Author: sandeepadnani

Sandeep Adnani is the Amazon #1 Bestselling Author of ‘The Codes of the Exiled Rogue’ , ‘The Origin of the Exiled Rogue’ and ‘The Prophecy of the Exiled Rogue’ eBooks. He nurtured this metaphysical and transformational fiction idea for over six years before publishing the first part in July 2019. All three books of ‘The Exiled Rogue Series’, a trilogy about the purpose and meaning of life and beyond, are Amazon #1 Bestsellers in multiple categories. His first book, The Codes of the Exiled Rogue was declared an Award-Winning Finalist in the Fiction: Visionary category of the 2021 International Book Awards. His second book, The Origin of the Exiled Rogue was an Award Winner in the Science Fiction: Alien/Space category of the 2021 American Fiction Awards. It was also an Award-Winning Finalist in the Visionary Fiction category of the 2021 American Fiction Awards. His third book, The Prophecy of the Exiled Rogue was an Award Winning Finalist in the Fiction: Visionary category of the 2021 Best Book Awards sponsored by American Book Fest. The omnibus of the trilogy, The Exiled Rogue Series, won the Silver Medal at the Global Book Awards 2022, in the Metaphysical & Visionary Fiction category and Gold Winner at the ABLE Awards in 2024 in the Book Series category. Embarking on new genres, he has seven new stand-alone books in the offing. In 2021, he completed writing a futuristic sci-fi-romance which he is currently querying. The unpublished manuscript was a finalist for the Writing Award in the 2022 Page Turner Awards. He finished writing a mystery novel in 2022 and an Alternate Fiction novella in 2023. He has published three non-fiction novellas in the YOU DECIDE series. He is currently working on an illustrated children's book. He changed careers from the advertising/media industry and is now a mental health counsellor in Melbourne, with bases in Mumbai and Dubai as well.

White House Down (2013)

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No stranger to blowing up the White House, Director Roland Emmerich (Independance Day, The Day After Tomorrow, 2012, amongst other big budget destruction films) has shown us a very ‘real inside drama’ of what could happen if the President was not attacked by outside terrorists.

The motive here is kept hidden until the end, but what you get to see is a President who is not used to violence and a policeman who seizes the moment by protecting him. The film is predictable and a little clichéd, but the ‘protocol’ is fun to watch as it unfolds. Channing Tatum does a fair job in a film that belongs to a big cast and Jamie Foxx is on the border of being a stereo typical leader but gets away by giving the character his individual streak.

In the string of White House movies, this is the most chilled out one to watch as patriotism, Bollywood style drama and Soap Opera style whodunit unfold amongst good quality special effects.

2.5/5

Inferno (2013)

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I remember falling off the bed, quite literally, when I reached the middle of ‘Da Vinci Code’. Since then I am a Dan Brown fan. I then read ‘Angels & Demons’, which was better in many ways than the code. I read his first two books, ‘Digital Fortress’ and ‘Deception Point’. In every book the classic Dan Brown style was to educate us about art or history or technology or conspiracy, or a combination of these. There was a distinct writing technique, which made all his books predictably structured but the plot always kept you guessing.

Then came ‘The Lost Symbol’, which I got on the day it released and raced through it, expecting some major ‘falling of the bed’ conspiracy, which never happened. But a fan always remains a fan, or so I thought. Inferno, is sluggish and that’s probably why I left it for a good few weeks in between reads. I finally finished it a few days back and here goes, my first book review.

We are steeped in the history and symbolism which surrounds Dante’s writing that inspired a piece of art, vividly referenced throughout the book. Our Harvard symbologist is Robert Langdon is present, with an unusual female companion, who is of course beautiful, intelligent, quick witted and resourceful.

There is a bizarre chase going on here and the stakes are high, but somehow the reader doesn’t want to be part of it. He wants to hear about it on the evening news. “Whatever happened to that guy?”, you would ask, and the reporter on TV would say,”The suspect on the xyz case has been caught.” That would put your mind at ease, and you don’t want to go through the nitty gritty.

As the last few pages are left, we get to know what where when how etc, but by then it’s too late. I think his style of either giving us shocks throughout, or one big shock in the middle, work better. We need more from Mr. Brown. Having said this I think I will still be in line on May 14th for his next book, whenever he recovers from this inferno.

2/5

Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013)

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Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra (ROM): Sheer Brilliance

Farhan Akhtar: Pure physical strength as an athlete and 110% talent as an actor

With that out of the way, I will start with the one and only thing that I felt could deter the success of this film, and that’s the length. At 187 minutes ‘running time’ (pun intended), it is a medium paced drama that unfolds at reasonable pace. Not one scene or act or song is extra or un-required, but it may seem long for the majority of audiences.

ROM does what he does best, weaving history with cinema in a way that presents a time capsule to us, authentic and un-adulterated. ROM was a national level swimmer, and represented India in the 1982 Asian games, so he is no stranger to feeling the tension and excitement of the ‘games environment’. He has translated that wonderfully on to the screen, keeping in the mind how different the era was at that time.

