/> Fortitude under the most trying of circumstances is not an easy situation. Ever since she blogged so dispassionately about her illness earlier this week Lisa Ray has become a heroine far beyond the screen.

Deepa Mehta who has known Lisa from the time they worked together in the lyrical Water four years ago is deeply impressed by Lisa's brave fight. "I knew about her illness two months ago.

She told me. It was hard to believe. She wanted to keep it very private, and rightly so. Only her close friends and family knew. Which is why when Lisa blogged about her illness, I was surprised. It was very courageous of her.

I think she decided that by coming out in the open about the illness she would not only be able confront and overcome the sad situation but also encourage others in similarly troubled spaces to fight and win over their illness."

Lisa is currently in Toronto where she has her own home. Deepa says Lisa is peaceful and very calm.

"I met her last a few weeks ago. She is the epitome of grace under pressure. Truly exemplary, " says Deepa who worked with Lisa in the historic Water and also in the frothy Bollywood/Hollywood. "We had fun doing the Bollywood/Hollywood film. As for Water no one seemed to believe she could pull off the role of a Hindi widow in the 1930s. But she did."

Lisa has just completed a rom-com Cooking With Stella with Deepa's brother Dilip Kumar.

On September 16 at the posh Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto, Lisa Ray will walk the red carpet with Deepa and her brother for the Gala premiere at the Toronto Film Festival.

"We're her looking at a woman who is a portrait of courage. She will do the red carpet proud, " says Deepa passionately. "I remember when Lisa was shooting for Cooking With Stella she was having so much fun with all of us.

There was no sign of the illness. The only outward manifestation of the crisis to come was her loss of appetite. I remember telling her on the sets, ‘Lisa, you aren't eating anything.' She's going to defeat this crisis. Lisa is a fighter."