Bollywood News

Aishwarya Rai is now on fire with her recently released English movie Provoked. It is said that the role she plays in the movie is a special one in her career. With the movie, Aishwarya Rai is going to give a surprise for her fans ahead of the marriage of Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai in the month. News.Sawf reported:

This role is meant for Aishwarya. She looks coy and vulnerable and evokes empathy. I would say this is the best role of her career,” said Bollywood expert Indu Mirani, editor of film website thirtymm.com.

Critics have often panned the former Miss World for her acting skills.

But this time, Rai, 33, has garnered praise for her realistic portrayal — a far cry from the trademark glitz of Bollywood films.

“It took me some time to release the film here because Indian distributors are not believers in non-formula films,” Mundhra said.

“As for ‘Provoked’, so many people are interested in it because of Aishwarya,” he said. “She is a brand name, recognised the world over.”

“The subject of the film is such that they needed someone like Aishwarya to pull people,” said Mirani.

The movie was first showed in the last Cannes film festival. It is also true that through this movie Aishwarya Rai will appear in a role without having any glamour. I think the role is enough to take one’s career in a height where not too many people can reach.

Jagmohan Mundhra directed and Aishwarya Rai acted movie Provoked is now being showed in England after it was released yesterday. The movie has already got a huge attention in both England and India. It is, for sure, that the movie is going to be a successful one in both England and India box office.

The movie is based on a real story of a Punjabi housewife Kiranjit Ahluwalia who being abused by her husband for 10 years, one night kills him. As a result, Kiranjit was sentenced to life imprisonment. However, with the help of her cell mate Veronica Scott and a south Asia based social working group Southall Black Sisters, Kiranjit got out of jail. Now, the problem is that the co-writer of the book ‘Circle of Light’, which the movie is based on, Rahila and two outmost workers of Southall Black Sisters have accused director Jagmohan Mundhra of taking artistic liberties in the movie. Andhracafe.com reported:

The Southall Black Sisters, an organisation that helped Kiranjit, panned it saying it has ‘factual and legal inaccuracies’. And Pragna Patel and Rahila Gupta, whose characters have been merged into one person and is played by Nandita Das in the film, alleged that it had taken a lot of artistic liberties.

Rahila, who co-wrote the book ‘Circle of Light’ that chronicles Kiranjit’s awful journey from a wife to a murderer and her fight to get justice, said it is a one-dimensional story.

Directed by Jagmohan Mundhra, the film revolves around Kiranjit (Aishwarya Rai) who moves to Britain after marrying Deepak Ahluwalia (Naveen Andrews). She is constantly abused and raped by her husband who is an alcoholic. After bearing his atrocities for 10 years, one fine day she kills him.

I think as the movie is related to a sensitive issue, the director should not have changed anything related to the fact. I think the movie is also special for Aishwarya Rai as her English movie career can get a huge boom from the movie Provoked. What do you think about it

The Movie, Provoked, directed by Jagmohan Mundhra, was released on 6^th of April, 2007. It seems that the movie is going to be universal in terms of its major concern Domestic Violence. The movie has already got a huge attention over the different counties as a way of experiencing a significant issue.

The movie Provoked is based on a true story of a Indian women, Kiranjit Ahluwalia who killed her husband, Deepak Ahluwalia who was used to torture his wife in both physically as well as mentally. After tolerating the abusive activities of her husband, one night she set her husband to fire and killed him. Court sentenced Kiranjit life imprisonment. However, she got out of the prison with the help of Veronica and a south Asia based social working group, Southall Black Sisters.

The women of Fiji are also very interested to watch the movie as domestic violation is a common thing in Fiji. The Fiji Times Online reported:

Recent statistics showed that 50 per cent of the cases reported at the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre annually were from women subjected to violence in their own homes, mostly by their husbands.

Centre co-ordinator, Shamima Ali said domestic violence was real and very prevalent in our society as depicted in the movie “Provoked” the real life story of Kiranjit Ahluwalia, who endured years of domestic violence and torture at the hands of her husband.

The movie, which premiered at the Village 6 Cinemas in Suva on Thursday, stars Bollywood sensation Aishwarya Rai, in the role of a migrant woman living in London struggling against all odds and bound by the traditional expectations of her society.

Ms Ali said the movie was a must-see as it demonstrated similar experiences of women in Fiji.

Ms Ali said similar to the movie, situations in Fiji showed that these women were not insane but their actions were a result of their helpless states of mind.