The journey of the ‘Flying Sikh’, played wonderfully by the young Milkha and carried forward with a towering performance by Farhan, make this film a ‘record’ of sorts. From his humble beginnings, to the scar of partition, to growing up and proving himself, the audience is always with Milkha and watching him at the same time. We develop this relationship of an unsaid mentor, guide or spectator, wishing we could somehow change his path. But he always surprises us with his choices, doing the unsaid, treading the unknown, challenging himself beyond measure and the rest, is of course, history.

Perhaps the misfit in this film was Sonam Kapoor, but her presence doesn’t hamper the film in anyway, and ROM has managed to get a performance out of her too.

Divya Dutta, Prakash Raj, Yograj Singh, Pawan Malhotra, Dalip Tahil and a host of other actors have very well written characters. It would be wrong to say they support the story, as they are in some way part of Milkha himself, not only his journey. So in this respect lets call them extensions of the main character, which rarely happens in movies.

The camera work to shoot a sport like running can get repetitive, but they have paid attention to make sure the angles and shots are different and unique. The cinematography, especially in the scenes where he is training, is breath taking. The music is appropriate for the energy and circumstance of the many events depicted in the film.

I know this review is ‘running a little long’, but as you will realise once you see it, its hard to do justice to it in few words. I thought about who else could play Milkha, and there is no one in our industry who can do so, the way Farhan did. He was a revelation with his many facets, but his most prized was definitely the grit and determination he conveyed WITHOUT the use of his startling physique. He got across the madness, the religious discipline and the many small moments and misdemeanours, which Milkha himself would have come across.

I went with a Bollywood enthusiast who watches 2 films a year, and he wanted this to be one of them, so that should say something. Run to the closest cinema to you, this is one film which will inspire you.

4/5

 

Some Trivia:

–          Milkha sold his story for 1 rupee to ROM

–          Apparently, Sonam was paid 11 rupees for her role (too much, but hey the girl needs to shop!

–          ROM purchased Milkha’s original shoes which he won the Olympic games with, for 41000 USD and gifted them to Farhan

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If God is Love, then Love is Divine! Celebrate it, transmit it, multiply it! The Universe has no choice but to give it back to you, ten fold! Where there is Love, there is no fear, or sadness, only joy and peace.

Despicable me 2 (2013)

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A highly unusual premise in the first film made this an awaited sequel. The team gives us more entertainment, more comic situations and more sub plots in a faster more dramatic story. Yes the first one was path breaking, but here they stuck to the safer ‘worldly’ realm.

The highlight of the film, are without a doubt, the Minions. In the last film they were the supporting cast but here they are pretty much the strength of the ensemble of characters. Gru and his girls, Dr. Nefario, Lucy and the others take us on a ‘whodunnit’ tale with comedy at every corner.

Enjoy the humour that needs no words and see something which is as far from ‘despicable’ as can be!

3.5/5

Lootera (2013)

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Director of ‘Udaan’, Vikramaditya Motwane brings us a fine, period romance, set in the 1950s. Having assisted Sanjay Leela Bhansali, you get glimpses of the aesthetics and detail which only SLB brings alive on the screen.

It is a delicate balance to make a film like this work on screen, and from the first frame onwards, the directors weaves a world, gently holding your hand, taking you along with his story. Once that is established, the story unfolds at a leisurely pace. I won’t call it slow, because it is appropriate for the period it is set in. There are dramatic and emotional high points in the film which are intense and heart wrenching.

Though I am not a fan of Sonakshi, I have to admit the girl looks the part, but more importantly does a complex role in an understated and confident manner. Ranvir Singh is in a very different avatar from his previous films, very soft spoken and restrained, which he does well.

The story is predictable but beautiful. Part of the plot is based on O’Henry’s short story ‘The Last Leaf’. The music is soft and melodious, supporting the plot well. Most times songs are part of the background and the expressions of the lead actors carry the tunes.

The locales that have been captured, the cinematography and the ‘visual story’ that runs parallel to the plot is the highlight of the film. The way the changing landscape and seasons have been presented shows the many levels this deep tale has.

Overall, it was a rich experience, definitely not for the masses. It would be like serving Creme Brulé to people who only like Jello.

3.5/5

Class of 1997

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16 years later, as I sat in the Emirates Theatre for my neice Revna’s high school graduation, many emotions, memories, friendships came flooding back, as was expected.

I walked in to the Emirates International School (EIS), with a few very old members of staff recognising me. I wanted to be everywhere at once, talk to everyone, take in all the detail, and hold on to it as much as I could. I recognised the familiar scent of the school, every place has its own fragrance, and this was the place where I spent the best 4 years of my school life. I saw myself in the pages of the yearbook, through the eager twinkly eyes of the students who welcomed me.

I remember moving from Cambridge High School (CHS) in 1993, where some excellent teachers taught. Three of them had moved to EIS; my mentor and academic mother, Pratibha Rao, my History teacher Harpinder Kaur and the one who singularly worked with me on my writing, Anna Valencia.

