Directed by Jag Mundhra, Provoked is a powerful drama based on the true story of Kiranjit Ahluwalia (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan) whose landmark legal battle redefined British law on domestic violence.

Presented by UK Asian Film Festival, this screening is part of our year-round Filmwallahs season and will be followed by a panel discussion around the themes of the film.

Directed by Jag Mundhra, Provoked is a powerful drama based on the true story of Kiranjit Ahluwalia, portrayed by Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Trapped in an abusive marriage in London, Kiranjit’s desperate act leads to a landmark legal battle that redefined British law on domestic violence.

With strong supporting performances from Nandita Das, Miranda Richardson, and Robbie Coltrane, the film is both harrowing and inspiring – a testament to resilience, justice, and the fight for dignity.

In English and Punjabi, with English subtitles.

About the Panel

Mumtaz Patel:

A mother of three, Mumtaz understands that our children reflect the emotional world we live in. Her own healing became a necessity – an act of interrupting generational pain so her daughters would not inherit the wound she once carried. Her journey became a choice to break the cycle so her children could grow with strength instead of silence.

Through Womentum CIC, she delivers culturally sensitive, transformational workshops and lifelong support that help women and girls rise into leadership within their families and communities.

In her work, she gently brings awareness to the many forms of domestic abuse that are often normalised or dismissed emotional control, financial pressure, isolation, intimidation, and the quiet erosion of self-worth. By helping women recognise these patterns safely, she supports them in rebuilding confidence without placing them at further risk. Because when she heals, her home shifts, her family thrives, and the ripple effects are felt across the community.

Through this work, she seeks to ensure that the next mother, daughter, or friend does not endure the same unspoken suffering.

Zaitoon and Saliha:

Zaitoon (The Olive Branch Collective) and Saliha (The Ume Therapist) are qualified female Muslim therapists specialising in integrative and faith-rooted wellbeing.

Saliha holds PICSP and M.IPC qualifications in Islamic Psychology & Counselling and is dedicated to empowering women through an Islamic lens – integrating faith-based principles to help them heal, grow, and rediscover purpose with spiritual and emotional balance.

Zaitoon is a Muslim integrative therapist (PICSP, M.IPC) with a Diploma in Counselling & Applied Psychology. She supports women and young people (ages 11-18) through a holistic approach that is culturally sensitive, and blends faith-based principles with evidence-based counselling to nurture healing, resilience, and inner alignment of mind, heart, and soul.

Together, they work from Your Third Space – a women’s creative wellbeing hub located in Cobden House, Cobden Street, Leicester, LE1 2LB – offering a safe, nurturing environment where women and young people can explore healing, creativity, and personal transformation through faith, compassion, and grounded therapeutic support."

Rishii Chowdhury:

Rishii Chowdhury is a Family Law solicitor at Holland Family Law, Leicester offering comprehensive support across a broad spectrum of family law matters. He specialises in cases involving domestic abuse, private children disputes, and financial settlements arising from divorce and separation.

In recognition of his expertise, Rishii was awarded the Law Society’s Family Law Accreditation in 2024. He previously served as President of the Leicestershire Junior Lawyers Division from 2020 to 2022 and has cultivated a strong following among junior lawyers under his personal brand, “Legal Rish.” Prior to qualification, he was honoured with the prestigious “Trainee Solicitor of the Year” award by the Leicestershire Law Society in 2019.

Rishii is deeply committed to empowering his clients with advice that is not only legally robust and practical but also attuned to the emotional and personal challenges they face during some of life’s most difficult transitions.