Toronto, Sep 15 (IANS) Indian origin filmmaker Deepa Mehta's "Water" created waves at the 30th annual Toronto International Film Festival when it was screened at its gala opening in this Canadian city.

The story of "Water" - the third in Deepa Mehta's elements trilogy that includes the 1996 film "Fire" and the 1998 film "Earth" - revolves around an eight-year-old child bride in pre-Independence India who is sent to a widow's ashram after her husband's death.

The film was screened Sep 8 at the opening of the 10-day festival that includes 335 entries from 52 countries, reported South Asia Observer.

The shooting of "Water" in 2000 in Varanasi, India, had been disrupted by radical Hindus. She eventually finished shooting the film in Sri Lanka.

"Water", which boasts of a great musical score by A.R. Rahman, features Lisa Ray, John Abraham and Seema Biswas. The film's star cast and Deepa Mehta were present at the festival opening.

With a choked voice, Mehta said: "It's fabulous, I just feel honoured."

Welcoming Mehta, the festival co-director Noah Cowan said: "We are extremely pleased to have Deepa Mehta open the Toronto International Film Festival for the first time with this extraordinary film. The festival has been a long time supporter of her extraordinary career and she has been a wonderful partner for us in building this festival and organisation."

Noted Bengali filmmaker Buddhadeb Dasgupta's "Memories in the Mist" (Kaalpurush) was the only complete Indian production (other films being co-productions) to be screened at the festival.

In this film, Dasgupta takes on family intimacies, global politics and time. Adapting his own novel, "America, America," he returns to the layered portraits of Bengali society that have earned him a reputation in the top ranks of world cinema. He blends satire with domestic drama.