Samrat Ashoka: Difference between revisions

What links here Related changes Page information Get shortened URL
Created by JJMC89 bot III
Last edited March 5, 2026
← Older edit
VisualWikitext
->Kailash29792
→Soundtrack: clean up
expanded article to improve readability
 
Line 4: Line 4:
| name          = Samrat Ashoka
| name          = Samrat Ashoka
| image          = Samrat Ashoka (1992 film).jpg
| image          = Samrat Ashoka (1992 film).jpg
| caption        = DVD Cover
| caption        = DVD Cover  
| director      = [[N. T. Rama Rao]]
| director      = [[N. T. Rama Rao]]
| producer      = N. T. Rama Rao
| producer      = N. T. Rama Rao
| writer        = Netyam Ratan Babu {{small|(dialogues)}}
| writer        = Netyam Ratan Babu {{small|(dialogues)}}
| screenplay    = N. T. Rama Rao
| screenplay    = N. T. Rama Rao
| story          = N. T. Rama Rao
| starring      = N. T. Rama Rao<br/>[[Vani Viswanath]]
| starring      = N. T. Rama Rao<br/>[[Vani Viswanath]]
| music          = [[M. S. Viswanathan]]
| music          = [[M. S. Viswanathan]]
Line 15: Line 14:
| editing        = N. T. Rama Rao
| editing        = N. T. Rama Rao
| based_on      = Life of ''[[Ashoka]]''
| based_on      = Life of ''[[Ashoka]]''
| studio        = [[Ramakrishna Studios|Ramakrishna Horticultural Cine Studios]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0259549/ |title=Samrat Ashoka (Overview) |work=IMDb}}</ref>
| studio        = [[Ramakrishna Studios|Ramakrishna Horticultural Cine Studios]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0259549/ |title=Samrat Ashoka (Overview) |work=IMDb |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=10 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190610211103/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0259549/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| released      = {{Film date|df=y|1992|5|28}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://spicyonion.com/title/samrat-ashok-telugu-movie/ |title=Samrat Ashoka (Preview) |work=Spicy Onion}}</ref>
| released      = {{Film date|df=y|1992|5|28}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://spicyonion.com/title/samrat-ashok-telugu-movie/ |title=Samrat Ashoka (Preview) |work=Spicy Onion |access-date=6 January 2018 |archive-date=7 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180107060931/https://spicyonion.com/title/samrat-ashok-telugu-movie/ |url-status=usurped }}</ref>
| runtime        = 135 mins
| runtime        = 135 mins
| country        = India
| country        = India
Line 24: Line 23:
}}
}}


'''''Samrat Ashoka'''''  is a 1992 Indian [[Telugu language|Telugu]]-language [[historical drama]] film produced and directed by [[N. T. Rama Rao]] under his [[Ramakrishna Studios|Ramakrishna Horticultural Cine Studios]] banner.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://telugumoviepedia.com/movie/cast/1458/samrat-ashok-cast.html |title=Samrat Ashoka (Banner) |work=Chitr.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.filmiclub.com/movie/samrat-ashok-1992-telugu-movie |title=Samrat Ashoka (Director) |work=Filmiclub}}</ref> It stars Rama Rao and [[Vani Viswanath]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gomolo.com/samrat-ashok-movie/18089 |title=Samrat Ashoka (Cast & Crew) |work=gomolo.com}}</ref> with music composed by [[M. S. Viswanathan]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.knowyourfilms.com/film/Samrat-Ashok/6042 |title=Samrat Ashoka (Music) |work=Know Your Films}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thecinebay.com/movie/index/id/7235?ed=Tolly |title=Samrat Ashoka (Review) |work=The Cine Bay}}</ref>
'''''Samrat Ashoka'''''  is a 1992 Indian [[Telugu language|Telugu]]-language [[historical drama]] film written, produced and directed by [[N. T. Rama Rao]] under his [[Ramakrishna Studios|Ramakrishna Horticultural Cine Studios]] banner.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://telugumoviepedia.com/movie/cast/1458/samrat-ashok-cast.html |title=Samrat Ashoka (Banner) |work=Chitr.com |access-date=6 January 2018 |archive-date=17 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717220347/https://telugumoviepedia.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.filmiclub.com/movie/samrat-ashok-1992-telugu-movie |title=Samrat Ashoka (Director) |work=Filmiclub |access-date=6 January 2018 |archive-date=7 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180107061113/http://www.filmiclub.com/movie/samrat-ashok-1992-telugu-movie |url-status=live }}</ref> The film stars Rama Rao in the title role, alongside [[Vani Viswanath]], [[Mohan Babu]], [[Gummadi (actor)|Gummadi]], [[Kaikala Satyanarayana|Satyanarayana]], and [[Ranganath (actor)|Ranganath]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gomolo.com/samrat-ashok-movie/18089 |title=Samrat Ashoka (Cast & Crew) |work=gomolo.com |access-date=6 January 2018 |archive-date=19 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181019080932/http://www.gomolo.com/samrat-ashok-movie/18089 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The music was composed by [[M. S. Viswanathan]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.knowyourfilms.com/film/Samrat-Ashok/6042 |title=Samrat Ashoka (Music) |work=Know Your Films |access-date=6 January 2018 |archive-date=7 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180107062407/http://www.knowyourfilms.com/film/Samrat-Ashok/6042 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thecinebay.com/movie/index/id/7235?ed=Tolly |title=Samrat Ashoka (Review) |work=The Cine Bay |access-date=6 January 2018 |archive-date=14 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414105429/https://www.thecinebay.com/movie/index/id/7235?ed=Tolly |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite its grandeur and historical subject, the film was a box office failure.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-27 |title=ఆఖరి రోజు ఏడిపించేసిన ఎన్టీఆర్ - 'మేజర్ చంద్రకాంత్' చిత్రయూనిట్ భావోద్వేగపు వీడ్కోలు |url=https://telugu.abplive.com/entertainment/cinema/intresting-facts-about-senior-ntr-last-movie-major-chandrakanth-95103 |access-date=2024-12-31 |website=[[ABP Desam]] |language=te}}</ref>


