Yesterday marked a fitting end to a learned chapter in Indian leadership. The man who wore a wise smile and a dignified deportment rose to heaven while imparting knowledge. Our loss is heaven’s gain. Bless India from above Dr. A.P.J. Kalam.
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 The unpublished manuscript was a finalist for the Writing Award in the 2022 Page Turner Awards.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.
5 years of the Phoenix
Five monsoons ago the phoenix landed here, finding his feet in a city that can seem daunting to many, but welcoming to most. It was an easy move. The ‘honey moon’ period, as it is called, didn’t last long, but while the first year flew by, it brought with it few changes. The phoenix was not growing, but merely acclimatising.
The evolution began with the second year. The plumage was at its best, the city had done its wonder. ‘The move has agreed with you!’, many remarked. People saw the exterior, but the interior still needed work. This city punches you. Every day. Some days it hurts. Other days it was just a friendly nudge on your chin. It is a relentless teacher. And it was preparing the phoenix for the bigger lesson which loomed ahead.
The third year was perhaps the best. A lot of reflection, a lot of satisfaction, a lot of reward. But the phoenix had also embarked upon his soul journey. The signs were present and clear. The lesson was not going to be easy. He had chosen it. He didn’t know how he would fare. But begin he did. This marked the decline of the phoenix.
The year that followed was the most difficult. He came to terms with certain realities in his fourth year, walking down a path that was shrouded in mystery, providing a very steep learning curve. The phoenix found himself alone. Not that he didn’t have the support of his loved ones, but some journeys, like some lessons, can only be under taken singularly. The phoenix looked and felt his worst.
It was in the fifth year, that the phoenix knew it was time to die. The journey he had started a few years back showed signs of completion. The narrow path, along which he had walked with minimal light, had widened. There were glimpses of life, rays of hope coming through. And in good time too, because any moment now, he would turn into ash.
The transformation was painful. It required a lot of self-love to let go, and accept the inescapable fate. As the embers in the ash signalled the end of a cycle of learning, a sound was heard. A small fledgling was raising his tiny head, croaking and blinking, staring into the world. You see, in Dumbledore’s words, “Phoenixes burst into flames when it is time for them to die and are reborn from the ashes”.
Behold the new world, with different lessons. The old ones had been learned. It was time to fly, a new land beckoned him. A magical journey awaited the resurrected Phoenix.
Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015)
Move over Dabbang fans, here we have a Salman Khan we have never seen before. In his most sincere, pure and unassuming role, we see a male lead nurturing a child.
Pavan is a big Bajrangbali believer. He gives you doses of the Salman you have to come to love. But he shows us a side of him we didn’t know existed. Humble, kind, a good human being and a fierce protector, his mission is clear and his approach is simple.
The female lead is even more impactful than him, without words! Little Harshaali Malhotra is an epitome of innocence and made sure the flood gates remained open. She wins hearts with a mere smile and has a twinkle in her eye we rarely witness on screen.
Kareena Kapoor Khan makes a special appearance with some good lines in a respectable role. Nawazuddin Siddiqui plays a loveable character who has a graph that you cannot fathom. As always, he delivers the goods only he can deliver.
The film exposes many stereo types and prejudices, within our country and in Pakistan. But there are believers in humanity in both, which see us through a situation which could have become very dire.
The end result? A smashing good film. It surfaces feelings of love for a fellow human being, patriotism, doing the right thing and of course sticking to your principles and not wavering from your path. For that, and for capturing the beauty of human emotions and breathtaking locales, I give Kabir Khan full points.
There are films and there are experiences. Yes it’s a little clichéd and predictable, but it’s heart is in the right place and parts of it touch your soul, with expressions only.
3.5/5
Bahubali: The Beginning (2015)
A very ambitious 2 part project, a total cost of 250 crore rupees (40 million usd) make this a mammoth undertaking for the Indian box office. Key word being Indian. Made in Telugu and dubbed in Tamil, Malayalam and Hindi, it is not a Bollywood film and neither are its sensibilities.
It’s been called many things. A visual spectacle, a special effects marvel, a first for India etc. For me it was a fantasy film which did justice to its theme. It put money on its aesthetics, a big gamble, and it won. They didn’t merely dress the film well, their preparation, casting and finished product were in sync.
Both Prabhas and Rana play their roles effectively, looking the part, which shows a lot of discipline. Prabhas allotted two years of his time to this film. They have a host of supporting characters who do their part well. Mixing fantasy with mythology, there are many inspirations from our tales and history.
