It's a reality show It was the real life story of a victim of domestic violence that inspired Jag Mundhra to make a film
PROVOKED Jag Mundhra: `Stories on social issues spur creativity' The heart-rending story of Kiranjit Ahluwalia, a victim of domestic violence, provoked Jag Mundhra to make Provoked. Kiranjit, a young Punjabi bride in London, was harassed, beaten and sexually abused by her husband. For 10 years, she suffered it all with no support from her in-laws and her own family. Finally, one day, she took the bold step of putting an end to the torture by setting fire to her husband's bedclothes while he was sleeping. She was arrested and sentenced for murder. With two kids and no knowledge of the outside world, sympathetic friends and women's organisations came to her rescue and appealed for a re-trial. Her case made English legal history when in a landmark judgment, she was found guilty of manslaughter (not murder), sentenced to three years and four months jail (she had already served the term) and was released immediately. Jag who likes to make realistic films (remember Kamla and Baawander) said he was shocked to find widespread domestic violence even today in developed societies. "Real life stories that focus on social issues spur creativity in me," said Mundhra at the Duchess Club event recently. He was in Chennai to work on the music of Provoked with A.R. Rehman. "The idea to portray the extraordinary struggle of an ordinary woman on the big screen came when I met Rahila Gupta at the premiere of Baawander in London. Rahila is Kiranjit's friend, confidante, biographer (Circle of Fire) and a social activist. She has also co-scripted this film," added Mundhra. Working with Ash Mundhra approached Ash to play the protagonist. "She has a global appeal and is the strong selling point of the film. She instantly agreed when she read the script. Despite her schedules being chock-a-block, she gave bulk dates to complete the film in the shortest possible time. She used to work for almost 14 hours a day, trying her best to depict the pathos and pain of the victim. She has blended herself into the role so well that her glamorous image will not come before your eyes while watching the film." The social activists who bailed Kiranjit out of the situation are represented by Nandita Das in the film. This is Nandita's third Mundhra film. She had played the title role in Baawander (based on the story of Sanwari from a Rajasthan village who was gang raped for crusading against child marriages) and Kamla (based on Vijay Tendulkar's play). Naveen Andrews (last seen in Bride and Prejudice) plays Kiranjit's husband. When asked how he proposed to take the issue of domestic violence to the masses, as his films are mostly meant for the foreign and NRI audience, Mundhra quipped: "I know my films don't appeal to the poor and the illiterate, who anyway prefer watching Mujhse Shaadi Karoge. But at least the social activists who will come to watch can make a difference to society." Mundhra is also known for making thrillers and hot romantic flicks Tainted Love, Irresistible Impulse, Improper conduct, Sexual Malice, Open House... He smiled: "What's wrong? It's not pornography. Sex is as much part of human life and I just portray that aspect of our existence. As for thrillers, they bring in the money to make films on subjects close to my heart." Hailing from a middle-class Marwari family of Kolkata, Jagmohan (now Jag) does not feel embarrassed to talk about his past. "We used to share the loo with 10 other families. After graduation, I went to the U.S. to do a Ph.D. in marketing of motion pictures. I taught at various prestigious universities before getting into filmmaking. I was told that I was not qualified to get into the creative side. That again provoked me to wield the megaphone." Having travelled around the world, one can feel the multi-culture influence in his films. "For a filmmaker, the world is his oyster. You need to have interest in everything from politics to page 3 parties. But it's sad that most of us are moving away from the past. We have a history but we don't know it." He continued: "I am lucky. Few people get the opportunity to do what I have been doing over the years, making the kind of films I want to. I can't force myself to do something that is against my sensibilities. I want to slot my films in the small but not much used space between commercial and art cinema. I don't believe that the audience is not mature enough to tap this segment." Quite truly, his movies are not the kind to set the box office on fire. Nevertheless Jag Mundhra has been at it for more than 20 years. It's been a real long journey. CHITRA SWAMINATHAN http://www.hindu.com/mp/2005/11/08/stories/2005110800710100.htm "We neglect our cities at our peril. 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