CROSSOVER PRODUCTIONS AND MEDIA ONE GLOBAL LIMITED PRESENT PROVOKED
A UK/ Bollywood co-production funded by UK tax incentives

CrossOver Productions in conjunction with Media One Global Limited is proud to announce its forthcoming release of the eagerly anticipated movie, Provoked.

This UK/ Bollywood co-production is a product of a UK scheme that has received support from UK government ministers. The original scheme was launched on 9th February 2004 in the presence of The Rt. Hon. Patricia Hewitt MP. It has been developed to open the gateway for British investment into Bollywood cinema and to change the perception of Bollywood in the UK.

Investors associated with CrossOver Productions comprise the largest foreign investor group in Bollywood cinema. These investors have successfully brought Bollywood to Britain by applying over £50 million, which has been invested in 19 UK/ Bollywood co-productions.

The preliminary success of the film’s fundraising programme underlies that the British Bollywood film sector is growing from strength to strength, carving a place for itself at the forefront of the UK’s movie industry.

Provoked trails the true life of Kiranjit Ahluwalia, the story of the Asian woman who shook up the British judicial system winning justice for women subjected to domestic violence, rape and sexual abuse. The cast includes Aishwarya Rai, Miranda Richardson, Naveen Andrews, Rebecca Pidgeon, Nandita Das, Deborah Moore and Robbie Coltrane.

One of the other films being produced, as part of the collaboration between Media One Global Limited and Cross Over Productions is Sonia, a life story ofSonia Gandhi who came to India as a young Italian for the love of her life, but stayed on for the love of the land.

Commenting at the initial launch, The Rt. Hon. Patricia Hewitt said:

"This scheme is good news……for the British film industry. The facilities and infrastructure, which the UK offers filmmakers, are second to none. This is reflected in the figures - last year our film industry attracted over £700 million in inward investment and created over 6,000 additional jobs, taking the total employed in the sector to more than 57,000.

“This scheme will build on this progress, by helping to consolidate links between two of the world's most vibrant film markets. In attracting investors, I hope the scheme will help to boost jobs and productivity."

Raj Saxena of CrossOver Productions comments:

“Bollywood like all things Indian is experiencing huge growth on both a national and international platform. It is great that the UK tax incentives are allowing British investors to participate in the Bollywood boom. I am very grateful for The Rt. Hon. Patricia Hewitt’s continual support.”

Dr. J. Murali Manohar, a director of Media One Global Limited comments:

“Provoked and Sonia have initiated the trend of producing quality, mainstream films with an Indian subject matter, that can be presented and appreciated by a worldwide audience. Provoked is a story about fate and destiny and an individual’s futile struggle. One in four women will be a victim of domestic violence in their lifetime and through this film we hope to create more awareness among women on the support available to them to get out and help themselves before its too late.”