By Ambar Mukherjee in Calcutta

Film director Deepa Mehta says the government of West Bengal has assured her of adequate security arrangements to shoot her controversial film, Water, in the state.

Filming had been banned in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh a few weeks ago due to pressure from Hindu nationalist groups protesting against the allegedly poor portrayal of Hindu culture.

In her talks with the Chief Minister, Jyoti Basu, and Deputy Chief Minister, Buddhadev Bhattacharya, the film maker discussed plans for shooting in the state.

Speaking to journalists following the meeting, Mr Basu said his government will provide all the necessary security to Ms Mehta and her crew during their stay in the state.

Huge losses

In a statement issued recently, the production team spoke of huge losses incurred after the Uttar Pradesh Government ordered a ban on filming there.

The state information and cultural department says Deepa Mehta is expected to visit some places in and around Calcutta to choose a new site for the filming of Water.

But the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and several Hindu right-wing groups attached to it, have already threatened to launch demonstrations against West Bengal if it were to allow shooting.

An earlier Deepa Mehta film, Fire, also caused controversy because it featured two sisters-in-law, rejected by their husbands, falling in love and having a sexual relationship.