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 The unpublished manuscript was a finalist for the Writing Award in the 2022 Page Turner Awards.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

Saala Khadoos (2016)

On By sandeepadnaniLeave a comment

Madhvan is back in the spot light, fitter, sporting locks and a beard, angry and resentful at how his life turned out. This story is about boxing coach Adi and a very unusual talent in a fisher woman, Madhi, played by Ritika Singh. Both actors have done a fine job to infuse life and realism brilliantly in their characters.

The struggle faced by sports men and women in general (cricketers as well I am sure), the resources set aside to them, the politics and game playing that ensues and how they emerge from that, make the basic premise of the film.

What is refreshing is its simplicity and a host of good supporting cast. Though some scenes could have been approached differently, nothing rankled the senses out of the short movie experience which was just under two hours.

Directer Sudha Kongara has tackled a tricky subject well, though it lacks the knock out it was hoping to be, settling instead for a few good punches.

3/5

The Boy (2016)

On By sandeepadnaniLeave a comment

What started out as conventional horror turned in to a thriller in the later half. Director William Brent Bell redeemed himself with more shocks than scares and we were creeped out sparingly.

Lauren Cohan agrees to take up the role of a nanny in a very bizarre home under unusual circumstances. While it takes getting used to, the helpful ‘produce’ guy Rupert Evans befriends her, throwing some light on her mysterious employers.

Though the approach on this story is appreciated, it could have been far more gripping and scary than it was.

1.5/5

Joy (2016)

On By sandeepadnaniLeave a comment

The eccentric team of ‘Silver Linings Playbook’ and ‘American Hustle’ is back with ‘Joy’. Director David O. Russell presents a semi fictional story of a woman who became an overnight success with an invention of hers.

The path to success is often paved with challenges and obstacles. While professional hurdles were aplenty, it was her family who created drama which was difficult to digest.

Spanning four generations, it’s the story of Jennifer Lawrence (Joy), her parents, grand mother, sibling, husband, friends and children. It is a very trying film to watch, with constant pressure on the protagonist and tension on her life and work. You physically feel the stress mounting as the film goes on.

Jennifer gives another startling performance at the age of 25. She handles difficult scenes with ease and communicates the void she experiences, where only she can save herself. Robert De Niro is her supportive father who himself needs support most of the time. Virginia Madsen plays her soap opera obsessed mother who doesn’t face her reality, choosing to hide behind the convoluted never ending story lines on television. Diane Ladd plays her strong, prophetic grandmother who also narrates the story. Edgar Ramirez plays her ex-husband and good friend, while Bradley Cooper (whose appearance on screen got a collective sigh from the audience) Elisabeth Rohm and Dascha Polanco ably support the proceedings. Isabella Rossellini is the surprise element, a sugar coated, selfish opportunist who represents many people of the modern world.

Metaphorical for ‘cleaning up your life’, Joy is not only her name but the feeling you get when you do the right thing and get rewards. When you speak the truth and stick to it, for ‘truth will always out’. When you face the difficult people and situations in your life with patience and silence and emerge triumphant.

A dose of reality served with love and support from unexpected corners. Much like life.

3.5/5

Airlift (2016)

On By sandeepadnaniLeave a comment

Touted as ‘Akshay Kumar’s career best’ and other such superlatives, I was intrigued to watch it. Having grown up in the Gulf, and lived through a time like this (though only on the news), it was insightful to see a dramatised version of it.

Director Raja Krishna Menon has built an authentic Kuwait (in the tiny emirate of Ras Al Khaimah) and showed us the larger perspective of what happened during its invasion by Iraq. Though certain bits are given superficial treatment, the story as a whole works.

We all know what will happen at the end, but the tension in the plot is built well. I only wish certain proceedings were given the same treatment as most of the film, the weight of the subject matter would have hit us harder. There was a struggle but not enough, it was painful to watch but didn’t rouse emotion.

Akshay Kumar has done better work, though this one is no doubt sincere. He as usual carries the film on his shoulders, communicating a ‘changed man’ very well. Nimrat Kaur, another talented actor, has little screen time, but shows us her prowess too. Purab Kohli has a short but impactful role.

All in all, the film had some missing ingredients which would have made it a complete experience. It was a solid attempt, at a modest budget, a sensible strategy 🙂

3/5

The Danish Girl (2016)

On By sandeepadnaniLeave a comment

Director Tom Hooper, who has handled complex subject matters with films such as ‘The King’s Speech’ and ‘Les Miserables’, attempts a walk on the shakiest tight rope.

The year is 1926. A very important detail, when you deal with what’s unfolding on screen. Sexuality issues, gender crisis, all surface elegantly, with treatment very appropriate to the era. Eddie Redmayne has the Herculean mission of showing his own transition (personality, dressing and persona), which he does with total abandon, grace and dignity.

His wife, played by Alicia Vikander has the even more uphill task of trying to decipher what’s going on, while torn between supporting her husband or not. All this and more where we see how truly difficult it must be for someone to forever be at crossroads with their physical identity.