I think that the issue does not only belong to any specific country rather the same thing happens in many countries. I hope that the movie will be able to unveil the dark sight of those societies where domestic violence is a major issue.

Aishwar Rai is going to voice in Punjabi language for the first time with her recently released English language movie Provoked which was released in England on 6^th of April, 2007. The movie is going to be dubbed in 6/7 languages. AIshwarya Rai will just give her voice in Hindi and Punjabi languages.

In the movie, AIshwarya Rai plays the protagonist role of the movie. Provoked is based on the true story of a Punjabi housewife, Kiranjit Ahluwalia, who lived with her two children and abusive husband, Deepak Ahluwalia in England. Having tolerating abusive treatment from her husband, she killed her husband one night.

It has been reported that Aishwarya is very much excited with her voice in Punjabi language. The Hindustan Times reported:

Producer J. Murli Manohar, who flew down from London this week to oversee the release on Feb 23, told IANS: “We aren’t just releasing the film in its original English language, we’re also dubbing the film in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Punjabi and Spanish, and possibly a seventh language, French.”

Aishwarya will dub for the Hindi and Punjabi versions. “To expect Ash to dub in Tamil or Spanish is unrealistic. But she’s very enthusiastic about speaking in Punjabi for the first time,” said Manohar.

Provoked is based on the real life story of battered wife Kiranjit Ahluwalia who murdered her husband.

The linguistic blitzkrieg isn’t random. “Domestic violence isn’t just an Asian phenomenon. Through the presence of Aishwarya we want the message to reach every corner of the world,” said Manohar.

He intends to fly down the film’s distinguished British cast for the premiere.

“Miranda Richardson and Robbie Coltrane are expected to join Aishwarya for the Mumbai premiere. And, of course, the real Kiranjit Ahluwalia will attend it too. We’ll also have a lavish premiere at Leicester Square in London,” said Manohar.

I think that the movie is well enough to rock both in England and India as it is related to a significant issue of both English and Indian society. Now, it is yet to see how people take Aishwarya’s voice in Punjabi language.

Now, it seems that U’K. based director Jagmohan Mundhra prefer the real life story as the plot of his movies. After screening Provoked, he is now going to make his next movie named ‘Shoot On Sight’. Provoked is based on a battered housewife, Kiranjit Ahluwalia who killed her husband being abused by her husband for 10 years of their married life. On the contrary, the movie ‘Shoot On Sight’ is based on the suicide bombing of 7^th July, 2005. The movie tells the story of a Muslim Policeman in U.K. after the terrorist attack which depicts the post 7/7 life of U.K. Muslims. Earth Times reported:

Although the storyline is mostly fictional, several incidents are based on real events like the London police shooting down Brazilian Jean Charles de Menezes, suspected of being a terrorist but later found to be innocent.

In the script, however, the person shot dead is a Muslim boy. As soon as the police realise their mistake, they attempt to cover it up and recruit a Muslim officer to serve as spokesman for the case.

According to Mundhra, the role of the policeman is based on Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur.

‘I noticed after July 7 that Ghaffur’s presence was seen a lot on TV, addressing the media on behalf of Scotland Yard so I did go and meet him,’ he said. ‘But the character in my film is fictional,’ Mundhra said here.

The director also met with two passengers who were in one of the trains when the bombs went off. Though he did not meet the families of the suicide bombers, he said he wanted his film to show both sides of the tragedy.

‘The fact is that there is a silent majority of Muslims who are not fundamentalist and they need a role model. They need a character to represent them and that is the lead actor of my film.’

I think the movie “Shoot On Sight” will also be able to attract the people and will get the same media attention as his recent movie Aishwarya Rai starrer Provoked got. It would be interesting to see how British people take his next movie.

The movie Povoked was released today in England. The movie depicts the true life story of a battered Indian woman Kiranjit Ahluwalia. Aishwarya Rai plays the role of Kiranjit Ahluwalia in the movie. The film was first screened in the Cannes film festival and got a huge appreciation from the critics. For Aishwarya Rai, the movie Provoked is going be one of the special in her career as this is the first time she will appear in a de-glamorized role. It is true that the initial purpose of the movie is to make awareness among the people of both England and India regarding the matter of domestic violence. However, it is to say that Aishwarya is also a winner from this movie. Hindustan Times reported:

Screened several times in the Cannes Film Market this year, Provoked, the real life story of a battered Indian woman who went on to become a role model for all victims of domestic violence in Britain, has garnered positive reviews both for its controlled making and Aishwarya’s finely etched performance.

