SYNOPSIS
THE STORY
Told through the lens of filmmaker Ben Rekhi, Breaking the Code tells the true story of his father, Kanwal Rekhi -the first Indian to fight his way to the top of big tech and take a company public in Silicon Valley. Facing extraordinary prejudice on his rise through the ranks, Kanwal confronted immense challenges at home and in family. Now, when a sudden crisis befalls his wife Ann, father and son must confront the true cost of success, and what it truly means to belong. His journey defied the odds to change perceptions of Indians globally, sparking an entrepreneurial revolution that helped propel India into the global superpower it is today.
SYNOPSIS
THE STORY
Told through the lens of filmmaker Ben Rekhi, Breaking the Code tells the true story of his father, Kanwal Rekhi -the first Indian to fight his way to the top of big tech and take a company public in Silicon Valley. Facing extraordinary prejudice on his rise through the ranks, Kanwal confronted immense challenges at home and in family. Now, when a sudden crisis befalls his wife Ann, father and son must confront the true cost of success, and what it truly means to belong. His journey defied the odds to change perceptions of Indians globally, sparking an entrepreneurial revolution that helped propel India into the global superpower it is today.
THE SUBJECT
KANWAL REKHI
One of Silicon Valley's most influential — and least conventional — pioneers
The first Indian-American founder and CEO to take a company public on the NASDAQ. A co-architect of India's entrepreneurial revolution. A mentor to more startup founders than he can count.
Born into a lower-middle-class refugee family after the Partition of British India, Rekhi arrived in America in 1967 with $8 in his pocket and a thick accent — and was promptly underestimated. He transformed that doubt into fuel. After earning his master's in electrical engineering, he co-created Excelan to commercialize Ethernet and TCP/IP — the basis of the Internet — leading the company to a successful IPO in 1987 before spearheading its merger with Novell.
As president of TiE (The IndUS Entrepreneurs), he helped build the world's largest mentoring network for Indian entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley. He has mentored 10,000+ entrepreneurs and invested in 200+ early-stage teams, including Exodus Communications, Poshmark, redBus, Sierra Atlantic, and NetMagic.
THE SUBJECT
KANWAL REKHI
One of Silicon Valley's most influential — and least conventional — pioneers
The first Indian-American founder and CEO to take a company public on the NASDAQ. A co-architect of India's entrepreneurial revolution. A mentor to more startup founders than he can count.
Born into a lower-middle-class refugee family after the Partition of British India, Rekhi arrived in America in 1967 with $8 in his pocket and a thick accent — and was promptly underestimated. He transformed that doubt into fuel. After earning his master's in electrical engineering, he co-created Excelan to commercialize Ethernet and TCP/IP — the basis of the Internet — leading the company to a successful IPO in 1987 before spearheading its merger with Novell.
As president of TiE (The IndUS Entrepreneurs), he helped build the world's largest mentoring network for Indian entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley. He has mentored 10,000+ entrepreneurs and invested in 200+ early-stage teams, including Exodus Communications, Poshmark, redBus, Sierra Atlantic, and NetMagic.
TOUR & SCREENINGS
UPCOMING SCREENINGS
OCT
10-12
HEARTHLAND FILM FESTIVAL
INDIANAPOLIS
OCT 16
BOSTON ASIAN AMERICAN FIL FESTIVAL
BOSTON
OCT 17
TASVEER FILM FESTIVAL
SEATTLE
BRING FILM TO YOUR CITY
SELECTION & AWARDS
ON THE CIRCUIT
THE CREW
BEHIND THE FILM
Directed By - BEN REKHI
Award-winning filmmaker — Waterborne, The Ashram, The Reunited States.
Co-Director - Swetlana
Journalist & filmmaker, based in India.
Producer - Shubhika Sharma
Featuring Kanwal Rekhi
Silicon Valley pioneer; author of The Groundbreaker.
Editor - Akanksha Kalhe
Associate Editor - Sayyam Khanna
Co-Producers - Aishwarya Sonar,
Triparna Banerjee
Archival Producer - Amoli Birewar
Cinematographers - JP Dobrin,
Emily Abt, Ben Rekhi
Gaffer - Cain Czopek
Composers - Freya Berkhout,
William Ryan Fritch
Sound Design - Kunal Rajan
CREATOR & INFLUENCER CAMPAIGN
WHERE YOU COME IN
We're partnering with a select group of creators, tastemakers, and community leaders aligned with the central theme of the film — that if you're brave enough to bet on yourself, you can find purpose and effect real change in the world. Our distribution is a digital-forward release built to reach millions of viewers where they are, and your voice speaks powerfully to this mission.
We'd be honored to work with you to bring Breaking the Code to audiences around the world. As an independent film we may not always meet your normal rate, but we'll propose what we can, in hopes you'll join us. Respond with your interest and we'll send terms for your review.
COOLABORATION
FOR OUR PARTNERS
EDITORIAL & MEDIA
CREATORS
Tailored episodic clips, talking points, interview soundbites, and curated visual assets built for digital creators, culture writers, and podcasters
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ORGANIZATIONS
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DIGITAL CAMPAIGNS
SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLKIT
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PRESS & EXIBITION
PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS
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STILLS
SELECTED FRAMES
INQUIRIES
GET IN TOUCH
ben@reunitedsates.tv