Deepa Mehta's water has become the highest-grossing film in Canada ever! She discusses the phenomenon with Subhash K Jha.

Q: To what do you attribute the astonishing success of Water in Canada?
A: It's grossed 2.2 million American dollars in six weeks. I wish I could whistle.I really don't know why... it has touched a chord . Like Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Black my Water portrays a very culture-specific world. And yet the emotions go way beyond the immediate.

The emotions have to be culture-specific for them to become universal. That's the only explanation. I don't think it's because it's cool and hip for Westerners to take in Indian culture....or because Water is a 'crossover' film—whatever that means!

Q: What do you think the Canadians like so much in the film?
A: From the reviews I gather they're moved by the whole experience. It's a very minimal and delicate film. They respond to the story and performances. Seema Biswas is a total winner. She's mindblowing.

I've never seen such a performance in my life. In my opinion anyone who eats up the screen is a star. The other amazing performance is by the little girl Sarla.

Q: Where does Water go from Canada?
A: Our international distributors Fox-Searchlight have had innumerable shows. Lisa Ray is being featured on all the international magazine covers including Vogue, Harper's, Vanity Fair. The westerners love her. She's going to go places. John too will go very far.

Q: And you?
A: I can't rate myself. I know the Canadians love Water. Let's see what happens in the rest of the world. I just want the freedom to continue doing what I want to.

Q: Are you saddened it didn't get released in India?
A: It's a disappointment. But it's out of my control. The Indian rights are with the Canadian NRI Ajay Virmani. Perhaps the baggage of the past controversies surrounding the film are taking their toll. What else could it be?

Fox-Serachlight's first Indian film, phenomenal boxoffice in Canada...then why not in India? I'm baffled. No one here has seen it. Even private screenings are not in my hands. I don't have the right to make any decisions. I can't make my next film until Water is released everywhere.

I've to be travelling in the US for four weeks to promote it. John, Lisa and I will go to the US, Spain and Australia. But emotionally I've moved on. Q: And your next?
A: Komagata Maru must have Mr Bachchan. It already has John and Seema. And I want Jagjit Singh to do the gur-bani.

Q: You're really enamoured of Seema's histrionics?
A: On the contrary it's her lack of histrionics. She just makes me so quiet. Seema's performance as Shakuntala will take herbeyond Bandit Queen ...

Q: How has this year been?
A: Very satisfying. Thank God I was able to close Water.

Q: Any favourite films that you saw in 2005?
A: A Belgian film called The Child. Such a moving film...From India, I saw Black. I liked it very much.

Q: And Mangal Pandey?
A: I didn't see it.

Q: It featured your 1947 hero Aamir Khan?
A: How is he? He doesn't talk to me.

Q: Your daughter Devyani has penned a book on you?
A: Yes Shooting Water ... it's been released in Canada. It will be released in India in March 2006 by Penguin. The book is a catharsis in many ways. It marked a closure of a lot of pain. It's been a cathartic experience for both of us.

It's revealing of my past life. But not out there. It's more a mother-daughter book. And Bapsi Sidhwa has novelized the script. It'll come out with the film's release in the US.

Q: Would you like to make a film based on your relationship with Devyani?
A: Not right now. But yes, later.