Aishwarya Rai

Aishwarya Rai speaking Punjabi? That’s right, the star is all set to dub in Punjabi for her much-hyped film Provoked that will be released next month in six languages, including Spanish and maybe even French.

Producer J. Murli Manohar, who flew down from London this week to oversee the release on Feb 23, told: “We aren’t just releasing the film in its original English language, we’re also dubbing the film in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Punjabi and Spanish, and possibly a seventh language, French.”

Aishwarya will dub for the Hindi and Punjabi versions. “To expect Ash to dub in Tamil or Spanish is unrealistic. But she’s very enthusiastic about speaking in Punjabi for the first time,” said Manohar.

Provoked is based on the real life story of battered wife Kiranjit Ahluwalia who murdered her husband.

The linguistic blitzkrieg isn’t random. “Domestic violence isn’t just an Asian phenomenon. Through the presence of Aishwarya we want the message to reach every corner of the world,” said Manohar.

He intends to fly down the film’s distinguished British cast for the premiere.

“Miranda Richardson and Robbie Coltrane are expected to join Aishwarya for the Mumbai premiere. And, of course, the real Kiranjit Ahluwalia will attend it too. We’ll also have a lavish premiere at Leicester Square in London,” said Manohar.

Manohar is currently shooting Sajini, the most expensive Kannada film ever, in Bangalore

Revealing details, he said: ” ‘Sajini’ launches a new girl, Sharmila, with the very popular pinup boy Dhyaan. it’s the first Kannada love story to be shot in England. We’ve spared no expenses to make it the most upmarket Kannada film ever.”