A Studio 1052 Film
DOCTORED
Love. Lies. Medical Bills.
20.9% funded
$178,000 to go
The line goes flat without you.
The Film
"A medical fraud agent poses as a doctor to investigate a low-income clinic, but finds himself torn between his ideology and his heart when he falls for the clinic's receptionist."
Doctored is a romantic comedy set inside the rarely-seen world of medical finance — a system so broken, so deliberately opaque, that even the people sent to investigate it start losing the plot.
A medical fraud agent goes undercover at a low-income clinic, starts questioning everything he believed, and falls for the prime suspect's daughter.
What starts as an investigation becomes a love story. What starts as a love story becomes a moral crisis — a story about what happens when doing your job and doing the right thing stop being the same thing.
Why Now
Medical debt is the leading cause of personal bankruptcy in the United States. Most people never understand how the billing system works — who profits, who suffers, and who is paid to look the other way. Doctored tells this story through the lens of comedy and romance, because sometimes laughter is the only honest response to systemic absurdity.
Proof of Concept
We didn't just pitch a dream.
We proved it works.
Before asking for a single dollar, Kalpita shot a proof of concept — a fully realized scene demonstrating the tone, the performances, and the vision.
The Director
Kalpita Chakote
Writer & Director
She left everything
to make this film.
Credentials
- ✦Brad Krevoy Screenwriting Competition Winner
- ✦Northwestern RTVF Excellence Writer Award Winner
- ✦Sundance Development Track Semi-Finalist
"I made this story as a love letter to grassroots heroes. My internist parents are immigrant idealists, even as they struggle to keep their practice afloat amid insurance denials and bureaucratic red tape. I see the systemic hurdles of our country and wonder how they remain positive. Doctored is a story for everyone who refuses to wait to fix what's broken."
Behind the Scenes
On Set with Doctored
A glimpse behind the camera. Click any photo to browse the full set.
On set — clinic exam room
The set cat approves
DP and AC reviewing the shot
PA operating camera
Camera and sound crew in position
Monitoring playback on set
The rig — 35mm lens ready to roll
Setting up the office scene
Blocking the shot with the actor
DP checks framing with director
Between setups — doctor's office set
Actor playing Vishud reviewing his lines
Backstage on the reception desk set
DP and AC reviewing the monitor
Camera crew ready for action
DP and AC on the last setup
From the Cutting Room
Stills from the Film
First-look frames from the world of Doctored. Click any photo to view it full-size.
In the back seat
The official poster
A video call from the van
Awaiting a reply
Two investigators at work — Office of the Inspector General
Late night at the desk
Making a plan
Inside the Van
More Than A Bagel — filming location
A conversation outside More Than A Bagel
Meeting in plain sight
From the Set
Behind the Film
Real moments from production, screenings, and the story behind the story.
The Numbers
Financial Goals & Budget
Every dollar has a purpose. Here's how the $225,000 total budget is allocated.
Budget Secured
$47,000
Still Needed
$176,512
Cast, crew, equipment, locations, and on-set production costs
Festival submissions, press materials, trailers, and digital marketing
Reserved for unforeseen costs during production and post
Editing, color grade, sound design, original score
Grant writing and fundraising platform fees
Legal contracts, rights clearances, and entity formation
Costs incurred producing the proof of concept short
Fiscal sponsorship provided by Grateful Film Fund. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Beyond the Screen
Release Strategy
Stay tuned — we are rewriting our release strategy and sponsor tiers.
Phase 1: Festivals (2027-2028)
✦Targeted premiering at Tier-1 festivals (Sundance, Tribeca)
Phase 2: Educational Tour
✦Partnerships with medical associations (AAPI, AMA, etc.) and university health programs (MSA) & cultural organizations (SASA)
Phase 3: Digital/Streaming
✦Leveraging The Gotham, independent film streamers, and media markets for independent distribution
Support the Film
Be a Part of Something Real
Independent film runs on belief. Every dollar tells us — and the industry — to keep going.
Tax-deductible · via Grateful Film Fund
Or give directly — any amount helps
★ Recommended · Tax-Deductible
Give Through Grateful Film Fund
Donate via our fiscal sponsor. Your contribution is tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law — and supports an independent filmmaker directly.
via Grateful Film Fund
Direct Support
Give Directly
Every dollar goes straight to production. Not tax-deductible.
Considering a larger investment? Let's have a real conversation.
Donor Opportunities
Donor Opportunities
Every contribution — big or small — helps bring Doctored to the screen.
Creative Sessions with Kalpita
$1,000
one-time donation
- ✦Join a creative session with writer-director Kalpita Chakote
- ✦Thank You Credit
Be an Extra on Set
$500
one-time donation
- ✦Experience a day on set as a background extra
- ✦Invitation to Watch the Dailies
- ✦Thank You Credit
2-Hour Sit In Preproduction
$250
one-time donation
- ✦Sit in on a 2-hour preproduction meeting and see the planning come to life
- ✦Thank You Credit
Prefer a tax deduction? Donate via Grateful Film Fund
Brand Alignment
Sponsor Opportunities
Doctored tells the story of healthcare for working-class communities. If your brand shares that mission, let's talk.
Product Placement
Custom
- ✦Product clearly visible on-screen and depicted in a positive light
- ✦Private screening of the finished film for your company
- ✦Your company included in the film's opening credits
- ✦On-set visit while the film is shooting
Community Partner
Custom
- ✦Alignment with a film addressing healthcare inequality
- ✦Inclusion in film credits and marketing materials
- ✦Invitation to community screenings and panels
For custom sponsorship packages, contact kalpitachakote@gmail.com
Investor Opportunities
All investors will be recognized in the film credits.
$50,000
Executive Producer
1.20x ROI
- ✦Visit on Set
- ✦Invitation to Watch the Dailies
- ✦Exclusive Viewing of the Film
$25,000
Co-Producer
1.15x ROI
- ✦Invitation to Watch the Dailies
- ✦Exclusive Viewing of the Film
For Larger Investors
Interested in Investing?
Let's Talk.
If you're an investor, producer, or industry contact who wants to understand the project in depth before committing — Kalpita wants to talk to you. No pitch deck fluff. Just an honest conversation about the film, the plan, and what's possible.
Book a 30-minute call with Kalpita directly.