When young Tannu joins as a nanny, Stella tries to bribe her to collude with her. But the honest nanny slowly starts exposing the wily old cook who even enacts the drama of her own kidnapping for ransom.

The unsuspecting diplomat family pays $40,000 for her release. But Stella's game is exposed when Tannu finds the money in her home.

Seema, who also featured in Deepa's Oscar nominated 'Water', said: 'I am very happy to be associated with this film and my role. It is wonderful to work with Dilip and Deepa.'

'Cooking with Stella' was shot at the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi.

'It is the first such film shot on a diplomatic place. We sent the script to the high commission and the government in Ottawa. So the film was basically shot on Canadian soil,' Dilip, who co-wrote the screenplay with his sister Deepa, said amid laughter.

Donna Glezakos, who was one of hundreds of white Canadians in the audience, said: 'It is a typically Indian movie and I love the comical role of Stella played to perfection.'

Laura Mitchell, another white Canadian, said: 'After 'Dil Bole Hadippa', this is my second Indian movie. It is very funny. The topic was not heavy unlike so many films in the festival. Biswas has played her role superbly. But Rani (Mukerji) was great (in 'Dil Bole Hadippa'.'