Mumbai: Emperor Ashoka as a historical figure towers above many of its compatriots but the celluloid story, which was loosely based on his life and times, starring Shah Rukh Khan didn't succeed back in 2001.

Inspite of the earlier film’s box office debacle, director Rajkumar Santoshi is all set to retell the story of Ashoka with a lavish budget of Rs 30 to 40 crore and he is confident that his film will work.

“Everyone who heard the narration of the film was excited. I have watched the last film based on Ashoka, it was very well shot and Shah Rukh did a good job. But my film begins where the last film ended. My film begins after the Kalinga war,” Santoshi says.

The veteran filmmaker's excitement is evident because his last attempt at a historical, The Legend of Bhagat Singh, though a box office dud, won critical acclaim.

But after last year's forgettable Amitabh Bachchan starrer Family, he lied low for a while and his shelved films came back to haunt him as well.

“Saamna got into too much controversy so I decided to shelve it. As for Family, Amitji's health was not good so we couldn't market the film and it failed. So my films weren't seen for sometime. Now I am back with Halla Bol,” says Santoshi.

The director’s upcoming flick Halla Bol starring Ajay Devgan and Vidya Balan holds promise. Apart from that, the filmmaker is busy with not just Ashok the Great, but also a romantic comedy starring Shahid Kapoor.

So, here's hoping he does work the Ghayal or Khakee magic once again.