The Rise of Ashoka Review: Sampath Maitreya’s Menacing Brilliance is the Sole Spark in an Otherwise Dull Rebellion

By Bangalore Mail Entertainment Bureau

Setting a film in the 1970s against the backdrop of the human hair trade and systemic exploitation is a premise rife with potential. Unfortunately, The Rise of Ashoka, which released last Friday, fails to sharpen its tools, delivering a blunt narrative that feels more like a collection of clichés than a revolutionary social drama. While the film attempts to highlight the plight of the barber community in Avarathi, it ultimately drowns in its own formulaic execution.

A Screenplay That Stumbles

The story follows Ashoka (Sathish Ninasam), an educated young man who returns to his village only to find his community living under the iron fist of a ruthless middleman. While the intent—to showcase a fight for dignity and minimum wages—is noble, the screenplay by T.K. Dayanand and Vinod Dhondale is riddled with inconsistencies.

• Pacing Issues: The film spends far too much time on a lukewarm romance between Ashoka and Ambika (Sapthami Gowda) that adds little to the stakes.

• Logical Gaps: It is hard to swallow that an educated protagonist like Ashoka remains oblivious to the glaring exploitation in his own backyard until a convenient “breaking point” occurs.

• Tone Shift: What starts as an observant drama about caste and economics abruptly pivots into a loud, gory revenge flick in the second half, losing the subtlety it desperately needed.

Performance Report

Sathish Ninasam tries his best to bring honesty to Ashoka, but the inconsistent writing leaves him with little to work with beyond standard “hero” tropes. Sapthami Gowda is largely relegated to the sidelines, her talent wasted in a role that lacks depth.

The Sampath Maitreya Masterclass

The only reason The Rise of Ashoka doesn’t completely collapse under its own weight is Sampath Maitreya.

As the antagonist Kutty Babji, Maitreya is a revelation. He avoids the typical “shouting villain” archetype, instead opting for a chilling, grounded presence that makes him genuinely threatening. Even when the dialogue feels caricaturish or the character’s background feels thin, Maitreya’s expressive performance and command over the screen keep the audience engaged. He is the only element of the film that feels truly “70s”—gritty, authentic, and layered.

“In a film that often feels like a rehearsal, Sampath Maitreya delivers a finished performance. His portrayal of Babji is the only thing that gives this ‘Rise’ any real gravity.”

The Verdict

The Rise of Ashoka had the ingredients for a powerful anti-caste narrative, but the execution is amateurish and the writing is too thin to support its heavy themes. Despite the technical competence in cinematography, the film is a missed opportunity. Watch it only for Sampath Maitreya’s stellar performance, which deserves a far better movie around it.

Rating: 1.5 / 5 Stars