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.
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