After Manoj Bajpai we have a woman from Bettiah, Kanika Verma ,who is making her mark in Bollywoood. Her film Dansh earned a lot of kudos in Patna Film Festival, she first assisted director Hansal Mehta in Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar.

"After that I worked as an assistant director in Chhal and few other films. Dansh is my first venture as director," said Kanika who toured Mizoram extensively and also met family members of the late MNF leader Laldenga prior to making the film.

Though very few people knew that they were watching a film directed by the first woman director from Bihar, they appreciated the film and and it ran to almost a packed house at the film fest here.

"The film has been directed with aplomb and it has very powerful, thought-provoking dialogues," said Gyandeo Tripathi, who has been associated with filmmaking for a long time.

Kanika, too, was happy to see the response. "Two years ago when the film was released at the same Mona Cinema, not more than 10-15 people turned out to watch it. Today, the crowd is, indeed, huge," she said. Kanika finally tasted success at her native state and hopes she will making rapid strides in the world of cinema.