For your eyes only

For your eyes only

Jagmohan Mundhra's film, Provoked, is flown down to India from London… only for Aishwarya Rai

Subhash K Jha

I'll ensure Ash's participation in the marketing of Provoked

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 Chaddha 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."