first deepa mehta film saw film tv hindi version sita character presented nita also note radha underwent allegorical trial fire film nitasita yet loved film screenplay ms mehta direction characters big small welldeveloped seemed quixotic towards endsomewhat like end mazurskys an unmarried woman brave women surrounded cardboard men one cardboard man ashok seems come alive last shot see himcarrying invalid mother biji seems finally take future responsibility beyond celibacy adherance religion br br ms mehta seems fumble director however compared indian mainstream cinema would seem brilliant cannot use script go beyond microscopic joint family presenting except presenting glimpse chinese microminority social milieu india even dedicates film mother daughter not father yet radha reminesces halcyon days parents mustard field compare mrinal sen adoor gopalakrishnan muzaffar ali dwarfed giantsgiven competent canadian production team financial resources mehtas film two bisexual ladies indian middleclass household may sacrilege some merely captures atrophy middleclass homes seem aspire something better immediate survival limited social space kannada malayalam bengali films touched parallel themes india publicity surrounded film therefore seen wide segment knowledgeable cinemagoersbr br ms das ms azmi mr jafri mr kharbanda credible outstanding ms azmi talented actress gave superb performances good directors mrinal sens khandar gautam ghoses paar benegals ankur brilliance notably absent film ms das sparkled due screen presence rather acting capability all films strength remains structure screenplay average terms international cinema sure ms mehta hone writing talents future screenplays