Water videorecording a film by Deepa Mehta

Title from disc label

Originally released as a motion picture in 2005

Includes making of documentary; 'Scanning the movies' two part TV special; deleted scenes; theatrical trailer; short film about the work of the Loomba Trust

Aspect ratio 16:9; dual layer format

Water is a 2005 drama film written and directed by Deepa Mehta, with screenplay by Anurag Kashyap. It is set in 1938 and explores the lives of widows at an ashram in Varanasi, India. The film is set in 1938 when India was still under British occupation. Child marriage was common practice, and widows had a diminished position in society. Chuyia is an eight-year-old girl, whose husband suddenly dies. In keeping with traditions of widowhood, she is dressed in a white sari, her head is shaven and she is left in an ashram, to spend the rest of her life in renunciation. There are fourteen women who live in the dilapidated house, sent there to expiate bad karma, as well as to relieve their families of the financial and emotional burdens of caring for widows. The ashram is ruled by Madhumati, a pompous lady in her 70s. Her only friend is the pimp, Gulabi, a hijra who keeps Madhumati supplied with cannabis. The two also have a side business: Gulabi helps Madhumati prostitute Kalyani, a beautiful young widow, by ferrying her across the Ganges to customers. Kalyani was forced into prostitution as a teenager to support the ashram. Shakuntala is perhaps the most enigmatic of the women. Attractive, witty and sharp, she is also one of the few widows who can read. She exudes enough anger that even Madhumati leaves her alone. Shakuntala is caught between being a God-fearing, devout Hindu, and her hatred of being a widow. She seeks the counsel of Sadananda, a priest, who makes her aware of her unjust and unholy situation. She becomes attached to Chuyia upon her arrival at the ashram. Chuyia is convinced that her stay is a temporary one and that her mother will come to take her away but quickly adapts to her new life. She befriends Kalyani, and witnesses Kalyani's budding romance with Narayan, a charming upper-class follower of Mahatma Gandhi. Despite her initial reluctance, Kalyani eventually buys into his dream of marriage and a new life in Calcutta. She agrees to go away with him. Her plan is disrupted when Chuyia accidentally reveals their affair to Madhumati. Enraged at losing a source of income and afraid of the social disgrace, Madhumati locks Kalyani up. Much to everyone's surprise, the God-fearing Shakuntala lets Kalyani out to go meet Narayan, who ferries her across the river to take her to his home. However, when Kalyani recognizes Narayan's bungalow, she realizes that Narayan is the son of one of the men whom she has been pimped out to. In shock, she demands that he take her back. Narayan confronts his father, learning the reason for Kalyani's actions. Disgusted, he decides to walk out on his father and join Mahatma Gandhi. He arrives at the ashram to take Kalyani with him, only to find that Kalyani has drowned herself.

Written and directed by, Deepa Mehta; director of photography, Giles Nuttgens; music, A.R. Rahman, Sukhwinder Singh, Mychael Danna; editor, Colin Monie; producer, David Hamilton.

Cast: Lisa Ray, John Abraham, Seema Biswas.

BBFC rating: 12. Film censor's office: 12.

In Hindi or English (Dolby digital 2.0, 5.1)

Winner, 2006 Genie Awards for Best performance by an actress in a leading role: Seema Biswas; Best achievement in cinematography: Giles Nuttgens; Best achievement in music - original score: Mychael Danna.