For your eyes only
by: Subhash K. Jha
- mumbaimirror.com
Ever heard of a film being flown down to an actor because she is too busy to attend its screening? That's exactly what enterprising producer J. Murli Manohar is doing.
"I'm taking my film, Provoked, to Chennai where Ash is shooting for Mani Ratnam. It's very important for her to see the film because I want her to promote it. She'll also be representing it along with me at Cannes later this month," reveals Murli.
Incidentally, Aishwarya couldn't watch Paul Berges' The Mistress of Spices because of her work schedule and was therefore in no position to promote the film. It's debatable whether The Mistress… would've been less disastrous if its leading lady had helped in its marketing. But, whenever director Paul Berges and his wife Gurinder Chadha gave interviews to the western and Indian press, they were invariably asked why the leading lady was missing.
The makers of Provoked certainly don't want an instant-replay of the The Mistress… scenario.
"I'm very clear about the fact that Ash is the soul of Provoked," says Murli. "The film is all about her, so I'll ensure Ash's participation in it. In fact after she watches the film in Chennai later this week, she'll accompany me to Cannes where it's is being premiered. I've already arranged a press conference at Cannes with Ash."
Murli is unperturbed by the the cynicism of naysayers. "My director Jagmohan Mundra and I don't think Ash's international career has suffered because of The Mistress of Spices," he says. "In fact, this should be her real international launch."
Related Links:
05/14/06 Provoked among Indian films to be featured at Cannes
04/26/06 'We are waiting to unveil Provoked at Cannes' - mid-day.com
04/25/06 Mundhra: My trilogy ends with Provoked - hindustantimes.com
04/18/06 Cannes Calling - timesofindia.com
04/12/06 Tormented, yet standing tall - telegraphindia.com
04/11/06 'Provoked' to be premiered at Cannes - deccanherald.com
02/11/06 Provoked: Ash in action - indiatimes.com
02/04/06 'Provoked' to premiere at Cannes 2006 - mumbaimirror.com
Provoked: News Updates
