Indie Film Review “Designed By Preeti” What holds us back, what needs to be transformed, and grasping our inner worth comes out in style and acute verity
WATCH THE TRAILER BELOW:
First, the Recap:
To value yourself is to ideally find the path to happiness, success, and fulfillment. While it might seem a foregone conclusion that we arise each day, look at the reflection in the mirror, and smile in contented confidence, the truth remains that more often, we tend to look at what we consider the flaws. Whether physical or mental, the way we assess these things can drastically alter how we conduct daily life, how we do or do not pursue those aspirations we desire, and if we’re even open to CHANGE.
Preeti Kumar (Rashmi Rustagi) is a woman of means, a skilled artisan, and in a state of utter upheaval. Caught up in an abusive marriage to philandering husband Ajay (Jay Charan) and between best friends Sonia (Anna Khaja) and Revathi (Sangeeta Agrawal) who have very strong opinions about how she should move forward, Preeti feels frustrated and stuck. While also trying to mend fences with her daughter Mallika (Shavya Samala), will Preeti find the muster to stand up, assert herself, and become the truly authentic (and newly in love!) woman she can be?
Next, my Mind:
Whether it’s due to my being an American critic or just that I harbor an ongoing fascination when it comes to the region’s films, South Asian-centric projects continue to both draw me in and keep me entertained as well as educated about cultural and societal perspectives offered through them. Even when the film itself was actually constructed and brought to life here in the States, there is still a specific “feel” engendered by the stories conveyed that, at least for me, tends to elevate even that which has been explored before above “the norm”. Hence, I once more found myself feeling this way about the new feature film from director Gayatri Bajpai, writer/executive producer Rashmi Rustagi, writers Yashna Malhotra and Wendy Moulton-Tate, plus producers Priyanka Paranjape, Arati Misro, and Tanya Momi. It’s a wholly dramatic, sometimes humorous slice-of-life effort that exudes both South Asian and Western flair in a grounded, meaningful manner.
Focused on the journey of a middle-aged South Asian woman struggling to find the inward peace and outward success she desires and deserves while in the midst of a crumbling marriage, receiving conflicting advice, and a fresh (though unanticipated) road to new love, the first thing I appreciated was a nicely brisk 92-minute runtime. I say this as it allows for a completely developed narrative and characters, but not at the cost of becoming overly “busy” or bogged down in attempting to draw the story out more than it has to be. Instead, we as the viewer have plenty of solidly delivered material to chew on that fills us in with adept intent and ends up presenting its core thematic forays about women empowerment, escaping abusive relationships, learning to recognize your REAL value, choosing to overcome the odds, and having a willingness to open your heart again with intelligently written, directed, and firmly emboldened passion.
Expanding on these foundational facets, the narrative addresses familial disharmony created by a jilted and angry viewpoint, the notion of self-image, our sense of worth and purpose being questioned within our own minds, the damaging impact of gossip and those who thrive on other’s pain, seeking and encountering reconciliation in the actual truth of matters, inner awakening to be WHO we really are, choosing to truly pursue your OWN passions and dreams, stepping out in faith, the bonds of genuine friendships, extending forgiveness, and being a positive example among other topics. It’s an underdog story in many respects, and that for this critic is always inspirational, because to say the least, there is a HUGE need for positive stories that showcase how we CAN rise up in the face of even the harshest of circumstances, confront our doubts, lean into the storm, and find our way through to the fulfillment we aspire to.
Some might wish to argue that how the film’s finale comes around and brings Preeti’s tale to its conclusion is perhaps a little predictable, but you know, even if you believe that, there’s nothing wrong with it. That’s to say that what we’re provided is wonderful, cathartic, and ideally motivational in its messaging, which is something this world needs FAR more of, frankly. And to wrap this kind of narrative into a format that doesn’t shy AWAY from the harder facts and situations portrayed only serves, again in my opinion, to reinforce just how affirming it all is. An amazing ensemble cast makes this film worthwhile as well, and it all starts with its anchor point, Rustagi, who brings about a credible, effective, and stirring mix of intense energy and unforced vulnerability that creates a character worth rooting for via her lead role as Preeti, a woman on the verge of either total collapse or utter reinvention.
