Thanks to kayid for posting the link over in the spoiler theory forum; for those who prefer to remain unspoilt, here's the info...

Aishwarya [Rai] and Naveen have signed on to portray husband and wife in a film called Provoked. The film will be directed by Jag Mundhra and is an account of the true-life events that changed the laws in Britain in favour of recognising abuse of women leading them to murder their husband. Production is slated to begin at the end of April 2005 in London.

Sources: http://www.naveen-andrews.net/ , http://www.aishwarya-forever.com/

Given the subject matter, I think we can safely say that Naveen's character in this movie will make his evil king in Kama Sutra look positively cuddly.* :angel:

I can't find a thing about this on IMDb, even though it lists of ton of Rai's projects through 2006. I gotta say that the choice of director doesn't make me optimistic; looks like his oeuvre is C-grade "erotic thrillers," if you know what I mean.

Mundhra's IMDb page: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0612730/

He seems like a REALLY weird fit with Rai, who apparently refuses even to kiss onscreen. (Which is too bad, because otherwise I'm sure this would include sex between Naveen and "the most beautiful woman in the world."* :o)

I don't know what to think--but I'm thrilled that (even if this looks like a terrible movie in the making) Naveen is still getting big-screen roles, and this sounds as if he'll get a good amount of screentime. And it's great that he and Rai get along well enough to do multiple pictures together, because she's supposedly on the brink of becoming as huge in the English-speaking world as she is in India.

I hope this movie does better than Bride and Prejudice. It sounds interesting. I'm glad Aishwariya and Naveen are working together again. Aishwariya is my favorite actress. I have seen all of her indian movies. I'm glad she has started to do English films, so i'm looking forward to seeing it.

I hope this movie does better than Bride and Prejudice. It sounds interesting. I'm glad Aishwariya and Naveen are working together again. Aishwariya is my favorite actress. I have seen all of her indian movies. I'm glad she has started to do English films, so i'm looking forward to seeing it.

I'd be really interested in this (it's AR's first dramatic role in English, isn't it?), if the choice of director didn't worry me so much. I'm kind of surprised that she'd associate herself with a cheap product for one of her first English films. Naveen, well, I love him, but he did Rollerball and Mighty Joe Young, and he's said himself that he'll pretty much work in anything. (I hope that Lost gives him the opportunity to be more discriminating, poor guy!)

But I thought B&P was doing pretty well for what it is. It's still playing in theaters and I think it's moved to some of the smaller cities.

i wonder if this Provoked film is even real. It's weird to me that I can't find any info on IMDb. Do you know anything about that AR fansite? It seems very complete and legit, so I'd like to trust info from there.

B&P was a good movie kinda. The critics liked it! But, this movie doesn't seem like him, he's such a nice guy. Couldn't see him doing that. :'( But then again, just a movie!!! :laugh:

He is an actor, and it wouldnt be the first time he wasnt the "nice" guy in the movie. I like seeing
Naveen play different characters, good or bad. I can't find anything more about this one, tho.

Well, dur, stupid me. Kama Sutra. I gotta think before I post. :angel:

One of the things I admire in actors in general, and Naveen in particular, is range. I've seen him in four roles now (as Sayid, Kip in The English Patient, Raj Singh in Kama Sutra, and Balraj in B&P), and each of them is distinct. It's amazing that he can embody such very different characters. I think he could be very, very good and very, very scary as an abusive husband--IF he's actually in this flick!* :laugh: I still can't find any info, although the title is listed among Aishwarya's credits at her official web site. No mention of her costars, though.* :(

I read somewhere on Aish's website that Naveen plays her husband. She even talked about the movie in a recent interview. I think they just started production for the film.

That's the thing - i've seen Naveen in most of his roles (over a dozen at least) and no matter what
character he's playing, he BECOMES his character. Even in garbage like Double Vision, with his
personal charisma he comes alive on the screen. In roles such as the doctor in My Own Country
(quiet intensity) to the fun roles like "Wild West", this guy has such an amazing range. I dont care
what parts he plays, good, bad, whatever. He BRINGS IT TO THE TABLE. What a talent.

