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 The unpublished manuscript was a finalist for the Writing Award in the 2022 Page Turner Awards.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

Inferno (2016)

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Rarely are movies better than books, this being one of them. I usually read Dan Brown’s books in a day or two, Inferno took a few months as it was written for a film. It was obvious from the beginning why this and not ‘The Lost Symbol’ was made into a movie.

Ron Howard has done full justice to the visually morbid and disturbing masterpiece by Dante. The film moved fast, keeping all but one main plot point intact. Tom Hanks is his usual dependable self, the only actor who can play the patient, knowledgeable and quick witted Robert Langdon. Felicity Jones is the strong and smart Dr. Brooks. Irrfan Khan has the unenviable task of playing Harry ‘The Provost’, an effortless act done with charm.

In the end, I was left with an experience of having watched a film but not having connected with it. It was all words and fury with none of the emotion or revelation that should have accompanied it.

2/5

Miss Peregrine’s home for peculiar children (2016)

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Young author Ransom Riggs who wrote the novel probably never thought it would be made into a $110 million dollar movie. Tim Burton was perfect to direct this dark, quirky film, which is characteristic of his unique style.

The story keeps you guessing, until they reveal the secret. Building the plot slowly, whilst sharing little nuggets of information of a new world, it keeps you adequately engaged.

An ensemble cast act out a host of characters, each more mysterious and ‘gifted’ than the next.

An interesting fantasy watch.

2.5/5

Lights out (2016)

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What could have been a very scary film turned out to be a tepid attempt at creating fear. While the basic premise was good, and they stayed away from the usual mumbo jumbo which scars horror movies, it didn’t work.

Director David F. Sandberg has used a universal fear premise with good technique without resorting to too much special effects, but served the cursory scare menu. The result? A few jumps and lights on.

1.5/5

M.S.Dhoni (2016)

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Neeraj Pandey, director of A Wednesday, Special 26 and Baby had a daunting task attempting to make a biopic of someone so young and so loved. So he did what was commercially viable, he played safe.

The story writes itself. With such a subject matter it is easy to falter and easier to stay on course. While the film is good, it isn’t exceptional and the same can be said for the direction. It stretches in parts, especially in the second half, but not to the point that you lose interest.

You wonder how come everyone Dhoni encountered was nice, and why the story telling didn’t dwell in any controversy or grey areas. The story has its share of trials, but none that break the viewer to the point where confidence is painstakingly built back.

Performances are good across all actors. Sushant is stoic, reserved, humble and polite, all the glimpses of Dhoni we have to come to know. His family, his personal life, his friends and coaches etc, all feature great acting, but could have had better writing.

The film is mounted on a large budget, owing to the seamless morphing of Sushant’s face onto Dhoni. It’s done extremely well at the box office, and the real reason, is the true hero of the film, who makes an entry in the closing shot. Dhoni, who is grounded and looked up to by all of us, carries this film, like many matches he has won, effortlessly.

3/5 (1 for every hour 😉)

Bridget Jones’s Baby (2016)

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Sharon Maguire, who directed Bridget Jones’s Diary, is at the helm once more, bringing a well written comedy alive on screen.

Post 40 and single, a visibly aged Renee Zellweger plays the adorable Bridget, who ploughs through life even though it’s handed her a bunch of lemons. Destiny and a good friend bring her to adventures she isn’t prepared for. Enter Patrick Dempsey, a valid prospect, but good old Darcy ‘Colin Firth’ keeps popping up as a reminder of her past.

A tricky situation arises, leaving the 3 leads to entertain us in a sophisticated yet boisterous manner. The entire cinema was in splits at their predicament.

A fun watch and a good last act to the last two films.

3/5

Pink (2016)

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It’s a man’s world. From time immemorial women have had to prove and protect themselves, their chastity and their character. Indian society has separate rules for both genders and we need to see, understand and process films like PINK, again and again, to challenge our prejudices and hopefully evolve.

Amitabh Bachchan is a retired lawyer, simmering in the background, watching unfortunate events unfold for three young women. He eventually boils over into a formidable force who turns the entire case on its head with a single word.

Director Anniruddha Roy Chowdhury has created a film where people applauded and cheered at various points, a rare occurrence in a multiplex. The message is loud and clear, and so are the heinous attitudes that prevail for women across our great country. A lot needs to change. Movies like this show there is hope.

Performances are of a high standard from the entire cast. Every member plays his or her part well, whether negative or positive. Amitabh Bachchan is a rare actor who films seem to be written for. His own demons, the way he handles himself and the case, is trademark of his particular brand of legendary. The three girls are super, representing many social messages through the stories of their characters.

Many lines will be with you after you finish watching the movie. But one word will always remain.

Don’t underestimate the power of PINK!

3.5/5

The Shallows (2016)

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What appears as a shark attack movie is actually an unexpected tale of survival. Director Jaume Collet-Serra has captured the beauty and serenity of the waves, a tranquil beach and pristine waters, and juxtaposed it with a terrifying shark who is lurking in the shallows.

Blake Lively does a sincere role, playing a spirited woman, who takes charge of her situation, with a little help from nature. Crisp at 86 minutes, it balances the tense with the scenic, never relying on old formula to scare, rather a reasoned approach which makes the reality more fragile and horrific.

3/5

Sully (2016)

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Clint Eastwood directs a riveting biographical drama, ‘Sully’, giving us insights into what led up to the miraculous landing of a civilian aircraft in the Hudson River in 2009.

Captain Sully, is played delicately by Tom Hanks, where he brings a responsible quality during a very challenging emergency. Aaron Eckhart plays his able co-pilot, who supports him during unprecedented circumstances.

The result? A gripping tale, well edited, told with dignity, building appropriate tension in its short running time. A clean, crisp film which doesn’t get melodramatic.

3.5/5

Don’t breathe (2016)

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Director Fede Alvarez warns you about the film in the title itself. The premise is simple. Steal from the blind man. Little do the three young people know, that ‘ex-marine’ won’t be an easy target.

Very quickly into the film, you find your own breathing slow down and become shallow, almost stopping in parts which have been written to shock, surprise, disgust and terrify.

The end result? A good quality thriller with an unusual plot and even more ghastly twist.

Enjoy conserving oxygen!

3/5

It’s my life

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A phrase we often utter or hear, which is not true at all. From the moment we come in contact with another human being, we trust them with ourselves. Hell, we can physically hurt ourself with no help from anyone else! Crossing the road? Getting on an elevator? Boarding a flight? Train? Car? Boat? Bike? Your safety depends on everyone else watching out for you, and themselves. When you identify that we depend on an entire network of lives, technology and engineering, as they do on us to keep things running smoothly, you realise our life is really not our own. Yes we fulfil our goals and desires through it, and run it the way we like, but more often than not, it is governed by external forces. Your job, your family, your friends, etc. In a nutshell, life is fragile and co-dependant. We all come alone and leave alone, but during our time here we are in the same boat, living lives we think are ours but actually they involve a lot more people and factors. Appreciate the enormity of that reality and give yourself credit, be the best cog in the wheel and protect yourself and those around you.