Cast: Aishwarya Rai, Naveen Andrews, Nandita Das and Miranda Richardson Director: Jagmohan Mundhra
Synopsis: The film tells the true story of London based Kiranjit Ahluwalia (Aishwarya Rai) who after her lonely struggle in an abusive 10-year marriage to Deepak (Naveen Andrews) retaliates by burning her violent husband to death. Convicted for murder, she is sentenced for life imprisonment. Her lawyer fails to get her justice because a shaken Kiranjit refuses to speak in her own defense in the court of law. Radha Dalal (Nandita Das), an activist who runs the Southhall Black Sisters, an NGO that supports the cause of women who have suffered at the hands of their spouses comes out to help Kiranjit.
While in jail as Kiranjit is learning to come to terms with life's harsh realities, outside the prison walls Radha and her group starts creating awareness amongst people about how Kiranjit was the real victim and not her husband. She gets timely help from a big lawyer Lord Edward Foster (Robbie Coltrane) who is the brother of Kiran's cell mate Veronica (Miranda Richardson). The constable who had earlier given a false testimony also stands up for Kiran. Finally Kiran gets justice after 3 and half years of imprisonment.
Provoked is inspired by Kiranjit Ahluwalia's biography Circle of Light by Rahila Gupta, a book which traces her lonely struggle in her abusive marriage and the subsequent events following it. Rahila has also co written the script with Carl Austin and the end result is as absorbing as the book. The deliberate slow pacing and unfolding of events in flash back mode work in the film's favour. But at times you do feel that the reasons behind Deepak who is initially shown as loving and caring hubby suddenly turning sadistically vicious could have been more elaborate.
Jagmohan Mundhra notorious for his sleazy Hollywood movies in the past, graduates to being a sensitive filmmaker who is adept at handling such an insightful subject. He extracts fine natural performances from his principal cast and delivers a technically competent product.
Aishwarya in a non glamorous avatar gives in her best and comes out with an award winning performance. Some of her scenes such as her first meeting with the kids after being jailed or her awkward initial interactions with the jail inmates and finally her small speech post her freedom clearly exhibit her improved acting prowess. Naveen Andrews in a brief role is convincingly menacing. Nandita Das as the firebrand activist is a pro in handling such roles and delivers yet another good act. Miranda Richardson is extremely likeable. Robbie Coltrane (famous as Rubeus Hagrid in the Harry Potter series) is first-rate.
Provoked is not the right kind of film for movie goers seeking just pure entertainment, but for those who love to see honestly executed realistic films it definitely doesn't disappoint on any counts. It tells the untold story of perhaps thousands of silently suffering women in India and abroad and are awaiting justice.
Provoked: Well Executed
Provoked is inspired by Kiranjit Ahluwalia's biography Circle of Light by Rahila Gupta, a book which traces her lonely struggle in her abusive marriage and the subsequent events following it. Rahila has also co written the script with Carl Austin and the end result is as absorbing as the book. The deliberate slow pacing and unfolding of events in flash back mode work in the film's favour. But at times you do feel that the reasons behind Deepak who is initially shown as loving and caring hubby suddenly turning sadistically vicious could have been more elaborate. 
Aishwarya in a non glamorous avatar gives in her best and comes out with an award winning performance. Some of her scenes such as her first meeting with the kids after being jailed or her awkward initial interactions with the jail inmates and finally her small speech post her freedom clearly exhibit her improved acting prowess. Naveen Andrews in a brief role is convincingly menacing. Nandita Das as the firebrand activist is a pro in handling such roles and delivers yet another good act. Miranda Richardson is extremely likeable. Robbie Coltrane (famous as Rubeus Hagrid in the Harry Potter series) is first-rate. 