By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, April 15 (IANS) Prolific international producer J. Murli

Manohar has big plans for his latest film "Provoked" starring Aishwarya

Rai. The true life biopic on battered wife Jasmeet Ahluwalia will be

premiered at the Cannes Film Festival this May.

" 'Provoked' has been bought for distribution by an independent

American company, Lee Daniels Entertainment, who distributed 'Monster's

Ball' - the film that got Halle Berry the Oscar (for best actress).

"In fact, there are some striking similarities between the two

housewives played by Rai and Berry. Both are about the struggle for

survival with dignity. My director Jagmohan Mundra and I are hoping for

a similar impact for 'Provoked' in the West," Manohar told IANS.

Along with "Provoked", Manohar will also premiere at Cannes his

other film, "Infinite Justice", about the terrorist killing of American

journalist Daniel Pearl.

"So it's two true biopics for us at Cannes this year."

Next, the producer will go into "Lady Godiva", a period bio-drama

with Charlie Chaplin's granddaughter Kiera Chaplin in the title role

and Baz Taylor as director.

Back home, Manohar will now produce a lavish Kannada film. "I've

made several Tamil films. But never a Kannada film."

He plans to remake one of his Tamil hits, "Jodi", into Kannada with

the on-the-rise Dhyaan in the lead.

"I have the music rights for A.R. Rahman's score in Priyadarshan's

'Doli Saja Ke Rakhna'. I have already taken Rahman's permission to use

it in the Kannada film."