After a string of erotic flicks like Tropical Heat, Tales of Kama Sutra and Wild Cactus, Jagmohan Mundhra, or Jag Mundhra as he is more commonly known, took a turn for the serious with Bawandar (Sandstorm) in 2000. He is back in the news again with two new films of substance: Provoked starring Aishwarya Rai, and Sonia, starring Monica Belluci.

Provoked is the true story of Kiranjit Ahluwalia, who killed her husband after being abused by him for the entire duration of their ten-year marriage. In legally defining the term "provocation" in relation to spousal abuse, Ahluwalia's case changed British law for battered women. The film received a positive response from audiences at the Cannes Film Festival, where it premiered. It is anticipated the film will be screened in Canada at the high-profile Toronto International Festival this September.

Mohan expects that international audiences will relate to Aishwarya's portrayal of Ahluwalia because domestic violence is a universal topic. The film has a stellar cast that includes Naveen Andrews (whose profiled exploded recently with the popularity of the television series, Lost), Miranda Richardson, and Nandita Das. Provoked features music by A.R. Rahman.

Mohan's film Sonia is still in pre-production, and will feature Italian actress, Monica Belluci, in the lead role of Sonia Gandhi. Gandhi is the wife of late Indian prime minister, Rajiv Gandhi, who was assassinated by terrorists in 1991. Rajiv was the son of Indira Gandhi, and the grandson of Jawaharlal Nehru, Indian's first prime minister and close friend of Mahatma Gandhi. Sonia Gandhi is currently the president of the Congress Party, one of India's most prominent political groups.

There has been some talk that Mundhra is facing problems in getting approval for the film from the Congress Party. The film is based on an unauthorized biography of Sonia Gandhi written by journalist Rashid Kidwai, and covers forty years of the politician's life, from 1964 to 2004. Kidwai's book has been on the market for three years, and there has been no controversy surrounding its content. In theory, approval from the political party or Gandhi herself is not necessary for Mundhra to go ahead with the film. However, after incidents like the banning of Da Vinci Code and Fanaa in places in India, it would unwise for Mundhra to go ahead without having the political powers on board.

Mundhra has not yet cast the roles of Indira Gandhi, Sanjay Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, though Sanjay Suri and Zayed Khan are being considered for roles of the brothers. Sonia will be filmed in English and shot in London, Italy and Delhi.

Check out Zip.ca for all your Bollywood and Hollywood needs! Look for Monica Belluci in such great films as The Matrix Reloaded, The Matrix Revolutions, The Passion of the Christ and Malena. Aishwarya Rai shines in numerous Bollywood hits, including Devdas, Choker Bali: A Passion Play, Aa Ab Laut Chalein, and Josh.