More info on the film from an interview with Aish:

http://mid-day.com/hitlist/2005/may/108654.htm

Miranda Richardson is costarring (bet she plays Aishwarya's lawyer after Aishwarya's character offs Naveen's). This is shaping up to be a better vehicle than I thought, although I still worry about the director. (The article includes a list of some of the "highlights" of his career. Snort!) Hopefully Naveen will get a good one-third to half of the movie to be eeeeeevil before he is justifiably slain.* :lol2:

Yes, all together now: Naveen, LAST at least one-third thru the movie! Maybe he is still going to
do that other project after this....since this one doesn't sound like it will consume a lot of time...
(after all, we're hoping he's in one third of the movie, it could even be less)....

Hmmm. Since the movie is primarily about how the law was changed I would venture to guess that he will be killed eary on in the movie. Most of it will probably be about how the wife fought to save herself and get the law changed.
You know, court scenes, jailhouse conversations, etc.

There may be flashbacks to how it all happened which would give him more screen time. We can only hope.

I figure that he'll have to get some decent screentime, either at the start of the movie or through flashbacks (yes! flashbacks! we love flashbacks!), because they will need to show how Ashwariya's character is driven to her justified crime. So we'll probably see her progression from innocent bride to abused wife in fairly horrific detail. Should be a juicy role for Naveen, even if not a huge one.

Ok, raise your hand if you will cry if he dies... even in lost, or if you cried when he died in Rollerball...

*Raises hand high.* 8)

The film is based on an English case which did change domestic laws and allow provocation as a basis for killing someone.* Naveen's character is killed by his wife (Ash) after ten years of an abusive marriage.* Having had an argument she then waited some time and threw petrol on his bed and set it alight, he died in hospital a few days later.* She was imprisoned but released on appeal after 4 yrs.* The gist of the prosecution was that as she waited some time before setting the bed alight it was not a crime of passion or self defense but pre-meditated.* There was a big campaign to have her released which caused quite a bit of controversy at the time.* I understand Robbie Coltrane will be playing one of the lawyers.

wow, look, the tables are turned! Kip becomes "The English Patient" with the burns!
(I know it's not funny, but it is interesting!)

Wow, he gets burned to death? I wonder how that scene will be... dear god that is weird. :'( But, it seems like he deserved it in the movie. Wow... really weird. I am very weirded-out right now. Goodbye...
Weird weird weird weird weird weird.

The film is based on an English case which did change to domestic laws and allow provocation as a basis for killing someone.* Naveen's character is killed by his wife (Ash) after ten years of an abusive marriage.* Having had an argument she then waited some time and threw petrol on his bed and set it alight, he died in hospital a few days later.* She was imprisoned but released on appeal after 4 yrs.* The gist of the prosecution was that as she waited some time before setting the bed alight it was not a crime of passion or self defense but pre-meditated.* There was a big campaign to have her released which caused quite a bit of controversy at the time.* I understand Robbie Coltrane will be playing one of the lawyers.


That sounds mildly familiar. Wasn't there a movie called The Burning Bed years and years ago? I'm sure it wasn't based on the same case, though, because the wife was played by Farrah Fawcett.

Different case, a lot more recent and English, albeit involving a Pakistani family. Other than that it has similarities.............

Different case, a lot more recent and English, albeit involving a Pakistani family. Other than that it has similarities.............

Whoops, somehow I missed this. Thanks for the info. How tragic and horrifying that there's more than one case of this nature.

Here's a brief article with more about Provoked...

From The National Ledger ( http://www.nationalledger.com/artman/publish/article_2726706.shtml )

Lost Actor Naveen Andrews Goes Over to the Dark Side
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

By Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jenel
Sep 14, 2005

"Lost" regular Naveen Andrews went to the dark side this hiatus -- playing a malicious, abusive husband in the upcoming indie film "Provoked" -- and he's glad to be back.

"I've always thought there was something slightly psychotic about me anyway, so it was good to sort of get the chance to release that in a positive way," says Andrews. "The film is based on a true story about Kiranjit, the lady who ended up burning her husband after being abused by him throughout the marriage.

She was jailed for life and was released after two years inside because she was provoked. She put up with it (the abuse) for almost 10 years." He says the beleaguered housewife finally snapped after "an act of violence that was particularly savage, that also involved rape. It was just one step too far, and she took action."

