Deepa Mehta's Water Opens In Sri Lanka

H.D.J Sarala who played the role as "Chuyia", the youngest widow in Water.

Deepa Mehta's award winning Film "Water" opened at the Majestic Cinema in Bambalapitiya, Sri Lanka on June 2nd 2006. It's a film about the "widow houses" in India, where the women are sent to spend the rest of their lives., after their husbands' deaths. Women of all ages live here.

Water was filmed entirely in Sri Lanka in 2004, in association with Film Location Services (PVT) LTD.

"I want to become a Doctor in the future, while continue to act in films. Water is my first film.I was thrilled and happy to act in a film.I was not nervous at all.My hair was shaved for the film, now I have grown my hair again. I look different now. I like all the actors and actresses, who acted with me" says nine year old H.D.J. Sarala from Galle.

World renowned Deepa Mehta's award winning film "Water" is now being shown at the Majestic Cinema in Bambalapitiya, Sri Lanka.

Iranganie Serasinghe, who acted as "Chuiya's" mother in Water. "Whenever I get involved in a film making, I don't forget to make Irangani Serasinghe to act in the particular film. She is a lucky charm" says Chandran Rutnam, Chairman of Film Location Services

Chandran Rutnam, Chairman of Film Location Services (PVT) LTD, and his wife Nihara Rutnam

"Deepa Mehta has delivered her best like her other films."

"Water is beautifully telling the story of a community in India. It's a story about women widows, their feelings, and tradition, and breaking the traditions. Deepa Mehta has delivered her best like her other films. If a man made this film, he would have taken a different angle. But she has made it artistically" says Thevagowry Mahalingasivam, lecturer of Sri Lanka College of Journalism.

Water was filmed at Ayoma Wijesundara's holiday home in Bolgoda in 2004.

"I did not like my daughter Sarala to act in a film. I was not happy, when I was told that her hair will be shaved. I told Sarala that she can't do that, but Sarala replied "It's my hair". Later I have decided to let her act.I was with her throughout the whole procedure. And today I am proud of my daughter" says Bhawani Kariyawasam

The filming of Water commenced eight years ago in India. The sets were set on fire after the first day of filming. After six years Sri Lanka was chosen as the location for Water. The filiming went on for three months.

Berty Mendis, Photo Journalist of the Sunday Times taking photographs of Sarala (Chuiya), while she is being interviewed

Seema Biswas who acted as "Shakunthala", Sarala who acted as "Chuiya" and John Abraham who acted as "Narayan" seen here after Kalyani's death

The sets for Water were made for twenty five feet width, and seven feet depth into the Bolgoda river, by Hollywood famous Art Director Errol Kelly.

Former Mrs.World Mrs. Rosy Senanayake at the first day of the screening of Water in Sri Lanka

There are over 34 million widows in India according to the 2001 census. Many continue to live in conditions of social, economic and cultural deprivation as prescribed 2000 years ago by the Sacred Texts Manu.

Sarala is a star, according to film fans

Sinhala film actor Sanath Goonathilaka in converstaion with the Art Director of Water Errol Kelly

Traditional lamp at the venue

Water will bring more film opportunities to Sri Lanka, according to film industry sources of Sri Lanka