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 The unpublished manuscript was a finalist for the Writing Award in the 2022 Page Turner Awards.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.

Patriots Day (2016)

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Director Peter Berg recreates a terror attack with dignity, keeping the pace fast and the emotional quotient intact.

Based on the Boston Marathon bombings, it has a good cast which are there to say the story of their characters. Mark Wahlberg, Kevin Bacon, John Goodman, J.K.Simmons and Michelle Monaghan play their parts well, in a responsible way, having the real people at hand as a reference.

It’s a sad state of affairs which leads to anything like this, and we get a glimpse of one of the reasons this could have happened.

A gripping movie which highlights the resilience of community spirit above anything else.

3/5

Kong: Skull Island (2017)

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One film old director Jordan Charles Vogt-Roberts gives us a Kong which surprisingly walks the fine line between gigantic beast and protective king very well.

The Vietnam war is the backdrop, and America was doing what it does best – meddling. We have a Benetton crew go to skull island as the only unchartered part left of the planet and voila, there’s Kong!

Kong has a personality, and a back story! He’s not just a menacing entity, causing destruction, but a species in his natural habitat, protecting the natives. Unsolicited violence begets more violence, which unleashes the species Kong is keeping in check.

The beauty of the film is its pristine setting, gorgeous mountains, lakes and landscapes. Not only does Kong look like he’s at home, he doesn’t seem scary. He has a lovely moment with the humans, far more to write home about compared to his 2005 unrequited romance.

The end is thrilling, the pace of the film is fast with enough time to absorb the inhabitants of the island and the survival game. The ensemble cast is perfect.

A fun pre-summer blockbuster which is a roaring success already!

3/5

Badrinath ki Dulhania (2017)

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The ‘Varun-Alia’ couple are back! This time round, though it looks all song and dance, it has many ‘in your face’ messages.

While people may not agree with the story or the methods, I felt the messages were strong and relevant. It’s Jhansi, a 10th grade pass Badrinath is smitten with Vaidehi. She is not interested. But he doesn’t get that. Why? Because that’s how he has been brought up. The first of many changes which have to take place in Indian mentality.

Issues of dowry, the male child, women’s rights and respect are thrown in the face of male and societal patriarchy. Challenged by the duo in the film, though they may not seem current in the metros and larger cities, they are still prevelant in many parts of India. See this as a nudge to those people who need to stand up and fight for doing the right thing.

Peppered with some pretty song and dance, some comedy and friendly bonding, but the issues stay intact. Till the end. A great supporting cast who play their characters very well, complete the story.

It was a well made sugar coated medicine and will do its job!

3/5

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Ever wonder why there isn’t a Men’s day? Because men didn’t have to struggle for their rights. 8th of March is a commemoration of the day women took to the streets to get fair treatment in the workplace. I will be happiest when this date no longer needs special mention, when both genders will be considered equal, judged on their merit and nothing else.

Logan (2017)

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I do not enjoy very violent films. I can’t digest gore. But this film is filled with so much adrenaline, raw action and well shot sequences, that it took my breath away.

Touted as the best X-Men film, it makes a huge impact, because it shows the vulnerable, weak and hidden side of a mutant delicately. We see an aging Logan, who fights with demons on the inside and lonely realities on the outside, only to be confronted by very uncomfortable truths.

The villain here is not a person, though there are antagonists. The ‘bad guy’ here is the inner turmoil, facing what we are trying to escape, and above all, the fear of ‘feeling’.

Young Dafne Keen, who plays Laura, will blow your mind with her performance. She is a powerhouse, who plays both ends of the spectrum with so much ease, it’s shocking to note she is only 11 or 12 years old. Patrick Stewart and Stephan Merchant provide able support, while adding finishing touches to their characters.

A fitting farewell to Hugh Jackman’s much admired
character ‘Wolverine’ by director James Mangold, Logan is a class act.

3.5/5

The Ghazi Attack (2017)

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Debutant director Sankalp Reddy brings us a tight film with enough pace and tension to make the two hour running time educative and entertaining.

An ensemble cast effort, everyone plays their part. The one that stands out the most is Kay Kay Menon. His character has a graph and a back story which make the others look a little underdeveloped.

Rana Daggubati has a strong ‘junior’ presence, while Atul Kulkarni supports effectively. Taapsee Pannu has the privilege of being the adult female on board the submarine. Rahul Singh manages to incite hate in the short time he’s there. The late Om Puri has a stoic role to suit his stature.

