ARMS AND THE MAN: From Hollywood war movies to Japanese Samurai films to battle re-enactments across Europe, 31-year-old Indian businessman Ashok Rai is one of the world’s go-to men for historic weapons and battle attire.

BUBBLY BEGINNING: He dove into the business at 17, when he heard a French champagne-maker needed 1,000 swords to give away as souvenirs.