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Deepa's translator says changes are minor

Suparn Verma in Varanasi

Anurag Kaushal, who translated in Hindi the dialogues of Water, confirmed today that the changes in the script of the film accepted by director Deepa Mehta following objections from certain sectors were ''minor.''

Kaushal, who accompanied Mehta to Delhi where she met Information and Broadcasting Minister Arun Jaitley, said the meeting was short and cordial. He said the minister conveyed his unhappiness with the way the protests against the film were conducted.

Kaushal said he had no idea how the protestors got hold of the script. ''It was the English version...obviously their translation of the text was literal.''

He said the protestors somehow got the impression that it was a love story involving a 'Gond raja' and a Harijan woman. ''They also objected to a widow being referred to as a prostitute...we removed that line. They did not want us to mentione Tulsi Ghat anywher...we have agreed.''

Kaushal said it was a hard decision for Deepa. ''Fighting for a film after it is made is one thing and encountering a hurdle while the film is under production is another. There are 110 people on location from all over the world and the costs are rising everyday...the pressure is tremendous.''

Actress Nandita Das, who plays the lead role along with Shabana Azmi in the film, said she was releaved. "This is the last time we are speaking to the media...now we can go ahead and concentrate on our work. I am happy with the decision that we have been allowed to shoot. I am not sad that Deepa had to make changes in the script. That is a director's prerogative...she had to do something to get things going. But I'll be tense until we actually start shooting."

Javed Shams, a medical practitioner and a senior Congress worker, said he welcomed the decision to allow Mehta to resume shooting. ''The fact that the I&B ministry has scrutinised the script proved that there was nothing objectionable. Vandalising of the sets was a disgraceful act. That's no way to protest in a democracy.''

Shams, however, remains doubtful if the peace would last. "I am not very positive if they will allow the shooting to take place tomorrow. As you know in the BJP, the RSS and the VHP there are elements who put their egos before everything. It will take a few days for things to cool down."

He and Manjeet Chaturvedi, professor of Benares Hindu University, along with the UP University Students Association will soon take out a procession to restore goodwill in the temple town.

Interestingly, a professor of Benaras Hindu University had led the procession on January 30 when the Water sets were destroyed.

Meanwhile, Deepa Mehta reached Varanasi this afternoon and immediately went into a production meeting.

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