Bolly good epic hits the spot

The threatened Bollywood crossover monster gets nearer with Santosh Sivan's massive (2hr 30min) Hindi epic on the life of Prince Asoka, the third-century BC warlord who eventually found the godhead and became a mystic. Don't be fooled by the notes on the box, which claim this is about a spiritual journey - this is a trad epic of slaughter and love with the spiritual bit only thrown in right at the end.

At no point do the subtitles read, 'Oh dear, I've been naughty, now I'd better get me to a monastery,' but they might as well. Sumptuously filmed, with Fifties values, a cast of thousands and a handful of good song-and-dance numbers. What are you waiting for - chips?