Aishwarya Rai in Provoked

Aishwarya Rai’s recently released English movie Provoked is now being screening in the theaters. The movie is based on domestic violence and Aishwarya Rai plays the protagonist role in the movie. Aishwarya Rai’s role is of a battered housewife who is a victim of her abusive husband. The movie is based on a true story of a Punjabi housewife named Kiranjit Ahluwalia. Kirajit came to England with her violated husband Deepak Ahluwalia and for 10 years of her married life, she used to be tortured by her husband both physically and mentally. Then in one night Kiranjit set her husband in fire and killed him. Charged of killing, Kiranjit was sent to jail and was sentenced to life imprisonment. However, the situation became more complex while her cellmate Veronica Scott insisted her brother Edward Foster to make plead to the court and after a long battle Kiranjit freed from Jail and came back to her simple life. News 24 reported:

The autobiography - Circle of Light - details how Ahluwalia was once threatened with a hot iron, which sparked the killing.

"This role is meant for Aishwarya. She looks coy and vulnerable and evokes empathy. I would say this is the best role of her career," said Bollywood expert Indu Mirani, editor of film website thirtymm.com.

Critics have often panned the former Miss World for her acting skills.

But this time, Rai, 33, has garnered praise for her realistic portrayal - a far cry from the trademark glitz of Bollywood films.

"Definitely, she has shown the pain of my life on her face," Ahluwalia told the Hindu newspaper. "She has done a very good job."

Ahluwalia was charged with murder in 1989 and sentenced to life, but the punishment was reduced after pressure from activists which put the spotlight on domestic abuse.

The movie is a special one for Aishwarya Rai as this is the first time she appears in glamour-less character and in an exploited role. I think the world would see an actress Aishwarya Rai rather than a beautiful Aishwarya Rai.