If you’ve been browsing online lately, chances are you’ve stumbled upon entries from the Ashoka Makeup Challenge or the Viral Indian Bridal Makeup that has been making waves on the internet for weeks.
As a makeup enthusiast from a South Asian background, I was extremely pleased to find it and impressed by people taking on the challenge. Naturally, I wanted to try it myself to see how I would fare. Although the challenge gave me sweaty palms on the day of filming but it was also incredibly exciting. However that’s not all; there’s an interesting fun story behind it too.
Back when I was a little kid, Ashoka Movie had just hit the screens. I remember being late to school that day because I detested the hot milk my mother gave me for breakfast. Instead, I used my lunch money to buy a delicious sandwich from the bakery across the street. Little did I know that this small act of rebellion would lead to me arriving late.
Upon entering the classroom, I found all the boys sitting and all girls standing as a form of punishment, with our teacher mysteriously absent. Whispered conversations among them revealed that this had something to do with Ashoka & Kareena. Being more focused on food as an extracurricular activity back then, I was clueless about the context.
When the teacher finally arrived, she singled me out to sit (despite being late), a privilege I hadn’t experienced before and never afterwards. The other girls had to endure standing throughout the class, all because they were dancing to the San Sana San dance move from the Movie Ashoka.
Reflecting on it now, it seems humorous that such a harmless dance led to such disciplinary action. I didn’t think they deserved such a harsh punishment for San Sana San dance as little girls. That day, I was the only one who didn’t dance, and now, many years later, I find myself taking on the Ashoka Makeup Challenge. What Fate!
Just hope my teacher doesn’t see this ever; otherwise, she will probably lose her mind!
Who started the Ashoka Makeup Challenge?
The Ashoka makeup challenge, which showcases the rich and colorful Indian culture, was actually started by an Indonesian content creator – Jharna Bhagwani
What is Ashoka Makeup Challenge
The popular lip-synced song “San Sanana” is a track from the 2001 Bollywood movie “Asoka,” starring Kareena Kapoor and Shahrukh Khan.
The film is about the legendary Indian Emperor Ashoka of the Mauran Empire, who reigned from 268 to 232 BCE. Ashoka is revered as one of India’s greatest and most influential monarchs.
During his rule, Ashoka governed vast territories including modern-day India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka. Important cities such as Gandhara, Pataliputra, Taxilla, and Kathmandu Valley served as key centers of the Mauryan Empire.
The Ashoka Chakra, a wheel symbol featured on the Indian flag, is closely associated with Emperor Ashoka. It represents the Dharmachakra or the Wheel of Dharma, symbolizing Buddhist teachings of righteousness, morality, and ethical conduct.
The trend’s name, inspired by the iconic film ‘Ashoka,’ pays homage to Indian culture and thus the Indian bride at the end. I find it particularly special since the song is from the movie ‘Ashoka,’ based on King Ashoka, who is renowned for abandoning war and adopting a policy of non-violence. It’s a lesson we need to embrace in this age.
How Challenging is Ashoka Makeup Challenge
Almost all content creators agree that it’s a really challenging challenge, and I’m no exception. Unlike many, I had never danced or created transition videos before, making it even more challenging. It took me four days to film it, with sunlight being my preferred lighting for its natural allure
How to do the Ashoka Makeup Challenge
I had planned to shoot the challenge in two steps: clips made without makeup and with makeup.
Day 1
On the first day, I did everything without makeup.
Day 2
On Day 2, I completed the makeup steps, but just as I was about to start the eye makeup, the sunlight disappeared. Despite feeling exhausted and even battling a fever that day, I persevered.
Day 3
Day 3 presented its own challenges as a surprise pimple decided to join the video, adding to the difficulty along with my fever. Despite these obstacles, I managed to shoot the eye makeup. However, during the BTS explanation, I made a mistake and forgot to film the before eye makeup segment. Despite this faux pas, I stayed composed and continued with the later steps, taking advantage of the available sunlight to complete all the steps.
Day 4
On Day 4, I was feeling better, and the pimple was finally fading away. I filmed the remaining challenge steps and then explained them in the BTS video. It was during this process that I realized I had missed some transitions before and after wearing the makeup. So, I reshot those segments on Day 4.
Day 5 & 6
Days 5 & 6 were dedicated to editing everything together, resulting in the final video. Although it was challenging and time-consuming to shoot over four days, breaking it into pieces allowed me to identify and correct mistakes, ultimately creating a better final product.
Aicha’s Take on Ashoka Makeup Challenge
Undoubtedly, this challenge is a testament to creativity but demands substantial time and effort. For anyone underestimating the complexities of content creation, this challenge proves that it’s no piece of cake that you can eat easily but rather a cake made with iron & bricks. Now go eat it. Jokes apart, completing it requires determination and resilience.