The actor, who plays the former Iraqi soldier Sayid on "Lost" says, "It was great to do a completely different character. It was something I've never done before, but strangely enough, it wasn't that hard to summon up at all. I found it quite easy to go there, as it were, and I thought there's something disturbing about that."

However, he adds, it was worth going to that dark place if it sheds any light at all on spousal abuse. "You know, without wanting to offend everybody on the continent," says the British native of Indian descent, "India is a country where women are second-class citizens, and wife beating seems to be the national pastime. And, of course, domestic violence affects all societies -- in the west and in the east."

Andrews -- who also shot the upcoming ABC miniseries "The Ten Commandments" this hiatus -- says he's glad to be back amidst the more familiar sturm and drang of "Lost." "It was great to get into something as dramatically different as 'Provoked' for a short period of time then to come back to 'Lost.'"

That sounds mildly familiar. Wasn't there a movie called The Burning Bed years and years ago? I'm sure it wasn't based on the same case, though, because the wife was played by Farrah Fawcett.


I was just about to say that. I do remember the movie. I am so glad for Naveen. :biggrin:

awsome :D it will be cool to see the LOST people in other things too, I saw William Mapathor in hte commercial for threshold, and almost died, lol

Me too! I was like...EVIL ETHAN! And my mom almost had a heartattack. It was quite funny...although now she thinks I am getting crazier.

Since I'm bumping threads, I thought I would add to this one that there is a UK release date for Provoked--January 2006. Nothing on IMDb so far about a US release though. :(

"You know, without wanting to offend everybody on the continent," says the British native of Indian descent, "India is a country where women are second-class citizens, and wife beating seems to be the national pastime."


Sigh. Naveen almost specializes in saying things that offend people. It's refreshing in a way, but . . . that may be why they don't let him out too much to go on the talk shows.

These are from memory so they may not be word for word:

On LOST: "I surprise myself sometimes. Sometimes it's actually good."

On television in general: "TV is a drug to keep people from thinking."

On Bollywood: "Bollywood movies are a tool to support the caste system."

On his own movies:
Kama Sutra: "It was pretty, but what was it about?
The Bombay Boys: "The less said about that one, the better."
(Boy, I would have loved to hear what he had to say about Rollerball!)

"You know, without wanting to offend everybody on the continent," says the British native of Indian descent, "India is a country where women are second-class citizens, and wife beating seems to be the national pastime."


Sigh. Naveen almost specializes in saying things that offend people. It's refreshing in a way, but . . . that may be why they don't let him out too much to go on the talk shows.

These are from memory so they may not be word for word:

On LOST: "I surprise myself sometimes. Sometimes it's actually good."

On television in general: "TV is a drug to keep people from thinking."

On Bollywood: "Bollywood movies are a tool to support the caste system."

On his own movies:
Kama Sutra: "It was pretty, but what was it about?
The Bombay Boys: "The less said about that one, the better."

You forgot the classic one about Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones (something like people don't care if he looks like he's 70 [in fact he's only 60] to her 35).

(Boy, I would have loved to hear what he had to say about Rollerball!)

:lol2: Maybe there are some things even Naveen knows to keep his mouth shut about!

On LOST: "I surprise myself sometimes. Sometimes it's actually good."

He was speaking about HIS acting, not the show. He can't stand to watch himself. Says he ruins every scene he's in.

He was speaking about HIS acting, not the show. He can't stand to watch himself. Says he ruins every scene he's in.

Shows what he knows. ;)

He's just shy and self-conscious! :roflmao:

Oh, I also forgot the quotes where he says how much he hates London.

Oh, I also forgot the quotes where he says how much he hates London.

LOL, and that the English are all drunks. (Re: the "pub culture.")

He was speaking about HIS acting, not the show. He can't stand to watch himself. Says he ruins every scene he's in.


I was really surprised to hear (from one of Naveen's recent talk show appearances) that his cringing at seeing himself onscreen actually PREDATES his acting career . . . he said that since he and his brother always looked so unhappy in his family's home movies, that turned him off on the whole idea of seeing himself on film.

Lucky for us, he became an actor anyway!

I was really surprised to hear (from one of Naveen's recent talk show appearances) that his cringing at seeing himself onscreen actually PREDATES his acting career . . . he said that since he and his brother always looked so unhappy in his family's home movies, that turned him off on the whole idea of seeing himself on film.