It was a refreshing change to see such content made well and play out decently. Our film makers and audiences should diversify what they make and watch. The film is still running which means it has people who appreciate it.

3/5

Moonlight (2016)

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Director Barry Jenkins presents a stifling tale of courage and despair in this simple film. The movie chronicles the life of a boy names Chiron in 3 stages, and the characters that torment him and keep him sane.

Performances are outstanding, especially for the young Alex Hibbert and teenage Ashton Sanders who play the suppressed child and teen with multiple issues so well. The adult Trevante Rhodes continues the streak, hiding his demons behind physical strength.

Chiron’s mother, Naomie Harris creates a lasting impact in many scenes, whilst Mahershala Ali strikes a balance between a kind stranger and a close well wisher.

The pace of the film is slow, building gradually using difficult circumstances and situations. It culminates appropriately leaving the viewer heavy at the lives they have witnessed.

A small film with a big heart.

3/5

Lion (2016)

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Director Garth Davis takes a beautiful story based on the novel ‘A Long way home’ and turns it into an extraordinary film which simmers slowly, to boil over your emotions and tears as it progresses.

Sunny Pawar, all of 8 years old (playing Saroo at age 5 in the film) is a confident yet unassuming talent, who pulls you into his world with his compelling eyes and indefatigable spirit. Little Saroo helps his brother Guddu so that they may provide some food on the plate. Poverty has been shown with dignity, unlike other Hollywood movies, so has the plight of the downtrodden. Saroo’s inadvertent journey takes him far from his village in a big bad city, where he is quick to escape from danger and senses what’s good or not for him. Kindness takes him to an orphanage and finally to Australia.

A grown Saroo, played effectively by Dev Patel seeks his roots, his home. But how would he find a remote village with an obscure memory of it ? His parents, played by Nicole Kidman and David Wenham are such fine examples of how a father and mother should be. Nicole is caring, confident and is a patient mother while David is casual, strong and a supportive father.

The movie explores themes of family, belonging, parenting, siblings, love, and the bond between mother and child without poking you in the eyes. The emotions flow, muted and discreet, until the final frame, but you don’t feel distraught, rather a renewed belief in humanity ensues.

3.5/5

Split (2017)

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The baffling power of the human mind, the potential it has to transform, is the underlying thread in this complex film which has the audience glued to the screen.

James McAvoy, the ‘patient’ speaks of his multiple personalities with Betty Buckley, his Doctor. Caught in the storm of what seems to be a situation on the mend, is Anna Taylor-Joy, and two of her friends.

It’s a fascinating direction by M. Night Shyamalan that makes the tale gripping, a metaphorical journey to the unknown. We soon become victims ourselves, trying to find ways out which are far from the ordinary. He presents his characters in a real way, no exaggeration or caricatures which are easily accepted in our own reality.

James is a revelation, holding the film squarely on his expressions, body language and behaviour. It’s scary to witness, more so than a conventional horror film, what we are capable of as human beings via his acting. Betty as Dr. Fletcher is so good, that you feel like talking to her about your own issues, as she creates such a safe, gentle and helpful enviroment. Anna as Casey is brilliant. Restrained and oddly comfortable in her circumstances she faces her own demons.

Made on a budget of $9 million it has already grossed $197 million and for good reason. This ones a thinker and deserves a watch.

3.5/5

Jolly LLB 2 (2017)

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Touted as a black comedy this film is a total contempt of any genre, as it can’t make up its mind. Defying logic, with a graph trembling out of control, it’s filled with moronic highs and lows and tacky product placements.

Akshay Kumar usually does good content but here it’s beyond laughable. It’s shocking how much mockery has been made of the legal system, a judge and lawyers. One moment you are in a tense situation, the next moment you have foolish jokes and crass references.

Let’s examine the ‘law’ aspect of things. There is none. No respect at all, hence no fear or accountability. It’s a film with caricatures and planted emotions which anger you instead of creating empathy. Forced songs which are so lame that your eyes roll behind your head. Huma Qureshi is wasted, Annu Kapoor is an idiot, Saurabh Shukla is silly.

A big step down for director Subhash Kapoor after Jolly LLB. Absurd to say the least.

Enough ranting.

1/5