" A magnificent film..........

unforgettably touching the heart. "

Water is the final film in Mehta's trilogy on the elements, following FIRE (1996) and Earth (1998), which both premiered at the Festival.

In pre-independent India, set against the backdrop of Mahatma Gandhi's rise to power, eight-year old child-bride Chuyia hears of her husband's death. Her father, following custom, exiles her to a widow's ashram where she is meant to live out her days. Chuyia's feisty presence starts to affect the lives of the other residents, in particular 20-year-old Kalyani (Lisa Ray of Bollywood/Hollywood), 35-year-old Shakuntala (Seema Biswas of Bandit Queen) and an 80-year-old whose days are waning. Encouraged by Chuyia, Kalyani (who serves as the ashram's breadwinner) breaks tradition and falls for young upper-class Gandhian idealist Narayan (Bollywood star John Abraham), forcing the widows to question their future and faith. Even Chuyia is caught in the wind of change.

Water is a David Hamilton Production, and executive produced by Mark Burton, Ajay Virmani, and Doug Mankoff. Music score is by A.R Rahman.

• Chuyia- Sarala
• Madhumati -Manorama
• Shakuntala -Seema Biswas
• Kalyani - Lisa Ray
• Narayan -John Abraham

Kalyani - Lisa Ray
Kalyani is breathtaking, and the only widow whose hair is not shorn, as a nod to her profession which was forced upon her at an early age by the powerful head widow Madhumati. Uncomplicated and gentle, she radiates a child-like innocence. Kalyani spends her day either playing with her puppy Kaalu, or talking to the small statue of the God Krishna she has in her room. Her nights though are surreal. Gulabi ferries her across the Waters to the mansions of the rich gentry in Rawalpur. This she accepts with a quiet equanimity; it's her karma.

Narayan -John Abraham
Narayan, who has just finished his law degree, is an idealist and follower of Gandhi's ‘Quit India Movement.’ Through pure chance Narayan meets Kalyani. There is an immediate attraction, but the restriction placed on interaction with widows makes it difficult to find a way of pursuing any kind of relationship. Gandhi’s movement is not solely dedicated to removing the British from Indian soil but also focuses on social justice particularly as it relates to the treatment of women. Narayan ignores the cultural taboos and continues to meet Kalyani in order to marry her. But marriage to widows is strictly forbidden.

Chuyia- Sarala
Chuyia is an eight-year-old girl with bright, sparkling eyes and a long, untidy braid that falls well below her waist. Her tiny wrists have two red bangles each and silver anklets encircle her bony ankles. Her family recently married her to a successful older man of their village with the prospect that when she came of age she would move to his home and become a proper wife. This plan is quickly thrown into disarray when the husband becomes ill and dies, leaving Chuyia a widow. Tradition dictates that Chuyia be forced to move into a house for Hindu widows to spend the rest of her life in renunciation.

Deepa Mehta's Water recently nominated for the Oscar has scenic beauty and soothing music by A.R Rehman.. Water is a David Hamilton Production, and executive produced by Mark Burton, Ajay Virmani, and Doug Mankoff.

About Water Movie Music-

Sukhwinder Singh begins 'Aayo Re Sakhi' in his trademark semi-classical rendition and just when you start thinking that the track would pump up its tempo, Rehman throws a surprise by keeping the pace consistent. There are very limited musical instruments in the background that makes 'Aayo Re Sakhi' a kind of number that deserves to be heard with more attention. A soothing rhythmic track with a strong classical base to it, it has a female singer joining Sukhwinder after the song is about half way through. Lyrics are poetic that convey the message of love, happiness, celebration and above all – freedom.

A song with a Radha-Krishan background, 'Bangri Marorii' has a rather strong classical base with again vocals doing all the talking (literally) with little or no music playing in the background. And this is where Rehman wins in creating a much desired effect by composing 'Bangri Marorii' in a manner that would be identifiable by people with strong understanding of music belonging to this genre. This is a kind of track that has a maximum impact when one wants to relax in dark isolation!

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