there be question that sometimes hover over u and have no answer . two woman progressively find themselves ensnare in each other arm ( as corny a the expression sound and that be exactly what happen ) and fin that they can not answer their own question a to what define their relationship when their very own society have no name to what they be . deepa mehta somewhat mis titled fire be the first of a loosely connected trilogy and here link by the theme of the element and and more symbolic than consume . fire a uncontrolled erotic passion do not make an appearance here and since the woman the old and more feminine radha ( shabana azmi ) and the young and more masculine temper sita ( nandita da ) come to realize they share a lot more than common idea and affection for each other and stand for what they believe be their passion for each other despite the opposition face by their very traditional husband and family . a in water and fire be deeply spiritual and even if it technically fall into the mode of sentimental melodrama ( where water and much like the weight of the word and carry a strong meaning that ultimately transcend it definition ) . even so and it a very beautiful picture and and a strong voice from a strong director .