==Plot==
==Plot==
The film is based on the life of the 3rd Mauryan Indian emperor [[Ashoka]].
The film is based on the life of the 3rd Mauryan Indian emperor [[Ashoka]]. It begins in Ujjain, ruled by King Rayani Rachamallu, who unwillingly performs his daughter Tishya Raksha's nuptial. Just before, Emperor Ashoka abducted the bride. Rachamallu could not abide it for association with the enslaved class. So, he ploys to assassinate Ashoka via Tishya. On the verge, Tishya detects him as the same stranger she crushed and spins back.
 
Once on his hunt, Emperor [[Bindusara]] spots & wedlocks Sage Kaushila's daughter Subhadrangi / Dharma and is blessed with Ashoka. However, she is hounded and classed as the underdog by her fellow wives. Plus, Ashoka's 100 siblings mock & torment him, which Dharma countenances and quits. Here, the aura of fear-defying scholar [[Chanakya]] guides her, stating Ashoka was born to succeed in his aim to unite the country under a reign. According to his mandate, Dharma raises Ashoka in a mystical cave, molding him as a gallant. Ashoka is powerless to resist the captivity and unbound like a roaring lion. Amid this, he secures Tishya from the tiger when they endear. Simultaneously, satrap Malavasimha Rudradeva binds Bindusara by the rebellion. At that point, Ashoka encounters and blames his father. Then, as remorseful, he discerns him as only one fit as Emperor and bestows him with the hierarchical sword ''Karthikeyam'' of [[Chandragupta Maurya]]. Ashoka beats Malavasimha in a duo war, who bows down and befits as his staunch. Tragically, Bindusara dies when imperialist Ashoka becomes bloodthirsty and callously decapitates all his kins. Listening to it, Tishya wholeheartedly accepts him.
 
Parallelly, an infuriated Rachamallu conspires with Raja Anantha Padmanabha, the Emperor of [[Kalinga (historical region)|Kalinga]], and fans the flames against Ashoka. Ergo, he imparts an ultimatum when an outraged Ashoka declares the war as a last step for his sovereignty. Besides, Chanakya's aura peacefully mingles in the universe. En route, Buddhist monks oppose Ashoka about his sanguinary, which he deaf ears and moves on by butchering them.
 
Meanwhile, Rachamallu plots to backstab him, but Tishya shields her husband by self-sacrifice. The battle erupts, which ends victoriously with the massacre. The same night, Ashoka walks into the theatre of war and takes a bloodbath, losing his men, including Malavasimha. Here, he views a blind old lady, Kartruni, who is searching for her son's corpse. Since he is a stranger to her, she seeks a favor to kill Ashoka. Here, guilt-ridden Ashoka accords his sword to Kartruni, revealing his identity when she self-sacrifices it as a curse to him. At last, Ashoka throws the sword after soul-searching and enlightens by embracing Buddhism with a proclamation that ''Non-Violence is the Supreme Piety.'' Finally, the movie ends Ashoka's Wheel of Piety, flying colors on our ''National Flag.''


