What did you feel when you learnt that a film was to be made on your life?
I was shocked and very surprised. I was very excited to know that Aishwarya Rai
is going to play my role. I was also happy because I always wanted to raise this issue. I wanted people to be more aware about such problems.Does Provoked cover your entire life story or are there any pieces of fiction in the film?
Provoked is very much a true story and it is based on my life. It is a very nice film.
Could you tell us about this incident of your life on which Provoked in based?
Provoked is completely based on my life. It is my story and it shows how domestic violence still exists in our society and how it is affecting lives of women. The film has truth in it and I think everybody should go and watch this film and know about the domestic violence that exists even today and how it ruins a woman’s life.
Provoked is my story and it shows how domestic violence still exists in our society and how it is affecting lives of women
Tell us about your book ‘The Circle of Light’
The book is an autobiography and it speaks everything about my life. It is a 500 pages thick book and the film is about 2 hr 10 mins long. But Jagmohanji has tried to put in everything in this film. The film shows a lot of truth, it shows how Southhall Black Sisters (SBS) started a campaign for me, how barristers were involved in my case, other women organizations from all over England stood by me. Even smaller details like how the women groups came to court everyday etc. are also very well shown in the film.
But wasn’t Provoked criticized by SBS members for altering certain facts?
It is very difficult to please everyone. I wrote my autobiography in 500 pages whereas Jagmohan Mundhra had to make a 2 hr film out of it. But I can say that he tried to incorporate as much as he can in the film.
Has Aishwarya Rai done justice in portraying your character in the film?
Aishwarya has done a very good job and I am really impressed. Ash has done justice to the role of Kiranjit Ahluwalia.
Domestic violence is a serious issue all over the world. Do you think Provoked will help is creating awareness among women?
I hope Provoked will do that. In fact, that is one of the reasons why Provoked has been made. Domestic violence happens everyday in every corner of this world. So, what Jagmohanji and I are trying to say is that the way I got support from thousands of people, even you can gather support. The government should do something about this; they should educate women so that they don’t suffer all this. Thousands of women suffer every year because of dowry, which is wrong. We are in the 21st century and if our women are suffering so much then this is very wrong.
Are you personally taking any steps to promote this film?
That’s exactly why I am in India. If I could take my voice to these women then why not? Through media and by giving interviews, I would definitely want to do that. I want everybody here to see this film.
Read
This book was published in UK in 1997 with name "Circle of Light" by HarperCollins. Now HarperCollins Publisher's India has released this book with name "Provoked". This costs Rs 295 (though printed price is £8.99). Book is in paperback with 408 pages.
This book is a narration by Kiranjit Ahluwalia herself. Written in a very simple but effective way this book induces a chill and fear in the minds of the reader while going through the ways she was tortured by her husband, her mother in law and most important the circumstances. She lift curtain from the ugly face of our rational values which restricts women to raise voice against domestic violence. Even when she was getting publicity and support from all over the world for her release her family members were worried about izzat (honor) of the family. No body cared about her. She virtually fought alone. It’s a must read for all.
Here is the synopsis of the book for more intellectual species:
Born into a privileged family in India, Kiranjit Ahluwalia came to England in 1979 to be married to a man she hardly knew. The next ten years were to be a nightmare of almost daily, physical, mental and sexual violence at the hands of her husband. There was no one she could turn to for help and support. Domestic violence was a taboo subject for many Asians in Britain, and family honor was at stake for anyone who went outside the family for help. Kiranjit, in desperation, killed the man who had tortured her for so long. Bewildered, poorly advised and speaking little English, she was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder. In prison, she unexpectedly found a degree of freedom she had never known in the outside world. For the first time she was safe from beatings and abuse, and was able to enjoy the friendship and solidarity of other women who were in a similar situation.
Meanwhile, a campaign organized by Southall Black Sisters, a women's group operating on a shoestring budget, to draw attention to her plight, was gathering momentum. Media coverage of her case had made Kiranjit something of a 'cause celebre' and she attracted many prominent supporters, including Diana, Princess of Wales who urged her to write this book. She was released amid scenes of rejoicing in September 1992 when her conviction for murder was reduced to manslaughter on appeal. Regina v Ahluwalia has become legal history because it was a landmark ruling that paved the way for other women in Kiranjit's situation.
Posted by: Amit Sharma | April 3, 2007 5:03 AM | Permalink to Comment