This is not the country but certain class of that country which doesn't want to see the truth.It is a brutal truth about the culture, how society cared about the widows in the past centuries. Now film is nominated for the 2006 Academy award. This will be a slap on the faces of those bunches of clowns, who made the film an issue for their cheap popularity. Film is outstanding and definitely deserves recognition. I saw other films which has the good work of Giles Nuttgens as a cinematographer, like "Keep the Aspidistra Flying", "Fire", "Earth" and some other TV films, but he show his charisma through the lenses in "Water". It's all Deepa Mehta, who is best in story telling and pulling best out of her cast. Even small characters "Gulabi" (Raghuvir Yadav) and "Madhumati" (Manorama) show the presence. Undoubtedly, Lisa Ray's work was the best. She is good actress hidden in astounding beauty. She expressed every feeling in each frame beautifully sometime even without speaking at all. We just need good story tellers. Though India makes about 3 movies in a day on an average not of any world standards, but certainly we have stories of world class. Disrespect about widow is a truth in India. It happened in the '30s and is still happening today. If you disagree, write me back, I can send you as many pictures of those places as you want. Good job Deepa! Some time people like you make me proud to be an Indian.