Writer-director Anurag Kashyap has accused Toronto-based filmmaker Deepa Mehta of stealing his credit in her Oscar-nominated film "Water".

In an interview, Anurag said: "After the amount of work I had put in the film, I was credited as a translator of Hindi dialogues because I didn't sign a contract. 'Water' was a terrible experience."

Mehta, who is in Toronto recovering from the death of her father, is stupefied and saddened.

"Why did Kashyap speak like this? He's such a dear friend with a great mind. I truly admire him. And yes, his contribution to 'Water' is invaluable," Mehta told IANS from Toronto.

"I wrote the entire screenplay including the dialogues in English. It was Kashyap who used his skills with the Hindi language to bring my characters to life. Not once did he tell me or let me feel that he was having a terrible time. We seemed to get along so well. I wonder what prompted the outburst."

Mehta is currently busy scripting the proposed "Exclusion" in which Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan is expected to play a pivotal role.

"In principle Amitabh has said yes. But I need to hand him the script. With my father gone I'm busy bonding with my mother in Toronto. I can't afford to think about why anyone from our wonderful team in 'Water' would feel excluded or cheated."