Provoked, as we all know, is a true story, adapted from the autobiography 'Circle of Light' (by Rahila Gupta and Kiranjit Ahluwalia). It is the story of Kiranjit's trauma and triumph, the incredible tale of her abuse and acquittal. It compels each of us to think about the ugly and often unmentioned issue of wife abuse, prevalent both in modern and traditional societies.
The movie begins with A.R. Rahman's soulful background score; Madhu Ambat's expressive photography reveals a burning candle, light gradually spreading and the moving candle revealing framed memories of good times. Then the light falls on Deepak Ahluwalia (Naveen Andrews) who is in a drunken stupor; the candle falls on him, setting him aflame. We now see his wife, Kiranjit (Aishwarya Rai). Expectedly, we have to go into flashback mode to know more.
Kiranjit, a docile and submissive lass with a rural Punjabi background, comes to England in 1979 after marrying Deepak. She meekly submits to her alcoholic husband's increasing brutalities and abuses. He beats her black and blue, cheats, mistreats and abuses her physically, sexually and verbally, even pushing her down the stairs when she is pregnant. Finally, after putting up with this for 10 years, she sets him aflame when he is drunk and he dies.
Kiranjit is imprisoned for suspected murder. Since the trial fails to establish mitigating circumstances or a prolonged background of domestic violence, the jury finds her guilty and she is sentenced to life imprisonment. Kiranjit is actually relieved and begins her life in prison. Her cellmate Veronica Scott (Miranda Richardson) is protective and sympathizes with her. She is spending time in prison for stabbing her husband. Veronica has remarkable influence in and outside prison; her step-brother, Lord Edward Foster (Robbie Coltrane), a highly respected Queen's counsel, files Kiranjit's appeal. Her case is also taken up by a group of South Asian social workers headed by Radha (Nandita Das), running a poor non-profit organization called Southall Black Sisters. They publicize her plight, bringing it into the limelight, organizing rallies to gather public support for her freedom.
All these women bring about major changes in her life. She learns English in jail, gets to know sympathetic people who further her cause, and she learns about her own hidden strengths. In 1992, her crime is converted from murder to manslaughter, and British law changes its definition of "Provokation". The judiciary system (in what came to be known as the breakthrough 'Regina vs. Ahluvalia' trial) acquits Kiranjit. She is set free and reunited with her children.
Aishwarya Rai is stunning. Her performance, her expressive eyes, her body language, her dialogue delivery in Punjabi, natural look, behaviour in prison, signs of maturity, joy, fear, apprehension. Do observe her back straightening as her self confidence increases, her eyes looking shocked, grieved, frightened, confused, relieved and determined. She expresses and emotes, displaying frustration, anger, hatred, guilt and glimpses of happiness. This could well be her best performance till date.
Thankfully, the scenes depicting violence are underplayed and not too graphic, the beating scenes brief but effective. In the end, you come out of the theatre feeling more about the issue rather than the person. Provoked has undoubted commercial potential. The script is taut, acting is uniformly good and emotional quotient is extremely high. So Provoked is headed for box office success in India and abroad. Domestic violence, as we know, is a universal issue.
Naveen Andrews leaves a mark, but has little scope to portray his character better. Miranda Richardson is just great. Rebecca Pidgeon (the solicitor who argues her case in crown court and loses) is adequate, while Robbie Coltraine (Miranda's step-brother) is effective. Steve Mcfadden is
