Lekh Tandon's film showed the Samrat Ajashtru of Magadh (a district in modern Bihar), who was bent on conquering the world.

He is constantly on the battlefield, and his astrologer, army chiefs and even his mother plead with him to stop the wars and rest, as his soldiers are tired.

Against their wishes, Ajashtru wages a war on the kingdom of Vaishali (another district in modern Bihar). He gets wounded and lands up at the house of Amrapali, a nagarvadhu (court dancer).

She treats his wounds and falls in love with him, not knowing that he is the king of Magadh, who tried to destroy her kingdom.

Meanwhile, the king of Vaishali learns about the love affair between Ajashatru and Amrapali, and in a rage, he burns the city, killing many.

Ajashatru rescues Amrapali. But by now, she learns the truth, and feels cheated. She rejects him, and follows the path of Buddhism.

Fact: Amrapali was a very beautiful woman, and stories of her beauty reached Magadh. King Bimbisara, the king of Magadh, attacked Vaishali and fell in love with her. They had a son together, Vimala Kondanna.

But Bimbisara was Ajashatru's father as well. So whom did Amrapali actually belong to?

In the picture: Vyjayantimala and Sunil Dutt in Amrapali.

Also read: Jodhaa not released in Rajasthan

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