The story of the children of sex workers in Kolkata's red light district won an Oscar for directors Zana Briski and Ross Kauffman, but it may never be shown in India.

Ms Briski, a British-born photographer, and Mr Kauffman fear there could be "trouble" if "Born Into Brothels" is shown in the country where it was made and so have decided against distributing it in India. They also said they were honouring the wishes of women shown in the film, who wanted their identities protected. But the two directors are determined that the success of the film, which is as stirring as it is troubling, should be shared with the children of the impoverished Sonagachi district. They plan to build a school in Kolkata from the proceeds.

Ms Briski first went to Kolkata in 1998 to record the lives of the Sonagachi prostitutes. But she became distracted by seven children to whom she gave cameras and encouraged them to record their surroundings.

She spent five years filming what for western audiences is a squalid and unbearable life. The mother of one child is burned to death by her pimp. The families of girls in the group make no secret of the fact that they want them to become prostitutes. But "Auntie Zana" also encourages them to take advantage of their own talents. One of them, Avigit, is a born artist who can paint and take pictures. Avigit was invited to take part in an exhibition programme in Amsterdam and part of the film is his battle to get a passport. Others also have their photographs shown in a Kolkata gallery.

The sale of photographs has raised well over 100,000 dollars. But Zana Briski and Mr Kauffmann have also faced criticism for the impact of their work on the children. But they have insisted that they will not end their connection with the children.

"We were in Kolkata two weeks ago," Ms Briski said after accepting the Oscar. "They were all so excited to find out about the nominations. I'm sure they are watching on television ... and I'm sure they're going to be very, very, very happy and excited." -AFP