By Ram Dutt Tripathi in Lucknow

The authorities in Uttar Pradesh have stopped the shooting of a film in the sacred Indian city of Varanasi.

Local leaders of the governing Hindu nationalist Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) have strongly objected to the shooting of Water in Varanasi, saying it depicts Hindu widows in Varanasi being compelled to turn to prostitution.

They say this will tarnish the reputation of the city, in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, as a place of learning and spiritualism.

The decision to halt filming was reportedly made by state chief minister, Ram Prakash Gupta, after a report from the Varanasi district magistrate.

Police say that some members of the BJP held demonstrations in Varanasi against the shooting, which was due to begin on Sunday.

Film director Deepa Mehta has been saying that her Canadian-produced film does not depict either India or Indian womanhood in a bad light.

She declined to give details of the film's script, but said it portrayed a woman's yearning for a better life.

Ms Mehta is known for a previous controversial film Fire, about a lesbian relationship.