AWAKEN
Written/Directed by Leena Pendharkar Produced by Reena Dutt Cinematography by Daud Sani Production Design by Alex Wilt
AWAKEN SYNOPSIS: RAKHI SINGH, 40’s, has recently put her mom, UMA, into a special care center for dementia. But unfortunately, Uma isn’t taking well to it, and still has long spells of crying. Rakhi brings her mom home in hopes of comforting her, helping her reset and find her way, only to find that it’s miserable for her. Rakhi is at a loss as to what to do, but when her mother runs off, clinging to her to love of the ocean, Rakhi finds a solution. It’s not an easy one, but it’s a solution.
CAST:
Parminder Nagra as Rakhi can currently be seen in the hugely successful Netflix movie "Bird Box". The film was directed by Susanne Bier as Parminderstars opposite Sandra Bullock and Sarah Paulson. In March, the feature “Five Feet Apart” will be released by Lionsgate/CBS Films where Parminder will star opposite Haley Lu Richardson and Claire Forlani. Nagra made her feature film debut starring as Jess in the critically acclaimed film "Bend It Like Beckham," which garnered worldwide attention. She also stared in the UK's Channel 4 film version of "Twelfth Night" as Viola, opposite Chiwetel Ejiofor. Parminder has also been a fixture on the television side as she is currently recurring on the Netflix hit series “13 Reasons Why” as well as “God Friended Me” for CBS. Her past television credits have included “Fortitude” opposite Dennis Quaid, the “Blacklist" as CIA agent Meera Malik on NBC’s high-action government crime thriller, Season 4 of “Marvel Agent’s of Shield”, “Elementary” on CBS, and of course for her role as as Neela Rasgotra, a British-Indian surgical intern on the long-running American medical drama, “ER.”
Tone: Visceral Drama
That explores mother/daughter relationships
With a Subjective Point of View that explores caregiving, loneliness from a female perspective
Camera/Lighting Style: Moody, low key lighting, shallow focus, with pops of color, and small movements
Deeper Themes: Love, longing, a sense of connection
Against an abstract Cityscape.
Wardrobe: High style with grays, pops of pinks, purples

 Leena Pendharkar, Writer/Director Website: www.leenap.com