==Cast==
==Cast==
*[[N. T. Rama Rao]] as [[Ashoka]] & [[Chanakya]] (Dual role)   
*[[N. T. Rama Rao]] as [[Ashoka]] & [[Chanakya]] (Dual role)   
*[[Vani Viswanath]] as Tishya Raksha
*[[Vani Viswanath]] as Tishya Raksha
*[[Mohan Babu]] as Malavasimha
*[[Mohan Babu]] as Malavasimha Rudradeva
*[[Gummadi (actor)|Gummadi]] as Bouddha Parivrajaka
*[[Gummadi (actor)|Gummadi]] as Bouddha Parivrajaka
*[[Kaikala Satyanarayana|Satyanarayana]] as Rayani Rachamallu
*[[Kaikala Satyanarayana|Satyanarayana]] as Rayani Rachamallu
*[[Ranganath (actor)|Ranganath]] as Bindusara  
*[[Ranganath (actor)|Ranganath]] as [[Bindusara]]
*[[Ramakrishna (Telugu actor)|Ramakrishna]] as Jayamallu
*[[Ramakrishna (Telugu actor)|Ramakrishna]] as Raja Anantha Padmanabha
*[[Kanta Rao]]
*[[Kantha Rao]]
* [[Dhulipala Seetarama Sastry|Dhulipala]] as Ujjayini Mahamantri  
* [[Dhulipala Seetarama Sastry|Dhulipala]] as Ujjayini Mahamantri  
*Ratan Babu as Preggada  
*Ratan Babu as Preggada  
*Malladi
*Malladi as Sage Kaushila
*[[Bhanumathi Ramakrishna]] as Kartruni  
*[[Bhanumathi Ramakrishna]] as Kartruni  
*[[B. Saroja Devi]] as Karmani
*[[B. Saroja Devi]] as Karmani
*[[Lakshmi (actress)|Lakshmi]]
*[[Lakshmi (actress)|Lakshmi]] as Subhadrangi / Dharma


==Soundtrack==
==Music==
{{Infobox album
{{Infobox album
| name      = Samrat Ashoka
| name      = Samrat Ashoka
Line 66: Line 71:
}}
}}


Music composed by [[M. S. Viswanathan]]. Lyrics were written by [[C. Narayana Reddy]]. Music released by LEO Audio Company.  
Music for the film was composed by [[M. S. Viswanathan]] and the lyrics were written by [[C. Narayana Reddy]]. Audio soundtrack was released on LEO Audio label.  
{|class="wikitable"
{|class="wikitable"
|-
|-
!S. No.!!Song Title !!Singers !!length
!S. No.!!Song title !!Singers !!length
|-
|-
|1
|1
Line 90: Line 95:
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


[[Category:Indian films]]
[[Category:Indian biographical drama films]]
[[Category:Indian biographical drama films]]
[[Category:Indian historical drama films]]
[[Category:Indian historical drama films]]
[[Category:Indian epic films]]
[[Category:Indian epic films]]
[[Category:Works about the Maurya Empire]]
[[Category:Works about Ashoka]]
[[Category:Films scored by M. S. Viswanathan]]
[[Category:Films scored by M. S. Viswanathan]]
[[Category:Films directed by N. T. Rama Rao]]
[[Category:Films directed by N. T. Rama Rao]]
[[Category:1990s biographical drama films]]
[[Category:1990s biographical drama films]]
[[Category:1990s historical drama films]]
[[Category:1990s historical drama films]]
[[Category:1990s Telugu-language films]]
[[Category:1992 Telugu-language films]]
[[Category:Memorials to Ashoka]]
 
 
{{1990s-Telugu-film-stub}}
{{1990s-Telugu-film-stub}}

Latest revision as of 08:15, 5 March 2026

Samrat Ashoka
DVD Cover
Directed byN. T. Rama Rao
Produced byN. T. Rama Rao
Written byNetyam Ratan Babu (dialogues)
Screenplay byN. T. Rama Rao
Based onLife of Ashoka
StarringN. T. Rama Rao
Vani Viswanath
Music byM. S. Viswanathan
CinematographyNandamuri Mohan Krishna
Edited byN. T. Rama Rao
Production
company
Release date
  • 28 May 1992 (1992-05-28)
[2]
Running time
135 mins
CountryIndia
LanguageTelugu

Samrat Ashoka is a 1992 Indian Telugu-language historical drama film written, produced and directed by N. T. Rama Rao under his Ramakrishna Horticultural Cine Studios banner.[3][4] The film stars Rama Rao in the title role, alongside Vani Viswanath, Mohan Babu, Gummadi, Satyanarayana, and Ranganath.[5] The music was composed by M. S. Viswanathan.[6][7] Despite its grandeur and historical subject, the film was a box office failure.[8]

Plot[edit | edit source]

The film is based on the life of the 3rd Mauryan Indian emperor Ashoka. It begins in Ujjain, ruled by King Rayani Rachamallu, who unwillingly performs his daughter Tishya Raksha's nuptial. Just before, Emperor Ashoka abducted the bride. Rachamallu could not abide it for association with the enslaved class. So, he ploys to assassinate Ashoka via Tishya. On the verge, Tishya detects him as the same stranger she crushed and spins back.

