well portrayal lesbian love story fire also comic satire middleclass  indian culture find quality little appreciated movie two genres ie deep meaningful alternativelove story comic satire usually mix together well oil water do mehta somehow manages achieve balance near perfection servant jatins behaviour familys treatment him bedridden grandmothers constant inescapable presence ashoks obsession swamis teachings coming culture much like indias things immediately identify typical crying pointed ridiculed developing primary subject matter mehta manages achieve secondary theme skillfully fact much humour film provides essential relief heavy subjects taboo lesbian love gender issues stem satire seemingly ordinary film flows comic serious great subteltybr br all all brilliant use symbolic devices radha compared sita legend coming fire unscathed and therefore pure lifelong desire young radha see ocean finally achieved gains freedom kudos shabana azmiradha lighting crew deepa mehta unhollywoodlike and unbollywoodlike talents made movie special one criticism first scenes seemed rather disjointed flow wellbr br the verdict   nothing less movie scenes burned mind