I wrote, produced, and played the lead in the award-winning feature film Designed by Preeti.
Inspired by real events, it is an uplifting story of a woman’s journey from an abusive marriage to empowerment.
It is currently available to watch online. Please click here for the website with the trailer and ticket link.
FESTIVAL AWARDS
Red Cedar Film Festival – Best Narrative Feature Award Winner
BraveMaker Film Festival – Best Feature Audience Award Winner
Sundar Prize Film Festival – Nominated for Best Feature Film
Houston International Film Festival – Gold Remi Award Winner
North Hollywood CineFest – Nomination – Director Gayatri Bajpai nominated for Best Director
Indian Film Festival of Cincinnati – Best Film, Special Mention
SOME AUDIENCE REVIEWS
Very touching film about a very serious subject –
Really well-made film about a very sensitive subject, domestic violence, but encased in a fascinating journey into the dynamics of Indian culture and how those dynamics serve to complicate the protagonist’s journey out of abuse. The acting was top-notch with compelling characters and just enough humor to lighten the mood when things got heavy. Charming and endearing.
Based on many such true stories, this movie is well-made and inspiring –
It happens in every country and every culture – domestic abuse. This movie is such a powerful story, and it is inspiring because it shows how a woman can escape from traditional family morals and create a better life for herself. A good roadmap for personal liberation. Also a good learning for the family and many of the viewers of the movie. I liked it.
A thought-provoking movie on a very relevant topic! –
Designed by Preeti is the culmination of many years of hard work by Rashmi Rustagi and her talented team of actors and production team. It is a sensitive and positive treatment of the delicate topic of domestic abuse. It gives you a glimpse into a South Asian perspective on marriage, friendship etc. Definitely worth a watch!
So relevant –
The themes of this film are so important in today’s world. I especially appreciate how the abuse in the film was not sensationalized. So often we associate DV with violent and aggressive abuse when it is often much more subtle and invisible and in turn extremely harmful. I hope that these messages become more mainstream.
A powerful and compassionate film on domestic violence –
Domestic violence is a serious issue that many people endure silently across cultures, ethnicities, and religions around the world. Designed by Preeti opens the door to an important conversation about a reality that so many, particularly women, are forced to navigate.
Watching Designed by Preeti was eye-opening. –
The film is beautifully directed, supported by strong performances, and grounded in a thoughtful script that captures the subject’s complexity with sensitivity and care. At the same time, it weaves in moments of human connection, including a subtle love story that brings warmth and balance to an otherwise difficult theme.
I strongly encourage everyone to watch this film, not only to better understand this issue, but to develop greater empathy. If someone in your life – a mother, sister, or friend – is going through something similar, this film may help you show up with more compassion and support.
A must-watch film! –
A must-watch film. Rashmi has played the role beautifully of a woman who endures silent abuse and finally finds the courage to break free and stand on her own and build her life back step by step. This film tackles a heavy, emotional subject, but what I appreciated most is that it doesn’t make the experience overly dark or overwhelming. It is an engaging film portraying a heavy subject. The film feels empowering and highlights the importance of women being both financially and emotionally independent.
UNBORN
In 2020, I wrote and produced a captivating short film entitled UNBORN. This project holds a special place in my heart as it delves into a topic often overlooked or neglected in conversations. UNBORN sheds light on a significant issue affecting the South Asian community worldwide, including in America. I had the pleasure of collaborating with the exceptionally skilled director, Jaswant Shrestha, who brought his remarkable talent to the film.
We have won several awards at various film festivals, and Unborn is now streaming on Amazon Prime. Click HERE to watch.
Amazing viewer comments at the Toronto Feedback Film Festival. Watch the videohere.
SOME BEHIND THE SCENES PHOTOS:
SOME VIEWER COMMENTS:
"This film has made me bawl my eyes out. So powerful and so moving. I've binged watched Bridgerton & The Queens Gambit this year. But this is by far the most powerful and moving thing I've watched and it took less than 15 minutes to consume. At the end of the film, I was reminded of my Nigerian middle name which means 'what God has given us' because my own mother refused to be unhappy with my entrance into the world. Thank you so much for writing, making, and sharing this Rashmi. Please, please, please make more." - Female viewer.
