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WHAT’S IN
WHAT’S IN
DIRECTOR: DEEPA MEHTA
DURATION: 113 MINUTES
The movie ’Water’, set in the backdrop of pre-independence era in the holy city of Benaras,
is a poignant love story and a brilliant rendition on the pathetic exploitation of Hindu
widows at that time.
Child marriages were prevalent in the early 20th century. Girls below 10 years of age were married
off to older men who were often above sixty. Most of the time, small girls became widows due to
older husband’s death and they were sent off to ashrams (widows’ house) in Benaras to lead an
austere life. It was believed that if they led an austere life without succumbing to daily temptations
they would attain salvation and if they got remarried they would go Hell. This is the core theme of
the fi lm.
The story weaves around the relationships between the 3 main protagonists Chuiya, Kalyani and
Narayan. The experiences of Chuiya (a child widow who’s left in the holy city of Benaras in the care
of a widow’s house) in the Ashram and her relationship with the other widows there refl ects the
pathos of the widows.
Madhumati is the head of the Ashram. She earns the maintenance money by sending beautiful
widows for prostitution. Kalyani (Lisa Ray) is one such widow who meets Narayan, a follower
of Mahatma Gandhi belonging to the upper echelons of society. He falls in love with Kalyani
and comes forward to marry her despite his mother’s protests. The story revolves around
the questions whether Kalyani will be able to marry the man she loves. Will he want to
marry her when he realizes that the father he idolizes is actually a part of the evils that
the system brings about Will Chuiya be destined to live the rest of her life as a widow
The director questions the issue of child marriage and widow system by making
Chuiya ask innocent questions like can’t men be widowers. The older widow’s wish
to eat a sweet is very poetically expressed.
The Cinematography of the fi lm is extraordinary with crystal clear quality and
pleasing colours supported by lilting music. The characterization is realistic
with brilliant dialogue. The pace of the fi lm is slow due to its slow narrative.
The fi lm is not a typical Bollywood blockbuster but a treat for all art fi lm
afi cionados.
By Surita Banerjee