Water is a silent reaction against the injustice meted out to women, especially widows, around the world, said eminent film-maker Deepta Mehta about her film which was shown as the inaugural film of the ongoing International Film Festival of Kerala.

Addressing reporters at the festival venue here today, Mehta said she had seen the plight of widows right from younger days. "I had seen my grandmother as a widow. There was curiosity all about," she said.

'Water' is the last of her trilogy after 'Fire' and 'Earth'. the film, which is set in 1938 colonial India, could not be shot in Varanasi as local religious groups came out with protest.

The film`s location was then shifted to Sri Lanka and a Sinhalese school girl portrays the central character of the child widow in Water. since there has not been much change in society`s attitude towards women, the film has universal appeal, she said.

Water was a runaway hit when it was released in Canada as people there could identify with the film`s content.

On the casting of commercial stars like John Abraham and Lisa Ray in the film, she said actors were selected based on their talent. Child artiste Sarita`s performance was simply outstanding. "She really surprised me," Mehta said.

She said the widow`s ashram in the film was shot in a house where Gandhiji stayed when he visited Sri Lanka. "The Sri Lankan experience was incredible. I loved every moment of shooting in the country," she said.

Mehta said Gandhiji was the sub-text hero of the film to signify that social fabric was gradually changing.