“Strong story and message! They took a risk in sharing this cultural underbelly and attempting to bring awareness to what's going on and to help empower women and individuals…..they told it in a way that wasn't too confrontational but more of a subtle introduction into what's going on and just thought they did a nice job in bringing awareness.” - Female viewer.
“This, I think was extremely important film making especially because I did not know the extent of the pressure on women from East Indian cultures…. was told in a really compelling and empathetic manner. The pressures and the invasion into her body were very well told and the one quote where she said that we pray to…….really sold it home and it was quite emotional! All the actors had a great level of gravity and dedication to their performance for such a really difficult subject matter. It never felt preachy and I really appreciated the stats at the end and the real-world consequences of this fictional story.” - Female viewer.
“I thought it was really intense…... was really well done because it did such a great job of showing rather than explaining what the pressure was like, what the culture was like….. I really appreciate the fact that they showed you and that you come to conclusions yourself.” - Female viewer.
“I thought it was really well done! On the technical side, the cinematography was fantastic, I really enjoyed the lighting throughout….. the color choices and the wardrobe was amazing and as the performances and the writing go, loved it, really grounded….I liked the easy transitions between the two languages, it felt very naturalistic. The story itself is heartbreaking and really needs to be addressed as a society, around the globe.” - Male viewer.
“The set was beautiful, the background music was lively, I was fully engrossed in the characters and felt as though I was in India with them. The stats shown at the end were important, a step in the right direction to model a strong female lead who wasn't afraid to challenge the expectations of her family or the judgments of other families….” - Female viewer.
“Very very good, the editing, the cinematography, really really good, as well as the performance. The performance I thought was excellent…. because it could have come off as a little bit cheesy…….I love the perspective that the director took……..I didn't know until I saw this film and it is something that really needs to be shed light on... they did a great job in doing so both in the writing and everything else.” - Male viewer.
Very emotional and informative about a subject matter that I personally had not been familiar with…... it's certainly an interesting film to watch from the pro-choice, pro-life stance because what we're seeing here is an argument that has shades of both ends! The acting in it is very effective and well done, understated where necessary, emotionally raw where needed and we see again a glimpse into a life that has not been given the necessary platform….. I'm glad that this film brings this important subject matter to light.” - Male viewer.
Producer
DESIGNED BY PREETI
I wrote, produced, and played the lead in the award-winning feature film Designed by Preeti.
Inspired by real events, it is an uplifting story of a woman’s journey from an abusive marriage to empowerment.
It is currently available to watch online. Please click here for the website with the trailer and ticket link.
FESTIVAL AWARDS
SOME AUDIENCE REVIEWS
Very touching film about a very serious subject –
Really well-made film about a very sensitive subject, domestic violence, but encased in a fascinating journey into the dynamics of Indian culture and how those dynamics serve to complicate the protagonist’s journey out of abuse. The acting was top-notch with compelling characters and just enough humor to lighten the mood when things got heavy. Charming and endearing.
Based on many such true stories, this movie is well-made and inspiring –
It happens in every country and every culture – domestic abuse. This movie is such a powerful story, and it is inspiring because it shows how a woman can escape from traditional family morals and create a better life for herself. A good roadmap for personal liberation. Also a good learning for the family and many of the viewers of the movie. I liked it.
A thought-provoking movie on a very relevant topic! –
Designed by Preeti is the culmination of many years of hard work by Rashmi Rustagi and her talented team of actors and production team. It is a sensitive and positive treatment of the delicate topic of domestic abuse. It gives you a glimpse into a South Asian perspective on marriage, friendship etc. Definitely worth a watch!
So relevant –
The themes of this film are so important in today’s world. I especially appreciate how the abuse in the film was not sensationalized. So often we associate DV with violent and aggressive abuse when it is often much more subtle and invisible and in turn extremely harmful. I hope that these messages become more mainstream.
A powerful and compassionate film on domestic violence –
Domestic violence is a serious issue that many people endure silently across cultures, ethnicities, and religions around the world. Designed by Preeti opens the door to an important conversation about a reality that so many, particularly women, are forced to navigate.
