By Subhash K Jha

Deepa currently stationed in LA for the Oscars with her life and business partner David Hamilton, is amused and aghast at rumours that she intends to wear Ritu Kumar's creations at the Oscars.

"Ritu is a dear friend. She and I grew up together.But I won't be wearing her clothes on Oscars night. I consider my mom's sari and jewellery to be my good-luck charms. I try to wear them at all special events. And events don't get any special than this. I'm going to be wearing one of my mom's heavy saris and her gold jewellery."

As for Ritu Kumar, " I love her creations. She's a friend and a talented designer. I'll probably put on one of her creations for one of the other Oscar-related events. But it will have to be a salwar-kameez at the most. I'm certainly not going to be comfortable wearing one of those designer thingys. I guess I'll die in my trademark saris and open hair."

As for the release of Water in India, Deepa shoots down rumours that the film's Indian distributors are planning to postpone the release by a month. "Why on earth would they do that? To coincide the release of Water with Mira Nair's film Namesake? Is that the report in a section of the Indian press?"

Deepa laughs off attempts to pitch Water against Namesake. "They are two different films. Mira and I are two different directors. Her Namesake is a wonderful film. And I wish it all the best. But as far as I know Water will be released on schedule in India, Feb 23. I'll make time to be there for the promotion."