Lucky for us, he became an actor anyway!

It's really hard to watch yourself perform. My friend sometimes video tapes high school plays that I'm in, and it's so difficult to objectively view my performance when all the time I'm realizing that everything I was doing was coming out nothing like the way I pictured it in my head. I can't even listen to my own voice on the answering machine. gah.

But as for that nonsense about him ruining every scene?! Bah. He makes a scene better by just STANDING there!:wub:

Ladies:

Since this was where we started a discussion of Naveen's (perhaps excessive) bluntness, I thought you might appreciate the latest. Naveen was asked about The Incident (and I'm not talking about the one Dr. Candle mentioned). Got this at Television Without Pity:

Maggie Grace and Naveen Andrews were on Access Hollywood last night. They were appearing at a "Break-out Stars Awards" ceremony in L.A. Maggie was saying how much she misses being on Lost and Naveen chimed in with "Yeah, we want her back!" Naveen was asked about [The Incident] and he replied "I haven't seen them and I don't have their phone numbers but if I did, I would have a lot to say to them."

Ladies:

Naveen was asked about [The Incident] and he replied "I haven't seen them and I don't have their phone numbers but if I did, I would have a lot to say to them."

I heard him say the words on Access Hollywood last night. He sounded like a very concerned friend, not at all judgemental. (which you might think from just reading the words)

Of course he would have a lot to say.. He's been sober for seven years and is very outspoken and happy about it. Perhaps he can be of help to at least the one of the two for whom this seems to be a continuing problem.

What exactly is [The Incident] - if it's allowed to be said?? Apparently, I am without clue....

What exactly is [The Incident] - if it's allowed to be said?? Apparently, I am without clue....
nope not allowed to be said. i suggest searching the tabloids b/c we are NOT discussing
it on this site. and even though Naveen commented on it, he is not to be considered
a source for what went on. he of course is commenting on heresay/gossip and other reports.

nope not allowed to be said. i suggest searching the tabloids b/c we are NOT discussing
it on this site. and even though Naveen commented on it, he is not to be considered
a source for what went on. he of course is commenting on heresay/gossip and other reports.

Point taken. Our lips are sealed. :)

Though I can't speak for LMM, I think her point was less about (gossiping about) The Incident itself and more about Naveen making his opinions (whatever they may be based on) known in his inimitable way....

Maybe we need a "Look What Naveen Said This Time!" thread. :lol2:

Edited to add:

Speaking of our boy putting his foot in his mouth, E!Online's The Awful Truth has some more quotes from the Breakthrough of the Year Awards (http://www.eonline.com/Gossip/Awful/Daily2005/051207b.html).

Genteel Lost boy Naveen Andrews and I got to talkin' while we were taking a breather. First, Naveen told me fans aren't as hot for Lost as they once were. "I think it's kind of slowed up a bit. It's not as prevalent as it was." Quelle horreur! Then he gave me the skinny on how actors handles neurosis: "Most of us become alcoholics. Or alcoholics who don't drink."

:lipsseal:

Ted Casablanca also got a snippet from Maggie:

Maggie-doll, gimme a red carpet don't. "Don't trip," she quipped. "I did that tonight several times. Naveen caught me, though. It was very romantic, like Notorious or something. It was like one of those old black-and-white Spencer Tracy movies."

She seems so cute. I warned her about those shoes! But {gasp!} I can't believe she doesn't know that it was Cary Grant, and not Spencer Tracy, who was in Notorious. (My favorite movie of all time, and you know, if they were ever foolish enough to remake it [again], I can so see Naveen in the Devlin role.)

nope not allowed to be said. i suggest searching the tabloids b/c we are NOT discussing
it on this site. and even though Naveen commented on it, he is not to be considered
a source for what went on. he of course is commenting on heresay/gossip and other reports.

So sorry for asking. I truly had no idea what was going on - whether people were talking about something good, bad, or indifferent. I apologize to anyone who was offended by my asking. I hope I didn't cause a problem. I really like it that the Fuse has remained such a positive forum to read and post on.

Happy New Year, everybody!

Has anyone heard anything about a release date for this flick?

IMDb just lists January 2006, which as you have probably notice, is half over with no word.