“Skeptics repeatedly asked me why I had opted for Aishwarya for the role of Kiranjit Ahluwalia, but I was always convinced that she is a talented, sensitive and instinctive actress and Provoked is clear proof of that,” the US-based Mundhra said.

“Aishwarya,” said Mundhra, “has very expressive eyes. They have rarely been exploited. It all boils down to what a director wants to extract from her.”

Besides the way she uses her eyes to convey a gamut of emotions – trust, loyalty, fear, confusion and, finally, resolve – what is really impressive about Aishwarya’s star turn in Provoked is the manner in which she not only holds her own against Miranda Richardson, who plays a cellmate with whom Kiran develops a deep emotional bonding, but also manages to provide a perfect foil to a wonderfully nuanced performance from an actress of uncommon substance.

Well, it is undoubtedly true that Aishwarya Rai is a big brand name in Bollywood and she has the ability to turn something into the limelight. So, with Aishwarya Rai, the movie Provoked is also going to gain some extra attention. The most important thing is that the issue which the movie is based on will easily be reached a large number of people both in England and India.

U.K. Box office experienced the highest amount of revenue in the first quarter of a year in 2006 comparing to the first quarter revenue of last four years. In 2006, U.K. Box office earned $346 million which is now likely to be surpassed this ongoing year as many big releases are going to happen in the same period of this year. Among this Aishwarya Rai starrer Provoked has been released today in a big cinema of England. Regarding the increasing revenue of U.K. Box office Variety reported:

News of the upturn in box figures coincided with a report predicting a surge of growth in the U.K. cinema market. British cinemagoers are set to pay nearly $2.17 billion for movie tickets by 2011, according to predictions made by Dodona Research. U.K. B.O. totaled $1.63 billion last year.

“We think it’s going to go up as a result of new cinemas and the onset of digital technologies. 3-D is going to make a sizeable difference too,” said Dodona‘s Karsten Grummitt.

“Even though the DVD market is a kind of problem for the studios, the increase of film downloads will yield higher margins for studios as they won’t have to pay middlemen or the costs of production and distribution.”

Easter weekend also is shaping up to be B.O. bonanza with a brace of big releases. Fox rollout Danny Boyle sci-fi epic “Sunshine,” while Paramount have Will Ferrell laffer “Blades of Glory” going for gold.

While the four-day Easter weekend (Monday is a public holiday for the Brits) augers well, ironically for “Sunshine” unseasonably sunny Blighty weather may offer a cloudier outlook at the box office.

Paramount execs are also hoping warm weather doesn’t turn their high hopes for “Blades of Glory” into mush, while also predicting that 2007 could be U.K.‘s biggest ever.

“There’s big box office potential when you have a look at the films coming out in the summer. It’s unprecedented that to have so many blockbusters coming out in the same period,” said Par’s international topper Andrew Cripps.

Away from the big studio duo, Easter sees a clutch of arty fare released. Eros has Aishwarya Rai starrer “Provoked,” Optimum brings out “The Caiman,” while Soda Pictures has “Close to Home” unspooling on two screens.

I think this is a good news for the English producers as well as the directors as people are coming to the theaters and enjoying the movies. I think the movie Provoked will also turn out a huge boom in the U.K. Box office as well as in Bollywood.

The wife of the Prime Minister of India, Mrs. Gursharan Kaur, has recently watched the movie Provoked in a special arrangement. The movie is based on the autobiography of a battered woman Kiranjit Ahluwalia, Circle of Light. The movie is based on the true life story of Kiranjit who had undergone 10 years of married life with her abusive husband who was used to abuse her physically as well as mentally. Later on, Kiranjit Ahluwalia killed her husband setting him fire and sentenced to life imprisonment. However, with the help of Veronica Scott and a south Asian social worker group Southall Black Sisters, she got free causing an important change in British law.

Having seen the movie, Prime Minister’s wife sent a written congratulation to the producers praising the initiative taken for making the movie. She expected that the issue would widely be publicized in order to make people concerned about the matter. Indiafm reported:

Visibly touched by the sensitive film and praising the performances of the cast, she has written to the producers of the film stating, “The movie brilliantly highlights the trauma and struggle associated with domestic violence which many women undergo. The issues raised by the movie need to be widely publicized and shared so that women can courageously speak against this inhuman act”.

