Filmmaker Ravi Chopra, who is distributing and releasing the film in India, said the film might pick up the award.

He said: "It's a beautiful romantic film and deserves an Oscar. When people see the film, they will understand that they have no reason to have any problems with the movie."

When asked why only three Indian films have made it to the nomination list, Chopra said: "May be we haven't made films that touch their (western) sensibilities. We make films to our sensibilities and there are very few films that look after both sensibilities."

Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar feels otherwise. He said: "It's a big game and big lobby. You have to have proper people to communicate with the juries and to show them the movie."

But Mehta's film is seen in a positive light.

If critics in the west are raving about other four entries - "After The Wedding" (Denmark), "Days Of Glory" (Algeria), "The lives Of Others" (Germany) and "Pan's Labyrinth" (Mexico) - they are lauding Mehta's film too.

Critics have said "Water" is richer and more convincing in its portrayal of the girl, Chuyia, sent to live with a houseful of widows.

As far as Indian links go, apart from Mehta's "Water", Susanne Bier's "After the Wedding" too has a strong Indian tie. The film centres on Jacob Petersen, a Danish expatriate who has dedicated his life to helping street children in India.

If "Water" succeeds in impressing the jury and bagging the Academy award, it will surely open a new chapter for Indian filmmakers.