Water (2005)
Deepa Mehta's luminous drama about widowhood, faith, and quiet resistance in colonial India — a film that sparked controversy and earned an Oscar nomination.
Water - Movie Information
- Original Title: Water
- Release Year: 2005
- Directed by: Deepa Mehta
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Romance
- Runtime: 1h 55m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: Hindi
- Release Date (Theatrical): November 4, 2005 (Canada), April 13, 2006 (Australia - M)
- Alternative Titles: 아쉬람 (KR), Boда (RU), Víz (HU), Voda (HR), Woda (PL), Água (PT), 止水上的浮花 (CN), Jal (IN)
- Production Companies: David Hamilton Productions, Flagship International, Noble Nomad Pictures, Echo Lake Entertainment, Fox Searchlight Pictures
- Production Countries: Canada, India
Water - Plot
The year is 1938, and Mahatma Gandhi's groundbreaking philosophies are sweeping across India, but 8-year-old Chuyia, newly widowed, must go to live with other outcast widows on an ashram. Her presence transforms the ashram as she befriends two of her compatriots.
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Water - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Deepa Mehta
Main Cast
- Lisa Ray
- Sarala
- John Abraham
- Seema Biswas
- Waheeda Rehman
- Vinay Pathak
- Rishma Malik Scott
- Manorama
- Raghubir Yadav
- Gerson Da Cunha
Writers
- Deepa Mehta
Producers
- David Hamilton
Water - FAQs
Is Water based on a true story?
Water isn't based on one specific true story, but it's deeply rooted in historical reality. Deepa Mehta drew on the documented plight of Hindu widows in colonial India, where religious customs forced women — including child widows — into lives of poverty and social exclusion in ashrams along the Ganges.
Why was Water so controversial in India?
When filming began in Varanasi in 2000, violent protests erupted — sets were burned, crew members threatened, and production was shut down entirely. Critics accused Deepa Mehta of misrepresenting Hindu traditions. The film was ultimately shot in Sri Lanka and became a flashpoint in debates about artistic freedom in India.
What is Water about?
Set in 1938 India, Water follows Chuyia, an 8-year-old girl widowed and sent to live in an ashram for outcast widows. Her arrival stirs the lives of the women around her, particularly Kalyani, a young widow forced into prostitution, as Gandhi's message of liberation begins to ripple through society.
Who are the main actors in Water?
The film features Lisa Ray as Kalyani, young Sarala as Chuyia, and John Abraham as Narayan, a Gandhian idealist. Seema Biswas plays the conflicted Shakuntala, while Waheeda Rehman, Manorama, and Raghubir Yadav round out a remarkable ensemble cast.
Did Water receive an Oscar nomination?
Yes — Water earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film at the 2007 Oscars, representing Canada. It was also nominated for a César Award and won multiple prizes at international film festivals, cementing Deepa Mehta's reputation as one of cinema's most compelling voices.
Where can I watch Water (2005)?
Water is available to rent or buy digitally on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It's a widely accessible title across major digital platforms, so you should have no trouble finding it in your preferred store.
What is the ending of Water explained?
In the film's haunting finale, Shakuntala entrusts little Chuyia to Gandhi's departing train, symbolically releasing her from the ashram's cycle of suffering. It's a bittersweet act of hope — one woman's sacrifice offering a child the freedom she herself was never given, set against the dawn of India's independence movement.
Who directed Water and who composed the music?
Water was written and directed by Deepa Mehta, the acclaimed Indo-Canadian filmmaker behind the Elements trilogy. The evocative score was composed by A.R. Rahman, the Oscar-winning maestro, whose music deepens the film's emotional resonance and spiritual atmosphere throughout.
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