Santoshi has been doing extensive research on Ashoka, who became an emperor sometime between 269-264 BC and extended his empire through a series of battles before converting to Buddhism and non-violence (after the bloody Kalinga war). But Santoshi insists his Ashoka would be different. It will create a life sketch of the emperor from the Kalinga war to his conversion to Buddhism.
To play the lead role, Santoshi is relying on his most trusted actor Ajay Devgan, with whom he has just completed his next movie .