Nothing can describe walking down those steps, almost like doing a deep sea dive into the ocean of memories it held for everyone who ever went to EIS. The numerous events, plays, shows, speeches, International Days, Friendship Days, Earth Days flashed before my eyes, knowing full well I had a few hours to relive those moments and that was certainly not enough.

Proud parents were talking about their children’s achievements, we were glancing at the program, which had now transformed to the one I saw with baited breath while I waited to enter the theatre back in 1997. My mother’s voice echoed in my head, where she celebrated my moment back then. While I relished the ‘picture in picture’ I was seeing of my own memories and the present, I drifted back in time when our life was so much simpler!

The Ski Trip in 1994, where I was the source of much entertainment for the group. The willingness to be part of every team; The Torch, The Yearbook, The Student Council. Getting prepared for exams, watching teachers struggle with us, us with them, many leaving us, but we still got through the years and exams that followed, and did well.

I remembered words like ‘kaleidoscope’ , ‘microcosm’, ‘valediction’. Our school uniform and how the teachers put on a play for us, pretending to be students in our clothes. Its as if there’s one door and a hundred people trying to get through it, all at once, so I brought myself back to the present, ready to hoot and cheer the achievements of the present.

It was truly an International school, where there were more than 21 nationalities in our graduating class of around 45. This time round, the Class of 2013 was more than 80, and since they had so much to get through, they finished it promptly in 2 hours. Someone asked me, “Which ceremony was better?”. “Ours, without a doubt”, I said.

We had a more personal ceremony, with a beautiful song which played at the end. My memory fails me but I am sure someone will remember and mention it once they read the story. There was a huge backdrop of our caricatures on the stage behind our seats. The talent of the school performed for us and it was time to say bye to our dear friends on 29th of May, 1997.

We went to all corners of the world, studying in the world’s best universities, some starting families, some taking care of businesses, we all had our path ahead of us. 16 years later, thanks to facebook, we still keep in touch, and its great to see how well everyone has progressed. Some people haven’t aged at all and still look like they ‘seize the day’! It’s great to read (don’t kill me) about the parenting woes of many, while for me these people haven’t aged beyond 18!

What was the one thing I took with me from my high school experience? It was confidence. It had prepared me for the real world and I knew if I survived the IB Diploma, whilst maintaining the many friendships and activities, I would be fine in college and the real world.

I would just like to take this moment and tell my friends how much I miss those times. While wandering the corridors of the school and the open court yard in the middle, the canteen and the library, I could see ghosts of our past. How I wish we could all go back and visit the school together and of course have a reunion. Some of the couples who have families met way back in high school, so if that isn’t a success story, what is?

I hope wherever you are, whichever corner of the world, that you are happy, and look back on this time as I do, with nostalgic fondness.

CASoholic Sandeep

Ghanchakkar (2013)

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After directing films like ‘Aamir’ and ‘No one killed Jessica’ one wonders what possessed Raj Kumar Gupta to make this film. Sometimes I thought he was bored, or had an idea for a short film which should have been made with unknown actors. Since UTV had produced his first two films, he thought they would turn this non-idea and pull crowds to the theatres with the Dirty Picture team.

A sham! A fraud! I felt cheated and barring the few forced laughs, I did not enjoy Vidya screaming. Emraan on the other hand, did a good job of what he was supposed to do. Rajesh Sharma and Namit Das lend able support, but nothing, I repeat nothing, can save this film. Save Money, Petrol Prices have just increased again!

0.5/5

The Heat (2013)

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bleep **** blank %$£@ beep. Nothing could prepare me for the profane riot that this film was! Either catch that thread and keep rolling in your seat, sometimes out of it, clapping away at the scandalous nature of the sense of humour, or sit quietly and wonder why the moron behind you is going crazy.

After her few scenes in Hangover 3 as Cassie (yes that was her), Melissa McCarthy shocks, entertains and keeps surprising us as Mullins in this ‘Chalk has to work with Cheese’ Crime Comedy. In this instance the chalk was Sandra Bullock, and these two ‘poles apart’ personalities had to work together to solve a drug scam.

Their chemistry and compromise make the film so unique, while the writing and choice of profanity was genius. Yes, it takes brains to string a limited vocabulary to make you laugh, again and again and again!

It is an R-rated film, and rightly so! Please watch it where the content is not ‘bleeped’ out, otherwise its no fun.

3.5/5

Good bye June and half of 2013

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Thank you for everything! Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani. A festive birthday weekend. The adventures with Tigers, boats, bikes, planes and Tuk Tuks. The unforgettable stupor. The realization. YJHD. Endless painful tearful laughter. Long talks and fresh perspectives with dear friends. The walk on Juhu beach. Short stories and long silences. Movies&Musings. UNO. Inside jokes. DTPH. Chance vs. Fate / Luck vs. Destiny. Coffee. Sheesha. Green Tea. Mute looks which speak volumes. A farewell. Mumbai Monsoon. Jhalak Dikhlaja Season 6. YJHD. Family visits. Little Britain. W&G. The 3 hour blackout, and the transformation that followed in the candle light. The ‘hilarious’ Heat. The walk at 3am in the rain. FRIENDS. Seeing the miracle of life. So much to be grateful for.