New Delhi has morphed into a gigantic megalopolis that has erased much of its memories and landmark structures, especially those from the mid-century. People forget. Amnesia is everywhere," says Etienne Desrosiers. The Canadian filmmaker is speaking about what prompted him to film his latest project. "My documentary is an honest attempt not just to remind people of the common heritage that India and Canada share, but also to honour the genius of the man behind this."

Luc Durand Leaving Delhi is Desrosiers's 80-minute biopic on celebrated Canadian architect Luc Durand and his surprising stint in Delhi. "He is like the hero of a 20th century epic novel," Desrosiers thinks. In 1951, Durand, then 21, left Canada to study in Geneva with Montparnasse Tower architect Eugene Beaudouin of France. Subsequently, he landed in Delhi to build with JRD Tata's nephew Jack Bertoli the Air India booking office at Connaught Circus. "He stayed in Delhi for four years and designed a lot [of structures]; notably urban plans for the Ford Foundation, the house of writer Patwant Singh on Amrita Shergill Marg and the lobby mural of Habib Rahman's iconic Shiela Cinema."