No, I did not expect anything. But when the nominations were announced, it made me feel very good. It will make me feel better if the film wins.

When I saw the film for the first time at the Toronto International Film Festival last year, and saw women sobbing around me, I realised what we had done. Canadian director Atom Egoyan (Where the Truth Lies) had come up to me and said my performance was good.

I will do anything in my capacity to promote Water. I will follow the orders of director Deepa Mehta and producer David Hamilton. The three of us have been on the phone almost every day. Deepa has been doing interviews there (in Canada); I'm doing interviews here.

I will be going to London to shoot for UTV's next film, tentatively titled Goal. So I've been given a list of things to do in London (to promote Water).

Water is Canada's entry to the Oscars, not India's. Did you expect that?

Being an Indian, I want this film to be called an Indian film. But you must give credit where it is due. Unfortunately, Lage Raho Munnabhai and Rang De Basanti did not make to the Oscars. Fortunately, Water did.

Tell us about your TIFF experience.

I met directors Atom, Steven Sodenberg (Ocean's Eleven), Tim Burton (Chalie And The Chocolate Factory), actor Samuel Jackson -- you meet the who's who of Hollywood there -- they were so receptive towards the film.

Do you expect movie deals from Hollywood now?

I don't look at Hollywood as a graduation from the Indian industry. I'm very patriotic. I would rather do an Indian film that goes global than beat my chest and do a Hollywood film.

I would do a Hollywood film only if the role is important, if it has an Indian or Middle Eastern subject. But I do not want to play a stupid Middle Eastern or Indian character in a Hollywood film because I find that demeaning.

In the picture: John Abraham, Seema Biswas, Deepa Mehta, Sarala, Lisa Ray at TIFF