With a career-spanning 25 years and 29 feature films, director Jagmohan Mundhra has helmed small-scale independent films instead of the big budget Bollywood musicals more commonly associated with Indian directors. The now LA and London-based filmmaker first came to public attention in 1984 when Kamla shocked audiences who weren't quite ready to see his film about India's domestic trade in human slavery. This was followed in 2000 by Bhawandar (The Sandstorm), the controversial real-life story of an illiterate Rajasthani gang rape victim who took her aggressors to trial.

Making a daring return to screen, the director completes his trilogy of female-focussed films with Provoked, based on the true story of a Punjabi housewife named Kiranjit Ahluwalia, who killed her husband by dousing him in petrol and setting him on fire but was later freed in a landmark court case that redefined the word 'Provocation' in the case of battered women.

What motivated you to make a film based on Kiranjit's traumatic life-story?

Pragna Patel of Southall Black Sisters had come to the screening of Bawandar in London in 2001 where she presented me with Kiranjit's autobiography, Circle of Light, which I carried to Los Angeles. What had really inspired me to pursue this project was one line in Circle of Light in which, when asked how she feels after being convicted of a life sentence, Kiranjit replies 'I feel free'.

A lot of people were surprised about the casting of beautiful model-turned-actress Aishwarya Rai as Kiranjit Aluwalia. Why did she fit the bill?

Aishwarya's beauty has been her blessing and her curse. But one is willing to look beyond that. Because of her bedazzling looks, most roles she has been given in the past are of a gorgeous clothes horse, fluttering her eyelashes and dancing away to glory. I felt that hope of a new life, pain of betrayal, love and longing for her children, joy of finding a new life etc would be conveyed beautifully by her expressive eyes, without the help of much dialogue.

Didn't you worry Aishwarya's Bollywood glamorous image may go against her depicting an abused British Asian housewife?

No. As a matter of fact, the more beautiful the wife is, the more insecure the husband becomes, which is one of the motivations for abuse. Aishwarya playing a role contrary to her glamorous Bollywood image has created a curiosity factor that has generated so much buzz for the film that the issue of domestic violence will be getting that much more exposure and that is a good thing.

Why did you not want Aishwarya to meet Kiranjit before shooting the film?

It is my experience that actors subconsciously start imitating mannerisms, hairstyles and clothing when they meet a character they are asked to portray on the screen. I wanted Aishwarya to be free to capture the spirit of the character and not burdened by creating resemblance.

What kind of input did Kiranjit Alhuwalia have in the making of Provoked?

Beyond that fact that film is based on her book, Kiranjit had no other input in the script or making of the film. Kiranjit gave us the best compliment by vouching for the authenticity of the film's spirit. She has been extremely supportive and has the courage to accept the fact that even though she is the inspiration, the film is about many Kiranjits of the world who have permitted spousal abuse in the name of love.

How did she cope when she saw the film at the Cannes premiere in 2006?

She held Aishwarya's hand and cried at many poignant moments on the screen.

Why did you opt for Robbie Coltrane to play Lord Edward Foster, Kiranjit's barrister?

Robbie has the girth, the voice and the gravitas to play Queen's Council, and when he argues in the Royal Court of Justice in his booming voice and makes an impassioned plea on behalf of his client, it becomes totally believable that he will get his way.

How did Miranda and Robbie get on together on set?

Miranda and Robbie are very close to each other in real life. In fact Miranda considers him like a brother, so without knowing this when I cast Robbie as her stepbrother in the film, Miranda was very amused by the coincidence.

After Kamla and Bhawandar, Provoked completes your trilogy of female-oriented films. What is it about female protagonists that attract you as a filmmaker?

It is the triumph of the underdog that makes inspiring drama. Unfortunately, in our male dominated society, female protagonists have to face many hurdles as chips are already stacked against them from birth. When they succeed against all odds, it gives hope and inspiration to all who are watching.

How do you handle sections of the media constantly labelling you as a 'soft porn director' referring to your adult-themed movies such as Monsoon, Private Moments?

People who call me a soft porn director have never seen my films. There is an unfortunate tendency in some people to try to bring down achievements of others as that is easier to do than trying to achieve something yourself. If I have done 'soft-porn', then so have Stanley Kubric, Ang Lee, Shekhar Kapur, Michael Douglas, Sharon Stone, Angelina Jolie, Pedro Almodóvar, Glenn Close, Francis Ford Coppola, Antonio Banderas, Roman Polanski and Martin Scorsese - just to name a few. I am glad I am in the company of such world-renowned award winners.

Provoked opens in UK cinemas on Friday 6th April 2007.