grandfather of Asoka, of the Maurya empire, has decided to embrace Jainism and abdicate the throne of the empire in favour of his son Bindusara. But his grandson, Prince Asoka, claims his sword. The old emperor explains that this sword is evil and the sword demands blood and destruction. A few years later, Prince Asoka Maurya (Shah Rukh Khan), now a brave youth, is battling the rebellious chief of Taxila for his Emperor and father. He figures that his elder half-brother Susima Maurya (Ajith Kumar), who also has an eye on the throne of the empire, has deliberately withheld reinforcements from arriving, but defeats the enemy nevertheless. Asoka returns to the capital victorious and confronts Susima. Later, Susima tries to assassinate Asoka while he is bathing. The fight among the princes makes the Emperor unhappy and he orders Empress Dharma (Subhashini Ali) to control her son Asoka. She compels Asoka to temporarily leave the capital to lead the life of a common man. The Prince is disappointed but leaves nonetheless. Shahrukh Khan as Asoka Maurya/Pawan Karan Dewani as young Asoka Kareena Kapoor as princess Kaurwaki Ajith Kumar as Susima Maurya Danny Denzongpa as Virat Rahul Dev as Bheem Hrishita Bhatt as empress Devi (Ashoka's wife) Gerson Da Cunha as emperor Bindusara Subhashini Ali as empress Dharma Umesh Mehra as emperor Chandragupta Maurya (Dilip Sinha as the Hindi dubbing voice) Sooraj Balaji as prince Arya Johnny Lever as Maurya Soldier