Finding herself at odds inwardly and outwardly thanks to being in a state of affairs that is not ideal or healthy, Preeti strives to find that path that will usher in a newfound, or perhaps really reinvigorated and more substantial, validity as the woman she wants to be, but has allowed to be smothered by indecision, staying in a relationship that belittles her, and not initially having the will to truly break free. This is the kind of character that, sadly, can represent so much of what’s really out there in the world when it comes to how women are treated, and therefore I love how Rustagi illustrates a no-nonsense yet hearteningly realistic portrait of what it is to be knocked down, but then push ahead and win AS both a woman and even as a human being through her performance here. Personally, I applaud actors who are willing to try and BE as believable as they can in depicting a character, not at all pretentious or melodramatic with the emotional power they demonstrate, and I felt Rustagi brought that here with authority.
Charan manifests that character you love to hate through a performance that oozes the kind of contempt-filled, arrogant demeanor befitting the character he portrays, Ajay, Preeti’s HIGHLY egotistic and unfaithful husband. Likewise exemplifying the traits of other manipulative behavior that he uses to effectively hold Preeti “hostage” in their marriage, his tries to then salvage things when it all goes astray is just as unsettling and maddening, which of course is a total credit to just how excellent Charan’s performance is to elicit this kind of animosity towards Ajay the entire film. Khaja, on the other hand, is a fantastic picture of steadfast, uncompromising friendship and support through her turn as Sonia, one of Preeti’s best friends and someone who MORE than wants her to get OUT of the awful situation she’s in and find REAL happiness and a revitalized life. I adored Khaja’s ability to make Sonia both unflinchingly bold and beautifully endearing. Great acting!
I was pleasantly surprised to see Agrawal on screen again (the last time for me was all the way back in 2022), much less in the kind of role that really re-established why I totally love the actress’ skills, here brought to bear in a manner that also felt so different in tone, but in the best possible ways via her role as Revathi, a highly opinionated and tradition-bound best friend of Preeti’s who more than makes her mind consistently known. Whether this bodes good or ill for Preeti remains to be seen, but I will freely admit the attitude Agrawal delivers through this performance really created a second character I loved to hate for a majority of the film, a testament to Agrawal’s acting talents, filled with such fiery resolve…and an ultimately redemptive path for Revathi in it? Samala is next to make an impression, also with a conspicuously fervent but also quietly understated spirit through her performance as Preeti and Charan’s daughter, Mallika.
Devoted to her parents but then poisoned against her mother by Ajay’s embittered actions, Mallika will have to decide who to believe and what path to walk when it comes to her mother’s happiness and need for emancipation from a relationship even Mallika hasn’t realized was as toxic as it is. I love the sense of vibrant charm and serious dramatic potency Samala brings here. Frank Lawson is Jackson, a local bar owner whom Preeti meets and who becomes an unlikely and affecting presence in her life as she chases her liberation from the troubles she’s facing. Puneet arrives as Harry, a deeply encouraging friend to Preeti who may also have stronger feelings for her than she realizes. Other supporting turns arrive from Jewel Hargrove, Ranjita Chakravarty, Anish Chandak, Sami Kuncharapu, Vasanti Bhatt, Monica Mehta Chitkara, Havish Ravipati, Palak Mukesh Joshi, Francis Perry, Tracey Silver, Jackie Dallas, Gurudev Nagaraja, Kavita Malaviya, Allison Ewing, Vikki Beretta, Nikki Randhawa, David B. Schively, Tanya Momi, Vinata Karra, and Jaleshwar Upadhyaye.
As I say often when it we speak of large ensemble casts such as this, I wish I could directly critique all of you, but that is a but prohibitive, so please accept that I very much enjoyed all of your performances and the contributions your characters made to the grander story here. Great job! So, in total, “Designed By Preeti” is a study in our human frailties and our will to persevere, to soar beyond our trials and revel in our triumphs, embracing ALL of who we aim to be in order to accept and celebrate the worthiness we represent in experiencing dynamic life, love, and ambitions finally being realized in more healthy, resolute, and impassioned ways.
STAR RATING (out of 5):
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
