'I met her last a few weeks ago. She is the epitome of grace under pressure. Truly exemplary,' says Deepa who worked with Lisa in 'Water' and also in the frothy 'Bollywood/Hollywood'.

'We had fun doing the 'Bollywood/Hollywood' film. As for 'Water' no one seemed to believe she could pull off the role of a Hindu widow in the 1930s. But she did.'

Lisa has just completed a romantic comedy 'Cooking With Stella' with Deepa's brother Dilip Mehta.

On Sep 16 at the posh Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto, Lisa will walk the red carpet with Deepa and her brother for the Gala premiere at the Toronto Film Festival.

'We're looking at a woman who is a portrait of courage. She will do the red carpet proud,' says Deepa passionately. 'I remember when Lisa was shooting for 'Cooking With Stella' she was having so much fun with all of us. There was no sign of the illness. The only outward manifestation of the crisis to come was her loss of appetite. I remember telling her on the sets, 'Lisa, you aren't eating anything.' She's going to defeat this crisis. Lisa is a fighter.'