Jagmohan Mundhra has clarified that he had never approached Mallika Sherawat for "Provoked" at any point of time.

Mundhra's clarification comes in the wake of fresh media reports that Mallika would have probably been in Aishwarya Rai's shoes if she had accepted the prestigious assignment.

"I am surprised how the facts have been misconstrued. Mallika was never considered at any point for the role in 'Provoked". My producers had approached her for an erotic thriller called 'Private Moments'.

"The film was based on an English film, 'Sex in The City'. However, Mallika's secretary told them that she was not available. The film was subsequently made with an actress called Aruna Sheel, and was shown in the Cannes festival last year. That was all there was to it. Mallika would never have fitted into the role of 'Provoked'," Mundhra holds.