Deswa director Nitin Chandra (centre) with students of IIT-Kanpur. Telegraph picture

Several IIT-Kanpur students were in tears after watching Bhojpuri film Deswa. But to be present on the campus with the film was a sort of dream-come-true moment for director Nitin Chandra, who had once aspired to be an IITian.

“Bhojpuri films have over the years earned a bad name. I felt good to see some of the sharpest minds in the country appreciating the film,” said Nitin, who was invited to the institute for the Montage Film Festival.

The filmmaker had once harboured the ambition of studying in an IIT. Destiny, however, had something else in offer for him. It was no surprise that the director enjoyed every moment of his stay at IIT-Kanpur to screen his movie.

“I was elated to be invited by IIT-Kanpur for the screening of the film. I had once aspired to study in this institute. Like any other youngster from my state, I too had taken preparations to crack the IIT entrance examination. In Bihar, most parents are not much aware of career options, other than medical or engineering. Everyone takes up physics, chemistry and mathematics or biology,” Nitin told The Telegraph over the phone from Mumbai.

The three-day festival, held from February 2 to 4, also screened Sudhir Mishra’s Inkaar among other movies. Deswa was screened on February 2 at 5pm. Around 200 students, professors and scientists watched the film.