Ash peels off her make-up on screen
by: Uma Da Cunha
- mumbaimirror.com
The question asked most often on May 18 was whether Aishwarya Rai was going to grace the world market screening in Cannes of Jagmohan Mundhra's Provoked in which she stars. She was to be a major attraction for sure as ambassador of a hair cosmetic range.
There are huge posters of Rai all over the festival streets and venues. But would she be there for Provoked? The rumour was that the debacle of Mistress of Spices had made her doubly cautious about promoting any film in which she starred. One also heard that a print of the film had been rushed from London to Chennai a few days ago (where she was shooting for Mani Ratnam's Guru) to gain her verdict. What was it: thumbs up, or down?
The genial Jagmohan Mundhra arrived at the film's cocktail reception to say all was well. Aishwarya arrived looking slim and gorgeous, in a waist-tight black gown, with a long trail which Mundhra studiously avoided treading on, as he followed her. She was punctual, gracious and obviously all for this film. The first person she embraced was the quiet, understated and astonishingly courageous Kiranjit Ahluwalia, on whose life the film is based.
Provoked, the third film in Mundhra's trilogy of women-centric films, is based on the Rahila Gupta book The Circle of Light. It concerns a true event in London in 1989. A Punjabi woman (Ahluwalia, now an activist herself, living with her children in London) grabbed the headlines when she set her husband on fire after undergoing ten years of domestic violence. Her landmark case formed the basis of a redefinition of the word 'provoked' in British law. The NGO, Southhall Black Sisters, fighting for the rights of Asian and Afro-Caribbean women, came to her rescue.
“I have been aiming to make this film for three years,” said Mundhra. He knew that the film's grim theme would make financing difficult. Then Sunanda Murali Manohar in London came on board. He talked to Aishwarya, who he knew well, about playing the title role. She found the prospect intriguing from the word go. “I owe this film entirely to Aishwarya,” acknowledges Mundhra, “Without her go-ahead I would have had problems with cast and funding. The film would not have been made.”
Aishwarya redeems herself on many levels in Provoked, most importantly, in her underplayed portrayal. Second, her commitment to a theme that is devoid of glamour and glitz in the way Bollywood (and Hollywood) adores.
In Provoked, Aishwarya's performance is a complete contrast to anything she has done, one in which she is a mute, resigned sufferer of brutality and betrayal by her husband. For the most part, she is plainly dressed, minus make-up. Her role demands an intense internalised performance, which Rai delivers. Within minutes, the viewer forgets that she is the world beauty we know. She remains a submissive, quivering and questioning victim for almost the entire film, silently expressing her inner conflict and turmoil. The fiery activist defending her is Nandita Das and Naveen Andrews is the husband.
Related Links:
05/18/06 Indian biggies target Cannes mart - indiaenews.com
05/18/06 Cannes is a high for Ash - timesofindia.com
05/18/06 Ash to promote movie at Cannes - ibnlive.com
05/15/06 Queen of Bollywood turns into battered wife
05/15/06 For your eyes only - mumbaimirror.com
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
Provoked: News Updates
Aishwarya at Cannes 2006: Photos
Cannes 2002-5: Photos
