Many Vietnamese TikTokers carry out the transformation trend inspired by Indian movies.
If you’ve scrolled through TikTok or Instagram recently, chances are you’ve seen the trending makeup transformation clip #AsokaMakeup. The content creators lip-synced to the lyrics of San Sanana from the Bollywood movie Asoka, while wearing elaborate makeup and South Asian bridal outfits.
In Viet Nam, #AsokaMakeup is recognized by many KOLs in the field of beauty, transformation or celebrity response. The clip shared by TikToker Quynh Thi, who specializes in the transformation trend, on April 14 currently has more than 127 million views. Similarly, TikTokers Dan Thy, Chang Nguyen Inlil, Xuan Ca attracted millions of views thanks to this transformation trend. Singer Vo Ha Tram also responded to the trend.
Not only in Vietnam, #AsokaMakeup also caused a fever in India, Thailand, Philippines… Independent even commented that “Bollywood suddenly became famous throughout social networks”.
After the spread of this transformation trend, many people are also curious about Asoka’s origin. Asoka is essentially a film released in 2001, recounting the dramatic life of the Mauryan Emperor Asoka, who once ruled a large area of South Asia, played by Shah Rukh Khan. And actress Kareena Kapoor plays Kaurwaki, the princess that Asoka falls in love with.
Kareena Kapoor played the role of Kaurwaki in the film Asoka (2001).
The film’s costume designer Anu Vardhan said that body art was used freely during Asoka’s time and Kaurwaki’s dressing style was inspired by it. It is Kaurwaki’s makeup and dressing style that inspires content creators in the #AsokaMakeup trend.
But the new trend doesn’t just stop at recreating exactly the same images from the movie. Now, beauty enthusiasts from around the world are creating detailed images of South Asian brides, both modern and traditional.
The appeal of the trend also attracted people to pay attention to the movie and the original song San Sanana, which TikTokers often recite when implementing the trend.
Song views are increasing on YouTube. “Who else is here for the TikTok makeup video?”, one person commented, while another pointed out that the song “is going viral after 23 years of release”.