The overall feel of the film is one of pride, entertainment and fulfilment. Director S.S. Rajamouli presents a cinematic experience, with brilliant visuals and fantastic action and war scenes. It has already made 230 crores in total worldwide sales in 5 days! I look forward to part two next year.
3/5
Minions (2015)
A film I was looking forward to from the time it was announced, it disappointed me in no uncertain terms.
The minions are their adorable self, keeping a 91 minute feature film alive with everything they have got. It’s the supporting characters and the plot which didn’t hold our attention.
Cliché presentation of the British way of life and a weak motive made the proceedings dull. The villian lacked dimension, was a caricature. The lack of a distinct personality, Scarlet Overkill didn’t need Sandra Bullock’s voice.
Overall the film wasn’t memorable, though the franchise and merchandise surely is.
2/5
The Song of the Sea (2014)
Director Tomm Moore brings traditional
animation alive on screen with the fables and legends of Ireland. The aesthetic
quotient is high, where characters float through water colour paintings, (so
beautiful is the approach and construction) telling us a fantasy tale which
involves fairies, memories and ‘bottled feelings’, literally.
The story moves at a steady pace, giving the audience enough
time to appreciate the visuals, while absorbing the drama. Since the content is
specific to one region and the story telling is mature, it may not appeal to
the younger audience world-wide. It reminded me of the time I read Sophie’s World.
Almost a philosophical journey.
If you get to see it on the big screen, do not miss it.
3/5
ABCD 2 (2015)
An ensemble effort by a cast to present a sequel of an energetic first film. We get to see a lot of dance which is strung by a hair thin plot.
The result is an extended dance show, where we feel like judges who are to view the moves non-stop and possibly pick a favourite. My favourite? The fact that even though it was cliché, it got away by being sincere.
There isn’t much in the way of acting, but some brilliant ideas and concepts for the dance segments, and movement, of course!
A formulaic feel good film, it uses 3D to its advantage.
3/5
Inside Out (2015)
An animated movie for grown ups, this feels like a psychology 101 class packaged as a feature film. How our emotions control our actions is shown in a simplified way. The catch is our perception of the various emotions.
We may not want to feel a certain way, and many times the voices in our head seem to argue on the way forward. Here we get to see them, and it perhaps puts things in perspective about how to control them, and combine them, for our best.
This time the kids can accompany the adults! We were busy processing it while the content clearly went over the heads of most children.
An enlightening watch.
3/5
Goodbye June and first half of 2015
TV pe breaking news… Danced into the New Year… Eventful 10/1. Colaba Gourmet and long drives. Take ten meditation. Tree of Life Mandala. Surreal 13/2. Maanvik turned 1! Dubai spoils of Sheesha, cinnamon ‘n’ raisin and many heart to hearts. Oscar movies. Began March with brunch at Jam Jar. London baby! Platform 9 and ¾! Sheesha at 3 degrees! Sidhu sisters rock! Second best exotic marigold hotel. Shamanic Journeys and family ties. 60km in 6 days! Riyanshi is born! Back to mumbai with NH10. Bangalore honour. April began with fondue and dance. Shonali turned 21! ‘Sail’ed to new shores. Prophetic 14/4. End of an Era. Advanced Mandala class. Healing, transformational, energy changing. Mom & Dad’s 51st wedding anniversary! Rituals and pot luck. ShakuRam’s 50th in Mahableshwar! Spa heaven. Revna turned 20! Radio déjà vu in Dubai. Aquarium sights and smells. Madinat memories. Fortnum&Mason. Tanu weds Manu returns. 3 day birthday. Dil Dhadakne Do. Family reunions and a road trip. Eternal 13/6. Namesake after 9 months. Hongkong hat trick. Best Sheesha, cake and massage! Quality time with KoQ.
Still Alice (2014)
Made with a humble budget of 5 million dollars by couple Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland, the film deals with early onset of Alzheimer’s for Dr. Alice Howland.
To say it is Julianne Moore’s best work to date would do complete justice to all the accolades and awards she won. It makes us question how much of us is made of memory. Just like the physical body is largely water, the mind is predominantly our memories. To see the early yet rapid decline play out on screen so eloquently by Julianne makes us question our fragile existence.
The supporting cast who make up her family show us the suffering from a third perspective. Special mention for Alec Baldwin and Kristen Stewart. To see the information slowly fall out of her brain, including language and both short and long term memory is painful as it is inevitable.
A sensitive film about a disease which needs a lot more public support for research and treatment.
3/5
Movies&Musings 