Watching Designed by Preeti was eye-opening. –
The film is beautifully directed, supported by strong performances, and grounded in a thoughtful script that captures the subject’s complexity with sensitivity and care. At the same time, it weaves in moments of human connection, including a subtle love story that brings warmth and balance to an otherwise difficult theme.
I strongly encourage everyone to watch this film, not only to better understand this issue, but to develop greater empathy. If someone in your life – a mother, sister, or friend – is going through something similar, this film may help you show up with more compassion and support.
A must-watch film! –
A must-watch film. Rashmi has played the role beautifully of a woman who endures silent abuse and finally finds the courage to break free and stand on her own and build her life back step by step. This film tackles a heavy, emotional subject, but what I appreciated most is that it doesn’t make the experience overly dark or overwhelming. It is an engaging film portraying a heavy subject. The film feels empowering and highlights the importance of women being both financially and emotionally independent.
UNBORN
In 2020, I wrote and produced a captivating short film entitled UNBORN. This project holds a special place in my heart as it delves into a topic often overlooked or neglected in conversations. UNBORN sheds light on a significant issue affecting the South Asian community worldwide, including in America. I had the pleasure of collaborating with the exceptionally skilled director, Jaswant Shrestha, who brought his remarkable talent to the film.
We have won several awards at various film festivals, and Unborn is now streaming on Amazon Prime. Click HERE to watch.
And HERE to watch the trailer.
A review in India Currents:
Here is the most recent award, so exciting!
Amazing viewer comments at the Toronto Feedback Film Festival. Watch the video here.
SOME BEHIND THE SCENES PHOTOS:
SOME VIEWER COMMENTS:
"This film has made me bawl my eyes out. So powerful and so moving. I've binged watched Bridgerton & The Queens Gambit this year. But this is by far the most powerful and moving thing I've watched and it took less than 15 minutes to consume. At the end of the film, I was reminded of my Nigerian middle name which means 'what God has given us' because my own mother refused to be unhappy with my entrance into the world. Thank you so much for writing, making, and sharing this Rashmi. Please, please, please make more." - Female viewer.
“Strong story and message! They took a risk in sharing this cultural underbelly and attempting to bring awareness to what's going on and to help empower women and individuals…..they told it in a way that wasn't too confrontational but more of a subtle introduction into what's going on and just thought they did a nice job in bringing awareness.” - Female viewer.
“This, I think was extremely important film making especially because I did not know the extent of the pressure on women from East Indian cultures…. was told in a really compelling and empathetic manner. The pressures and the invasion into her body were very well told and the one quote where she said that we pray to…….really sold it home and it was quite emotional! All the actors had a great level of gravity and dedication to their performance for such a really difficult subject matter. It never felt preachy and I really appreciated the stats at the end and the real-world consequences of this fictional story.” - Female viewer.
“I thought it was really intense…... was really well done because it did such a great job of showing rather than explaining what the pressure was like, what the culture was like….. I really appreciate the fact that they showed you and that you come to conclusions yourself.” - Female viewer.
“I thought it was really well done! On the technical side, the cinematography was fantastic, I really enjoyed the lighting throughout….. the color choices and the wardrobe was amazing and as the performances and the writing go, loved it, really grounded….I liked the easy transitions between the two languages, it felt very naturalistic. The story itself is heartbreaking and really needs to be addressed as a society, around the globe.” - Male viewer.
“The set was beautiful, the background music was lively, I was fully engrossed in the characters and felt as though I was in India with them. The stats shown at the end were important, a step in the right direction to model a strong female lead who wasn't afraid to challenge the expectations of her family or the judgments of other families….” - Female viewer.
“Very very good, the editing, the cinematography, really really good, as well as the performance. The performance I thought was excellent…. because it could have come off as a little bit cheesy…….I love the perspective that the director took……..I didn't know until I saw this film and it is something that really needs to be shed light on... they did a great job in doing so both in the writing and everything else.” - Male viewer.
Very emotional and informative about a subject matter that I personally had not been familiar with…... it's certainly an interesting film to watch from the pro-choice, pro-life stance because what we're seeing here is an argument that has shades of both ends! The acting in it is very effective and well done, understated where necessary, emotionally raw where needed and we see again a glimpse into a life that has not been given the necessary platform….. I'm glad that this film brings this important subject matter to light.” - Male viewer.