Ably supported by Ben Wishaw, Matthias Schoenaerts and Sebastian Koch, the characters come to terms with a reality which was unheard of at that time. Though the drama unfolds at a slow pace, it tugs the audience into a world it may know very little of.

The film explores the breadth and depth of an individual’s anguish to deal with themselves. A brave effort.

3/5

Wazir (2016)

On By sandeepadnaniLeave a comment

Wazir: Bejoy Nambiar brings two powerful actors in a film which centres around a metaphorical and theatrical game of chess. The expectations are high, but the product he delivers is tepid and predictable.

Short at 102 minutes, he extracts good performances from Aditi Rao Hydari who looks vulnerable and beautiful, Neil Nitin Mukesh who is menacing and Manav Kaul who is moderately unlikeable. The two leads of the film are not written equally well, resulting in a half baked character for Farhan Akhtar, and a complete one for Amitabh Bachchan. That is a surprise, because Farhan is a director/actor whose choices are usually spot on. Senior Bachchan can’t do no wrong. He carries the film effortlessly and though his character is wheel-chair bound, he still towers above the rest with his superlative portrayal.

John Abraham makes a wooden cameo, and different versions of the song ‘Tere Bin’ pulls us through what could have been a taut thriller, but is soon relegated into the ordinary and below average.

2/5

Good bye December and second half of 2015

On By sandeepadnaniLeave a comment

Inside Out. High Tea fun. Family reunion in Kanpur. Five years of the Phoenix. The wheels have started turning. Go Goa Gone. Hedwig 13/8. Balance 14/8. Mellow Machan Meet. Sunny 23/8. Train to Tea Centre. Sunset leads to a beautiful horizon. Anchor by GM. Taj September. Della weekend. Ganpati déjà vu. Florence / Fleur de Lis with Nav! Four beautiful days! October Announcement! The Intern. Taj Brooke Bond Tea House. 3 years at Wasabi. Goa reloaded. Sunshine 20/10. Majestic Melbourne! A Gastronomy and Nature high! Old school letter. Milestone 30/10. Mom turns 70! Diwali birthday! I’ll be there for you… Cake mid air! The universe gave me the best gift! Celebrations end with Aaja Nachley! The Elder Wand. Gifts continue… November Detox. Aussie recipes. Tamasha. Dil Dhadakne Do on DVD! Siya Kay Ram. Diva 2016. Bajirao Mastani. One third of the year. Humayun in Dubai. Four musketeers. Always…

2015 was the toughest, most beautiful year of my life. Some things finally make sense.

Wishing everyone a 2016 that makes you HAPPY. Nothing is more important than that, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

On By sandeepadnaniLeave a comment

Bajirao Mastani (2015)

Master story teller and aesthetic genius Sanjay Leela Bhansali finally presents his long nurtured dream on celluloid. For fans of the director, and the cast, the wait was worth it.

Bajirao is played surprisingly well by a solid Ranveer Singh, who has mastered the accent and developed a body language which is believable and appropriate. He balances being the deft leader of an army, a devoted family man and a doomed lover.

Mastani, a warrior princess, an ethereal beauty of Persian descent, who else could play it but the girl with the magical touch? She can do no wrong, and this time, Deepika Padukone mesmerises us with the grace of royalty and the fierceness of a soldier. A talented danseuse aside, she emotes mainly with her eyes, speaking volumes on love, strength and pain. Kashibai, full of dignity that befits the ‘First Lady’, has the trickiest role.

Priyanka Chopra has the edge of a senior artist and shows us another mastery of accent and gestures, the other side of the spectrum from ‘Quantico’. She has a tough act of balancing herself in the face of her husband’s new love and political turmoil, which she does with a stoic humility.

The director has used dialgoue sparingly in the film, as actions and ambience speak the unspoken. Great care is taken for no scene or emotion to be melodramatic. Instead they are understated to make a far greater impression.

Costumes by Anju Modi weave their own story, while the sets and the mood is earthy, opulent, muted yet grand. The Aaina Mahal will be remembered for the resonance with its historic counterpart and its spellbinding magnificence. Bhansali has stepped way out of his comfort zone with his colour pallette. His adept treatment of war, romance, drama and politics, and the music as well, makes him a complete director.

A supporting but stellar cast comprises of many members, but the one that shines the most is Tanvi Azmi, who plays Radhabai, Bajirao’s mother, who has an impact with just her presence. Her actions are pivotal and her acting is flawless. Milind Soman has a short but important role, with one influential speech which he delivers effectively. Mahesh Manjrekar, Aditya Pancholi, Vaibbhav Tatwawdi support the drama.

Undoubtedly this year’s best film, it ticks all the boxes. It’s not heart wrenching like Mughal-E-Azam, but will choke you for sure. To be enthralled by music, grandeur and emotion, witness a movie which recreates history to become part of it.

4/5