Designed by Preeti
Designed by Preeti is a compelling and heartfelt romantic drama about Preeti Kumar, a resilient woman in her 50s who courageously escapes an oppressive and unfaithful marriage. Her journey towards independence is met with scorn from her conservative community as her daughter Mallika struggles to untangle the conflicting stories from her parents.
Faced with age and gender discrimination, Preeti finds work as a grocery clerk, where an unexpected friendship with Susan—a spirited, outspoken colleague—encourages her to reimagine life’s possibilities. She also meets Jackson, a compassionate nightclub owner whose supportive presence becomes deeply influential. With these moving friendships, Preeti gains the courage to step into her long-held dream of fashion design, hoping to reconnect with her daughter despite her ex-husband's relentless attempts to sabotage her progress.
As Preeti embraces her independence, her journey unfolds in touching and powerful ways.
This inspiring story of personal transformation highlights the strength required to pursue one’s true path despite formidable obstacles.
"Designed by Preeti is a refreshing independent drama with a rich cultural flavor and enjoyable performances. Audiences will enthusiastically embrace this film." - Marc Clebenoff, award-winning filmmaker.
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Gayatri Everitt BajpaiDirectorHalwa, Housies, Yatra
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Rashmi RustagiWriterUnborn, India Sweets and Spices, The Avengers
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Wendy Moulton-TateWriterRoadtrip Nation, Anthropologie
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Arati MisroProducerSeat 23B, It's a Mismatch
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Priyanka ParanjapeProducerThe Vigilant, Amelia Runs Through a Meadow
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Rashmi RustagiProducerUnborn
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Rashmi RustagiKey Cast"Preeti Kumar"The Avengers, Greys Anatomy
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Ranjita ChakravartyKey Cast"Biji"Never Have I Ever
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Anna KhajaKey Cast"Sonia Singh"The Lincoln Lawyer, Definition Please
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Sangeeta AgrawalKey Cast"Revathi Nagarajan"Amar Colony, Coming Out With the Help Of a Time Machine
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Jay CharanKey Cast"Ajay Kumar"Hungry, Unintended
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Frank LawsonKey Cast"Jackson Simmons"Smile, Heart Song
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Project Type:Feature
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Runtime:1 hour 33 minutes 7 seconds
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Completion Date:February 20, 2025
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Country of Origin:United States
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Country of Filming:United States
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Language:English
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Shooting Format:Digital, Red Komodo
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Aspect Ratio:2.39:1
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:No
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Student Project:No
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Digital Cinema Package:Unavailable
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Dances With FilmsLos Angeles
United States
West Coast
Winner of Best Feature Audience Award -
WorldFest-Houston International Film FestivalHouston, TX
United States
April 26, 2025
Texas
Gold Remi Award for First Feature -
Sundar Prize Film FestivalVancouver, BC
United States
April 11, 2025
Canadian Premiere
Nominated for Best Feature Film -
Oxford Film FestivalOxford, MS
Canada
February 28, 2025
World Premiere
Official Selection -
South Asian Film Festival of MontrealMontreal
United States
Official Selection -
Barcelona Indie AwardsBarcelona
Canada
February 8, 2025
Official Selection -
Inde Meme Film FestivalAustin, TX
Spain
Official Selection -
Bravemaker Film FestivalRedwood City, CA
United States
July 13, 2025
Best Feature Audience Award -
NoHo CineFestGlendale
United States
August 30, 2025
Nominated - Best Director
Gayatri Everitt Bajpai is a Canadian director with roots in New Delhi and Vancouver. She weaves her multiethnic heritage into her storytelling, exploring transition, identity, and belonging themes. Gayatri holds an MFA in Film Production from UCLA’s School of Theater, Film, and Television, where she earned Directors' Spotlight Awards for her short films, produced a documentary on Francis Ford Coppola's "Live Cinema" project, and directed a segment of the anthology feature "Rio" (2017), executive-produced by James Franco. Her film “Halwa”, co-directed by Nirav Bhakta, won HBO’s 2019 APA Visionaries Competition and was later licensed by HBO and Disney Plus, screening at over 100 festivals and garnering awards worldwide. Gayatri made "The Call” as a top 8 finalist at the Vancouver Asian Film Festival's MAMM in 2021, and her music video for "Innocent" by Swim Team earned features in Exclaim! And on Cups’n’Cakes Network in 2022. She directed “Yatra: The Journey" (2023), a fantasy short that earned her Best Director at the Mumbai Indian Cine Film Festival. Gayatri’s most recent project is the feature film Designed by Preeti, which is beginning its festival run.
'Designed by Preeti' is a story of reclaiming life after abuse, a theme deeply personal to me. Having witnessed the devastating impact of abuse on someone I love, I was moved to create a narrative that, while grounded in pain, offers hope and joy, showing the possibility of a healthy, loving future.
What drew me to Preeti’s journey were the powerful friendships she shares with Sonia and Revathi—two Indian American women in their 50s who are bold, witty, and unlike anything I’ve seen on screen. Their candid conversations, full of warmth and humor, reflect the film's emotional core. I fell in love with their distinct personalities—Sonia, the out-and-proud lesbian lawyer, and Revathi, the traditional friend with a knack for cracking lewd jokes. They add lightness to Preeti’s transformative story of leaving her abusive husband and starting over.
Beyond the marriage storyline, the film explores a nuanced mother-daughter relationship. Preeti's daughter, Mallika, sees her mother as more than a supporting figure—she discovers her mother’s talents and strength. This dynamic shifts from traditional portrayals of South Asian families, emphasizing connection and growth.
We also weave a tender love story between a South Asian woman and a Black man, celebrating love that transcends cultural norms and embodying positive masculinity in a way that’s rarely shown on screen.
Directing this incredible cast has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. I’m immensely proud of how we’ve brought these fresh, unique immigrant characters to life. I hope the film inspires viewers, especially in the South Asian community, to embrace their true selves, break free from limitations, and claim their rightful place.