Provoked, is the true life depiction of Kiranjit Ahluwalia (played by Aishwarya Rai), the Asian woman who overturned the British judicial system and transformed the meaning of “provocation” in the case of physically abused women, winning justice for women subjected to domestic violence, rape and sexual abuse. The film, based on Ahluwalia’s autobiography ‘Circle of Light’ by Rahila Gupta, follows her lonely struggle in an abusive 10-year marriage, her retaliation through the murder of her violent husband and the efforts of women activists Southall Black Sisters to bring her justice.

The movie is, for sure, going to turn a huge attention both in England and India. It is true that the movie is not something special for just entertainment rather more associated with a serious matter. I hope that the movie will be something special for English viewers as well.

The director of the movie Provoked, Jagmohan Mundhra has said that he got interested to make the movie after going through the book written by Kiranjit Ahluwalia, whom the movie is based on. Especially a line- “In prison, I feel free,” attracted her most to make the movie. Regarding Aishwarya Rai’s getting into the movie, he said that it is not he rather Aishwarya Rai got interested about the movie after watching Mundhra’s previous movie Bawandar. He also stated that people just look the beauty of Aishwarya not anything else. That is why; he wants people forget Aishwarya Rai before watching the movie. Business of Cinema reported:

Aishwarya’s presence has benefitted the film in more than one way…
True. After Aishwarya agreed to work in the film, the funding came through in no time. Her willingness to participate in this film will make it much more widely accessible. A large part of the audience, which would otherwise not go to watch a social issue oriented film will now do so because of Aishwarya. Naturally, the issue will also get more exposure because of her high brand recognition.

I thank Aishwarya for lending herself to a film that is different and doesn’t just make her look pretty.

Aishwarya’s presence has benefitted the film in more than one way…
True. After Aishwarya agreed to work in the film, the funding came through in no time. Her willingness to participate in this film will make it much more widely accessible. A large part of the audience, which would otherwise not go to watch a social issue oriented film will now do so because of Aishwarya. Naturally, the issue will also get more exposure because of her high brand recognition.

I thank Aishwarya for lending herself to a film that is different and doesn’t just make her look pretty.

Does it worry you that people will be biased when they walk out after watching the film?
We hope that our film can change opinions. If they walk out of the film not feeling anything, then I have failed as a filmmaker. Whether they like or dislike it, agree or disagree with it, they can not be indifferent to it.

Well, I am to say that the movie has already got much media attention and going to be a classic one in Aishwarya Rai’s career. I hope that the movie will make a boom in both England and India.

The much awaited English movie Provoked is going to be released today in England. Aishwarya Rai acted this movie got a huge media attention from the very beginning of its production. The movie was appreciated well in the last year Cannes film festivals. This heart-broken movie is based on the true story of a Punjabi house wife, Kiranjit Ahluwalia, who killed her husband, was sentenced to life imprisonment. After 3 years of imprisonment, she could be able to come out of the prison with the help of Veronica Scott and a south Asia based social working group, Southall Black Sisters.

Having experienced the movie Kiranjit Ahluwalia herself cried and said that her frightening past came back at that time. She also stated that Aishwarya Rai’s performance in the movie was terrific. Express India reported:

When I first heard that Jag Mundhra wanted to make a film on my life, I was not interested. I wasn’t even keen to meet him. I was busy looking after my sons and with my job at London’s Royal Mail Post Office. I was slowly beginning to mend the broken pieces of my life. I was scared that the film would bring back memories of the past that I so desperately want to forget. But at the same time, there were so many things on domestic violence that I wanted to tell. I wanted to speak with women so that they know what to do when they encounter domestic violence. That’s why I wrote my autobiography (Circle of Light co-written with Rahila Gupta, on which Provoked is based). But all those who could not read the book can watch Provoked.

An actor like Aishwarya (Rai), who is such a big name in India, will probably spread my message more effectively in the country. She is such a good actor and portrayed me very nicely in the film. I met her once, on the last day of shooting Provoked. She was wearing a blue sari and I was surprised to see that she is so slim. We hugged each other and I wanted to discuss so many things with her. But there was so much of media around that we could hardly speak.

Some people had cautioned me that the film might not be a true representation of my life. Even I was unsure. But when I watched Provoked, I couldn’t hold back my tears. I cried throughout the film. I re-lived my past. I want my sons to watch the film as well, but at the same time I don’t want them to get upset.

I think this is a great honor for Aishwarya Rai as Kiranjit praised her acting in the movie. Moreover, Aishwarya’s marriage with Abhishek Bachchan also boosts the movie and helped the movie to come into the lime light.