Once on his hunt, Emperor Bindusara spots & wedlocks Sage Kaushila's daughter Subhadrangi / Dharma and is blessed with Ashoka. However, she is hounded and classed as the underdog by her fellow wives. Plus, Ashoka's 100 siblings mock & torment him, which Dharma countenances and quits. Here, the aura of fear-defying scholar Chanakya guides her, stating Ashoka was born to succeed in his aim to unite the country under a reign. According to his mandate, Dharma raises Ashoka in a mystical cave, molding him as a gallant. Ashoka is powerless to resist the captivity and unbound like a roaring lion. Amid this, he secures Tishya from the tiger when they endear. Simultaneously, satrap Malavasimha Rudradeva binds Bindusara by the rebellion. At that point, Ashoka encounters and blames his father. Then, as remorseful, he discerns him as only one fit as Emperor and bestows him with the hierarchical sword Karthikeyam of Chandragupta Maurya. Ashoka beats Malavasimha in a duo war, who bows down and befits as his staunch. Tragically, Bindusara dies when imperialist Ashoka becomes bloodthirsty and callously decapitates all his kins. Listening to it, Tishya wholeheartedly accepts him.

Parallelly, an infuriated Rachamallu conspires with Raja Anantha Padmanabha, the Emperor of Kalinga, and fans the flames against Ashoka. Ergo, he imparts an ultimatum when an outraged Ashoka declares the war as a last step for his sovereignty. Besides, Chanakya's aura peacefully mingles in the universe. En route, Buddhist monks oppose Ashoka about his sanguinary, which he deaf ears and moves on by butchering them.

Meanwhile, Rachamallu plots to backstab him, but Tishya shields her husband by self-sacrifice. The battle erupts, which ends victoriously with the massacre. The same night, Ashoka walks into the theatre of war and takes a bloodbath, losing his men, including Malavasimha. Here, he views a blind old lady, Kartruni, who is searching for her son's corpse. Since he is a stranger to her, she seeks a favor to kill Ashoka. Here, guilt-ridden Ashoka accords his sword to Kartruni, revealing his identity when she self-sacrifices it as a curse to him. At last, Ashoka throws the sword after soul-searching and enlightens by embracing Buddhism with a proclamation that Non-Violence is the Supreme Piety. Finally, the movie ends Ashoka's Wheel of Piety, flying colors on our National Flag.

Cast[edit | edit source]

Music[edit | edit source]

Samrat Ashoka
Film score by
M. S. Viswanathan
Released1992
GenreSoundtrack
Length14:15
LabelLEO Audio
ProducerM. S. Viswanathan

Music for the film was composed by M. S. Viswanathan and the lyrics were written by C. Narayana Reddy. Audio soundtrack was released on LEO Audio label.

S. No. Song title Singers length
1 "O Ramo Rama" S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Chitra 4:26
2 "Kinchith Kinchith" S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Chitra 5:24
3 "Anuraginiga" S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Chitra 4:25

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Samrat Ashoka (Overview)". IMDb. Archived from the original on 10 June 2019. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  2. ↑ "Samrat Ashoka (Preview)". Spicy Onion. Archived from the original on 7 January 2018. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
  3. ↑ "Samrat Ashoka (Banner)". Chitr.com. Archived from the original on 17 July 2023. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
  4. ↑ "Samrat Ashoka (Director)". Filmiclub. Archived from the original on 7 January 2018. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
  5. ↑ "Samrat Ashoka (Cast & Crew)". gomolo.com. Archived from the original on 19 October 2018. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
  6. ↑ "Samrat Ashoka (Music)". Know Your Films. Archived from the original on 7 January 2018. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
  7. ↑ "Samrat Ashoka (Review)". The Cine Bay. Archived from the original on 14 April 2021. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
  8. ↑ "ఆఖరి రోజు ఏడిపించేసిన ఎన్టీఆర్ - 'మేజర్ చంద్రకాంత్' చిత్రయూనిట్ భావోద్వేగపు వీడ్కోలు". ABP Desam (in తెలుగు). 27 May 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
Stub icon

This article about a Telugu-language film of the 1990s is a stub. You can help Bharatpedia by expanding it.

Retrieved from "https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Samrat_Ashoka&oldid=460852"
Discover more