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 The unpublished manuscript was a finalist for the Writing Award in the 2022 Page Turner Awards.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

In to the woods (2014)

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Rob Marshall presents us a musical fantasy film of four fairy tales, where an ensemble cast led by Meryl Streep represent the stories of Cinderella, Rapunzel, Jack and the Beanstalk and the Little Red Riding Hood. Based on a Broadway musical it gave us a toned down Disney version for a family audience.

It is complicated to do justice to four stories, which has been done. It isn’t easy to weave them into one either, that too has been achieved. What is perhaps most difficult, is to give the stories ‘fairy tale endings’ and then introduce a whole new set of complications.

That tight rope is perhaps the strength of the film, which shows us how the protagonists we have known since we were children don’t necessarily accept their happy fate. They question it, and the actions of others involved in it.

The woods are but a metaphor for our darker side, or the dilemma of our conscience. The cast has sung the songs and there was no surprise for Meryl’s 19th Academy Award nomination with her performance. Walking the thin line between insane and vengeful her dramatics leave you wanting more.

A fearless tale with good music and visuals.

3/5

Spy (2015)

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All I knew about this film before walking in to the cinema was ‘Melissa McCarthy’ and that was enough. Throw in the director of ‘bridesmaids’ and ‘the heat’, Paul Fieg, and you have yourself a recipe of non-stop, unexpected humour!

Comedy meets action meets insanity in this laugh riot, which combines the cool, suave, spy world with a single woman who keeps getting into stereo types in order to do her job. She encounters an ex-colleague, Jason Statham, who won’t leave her alone, her gal pal and co- worker, Miranda Hart who brings much needed British wit on the table.

The villains though merciless are goofy in their own way, Bobby Cannavale and Rose Byrne are silly caricatures. There’s Jude Law for a bit and Nargis Fakhri for a tiny bit. They provide the glamour quotient.

Actors have experimented with various accents to portray different nationalities. All done in good humour, there is a constant sexual tension with an agenda to entertain, which it does till the end.

A good laugh and a fun chase.

3/5

Jurrasic World (2015)

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Old is gold and sometimes should remain old. The 4th instalment of the magnificent Jurrasic park which released in 1994, is bitten hard by the capitalist bug and doesn’t impress.

Why a director like Colin Trevvorow who doesn’t have much to his credit was chosen for such an iconic film isn’t clear, but its effects are visible from the moment the film starts. The caricature like characters and the overly simplified setting the dinosaurs are in makes you wonder how much could go wrong.

And go wrong it does. Limited thrills ensue, with most of the good stuff already shown in the promo, all we want to know is how it will end. The last 15 minutes redeem the film with classic action and some humour.

The film made more than $500 million in its opening weekend, the first to do so! A sequel is in the offing. But it wasn’t a patch on the first film. The back ground score wasn’t well developed, the film lacked tension, urgency. The complications were either too easy or seemed forced. Some old moments and cast make you nostalgic, but otherwise the drama was extinct.

2.5/5

By the power vested in me

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Don’t underestimate how powerful you are in your relationships. You can empower someone else, share their misery and pain, encourage their dreams and protect them from harm. By the same token, you also have the power to destroy them, neglect their existence, break their spirit, betray their trust, attack their self worth and esteem. Use your presence to uplift, nurture and love others. Humanity demands that you be gentle, dignified and kind.

Dil Dhadakne Do (2015)

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It’s holiday time and the destination is ‘human relationships’. The ever falling and rising of the waves and changing landscapes mirror the complex weave of the Mehra family, who take us on a cruise which turns inward.

At 170 minutes it prepares you for the long haul but it doesn’t seem so. You have a back ground score which relaxes the tension, you have characters which are developed to a depth and breadth rarely seen and you have an adorable narrator.

Having played Ranveer’s beau in Gunday, Priyanka has beautifully transitioned as his sibling in this film. Not only is she sensitive and understated but powerful as well. Ranveer plays the young under achiever with abandon, while Anil Kapoor the male chauvinist and Shefali his silently suffering, Delhi society wife. The family is a reflection of a typical wealthy North Indian set up, but there is much more substance. Not about designer wear or artificial projection of wealth, but classy, elegant and focusing on the issues that lie within.

We have Farhan, Anushka, Rahul Bose, Zarina Wahab providing able support, amongst a host of other characters. But it is the story and writing (by Zoya, Farhan and Javed Akhtar) that deserves special mention. From tense to chill out to comedy to love, they excel in all (pun intended).

The feelings of love are rekindled, romance is handled in a fresh light. Vulnerability is shown differently and so is the breakdown of relationships and the consequent mending. Nothing seems forced or farcical, it’s real family drama which you get to witness at a leisurely but not boring pace.

The film is rich visually, sweeping views which are breathtaking. Director Zoya Akhtar should take a bow for handling such a complex drama, while presenting it lightly and giving ample development to all her key characters and making the film about the contemporary family.

The one shot ‘gallan goodiyaan’ song is my favourite 🙂

4/5

Tanu weds Manu returns (2015)

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The most entertaining film of the year by far, it had the entire cinema (which was houseful on a week night, late show) in splits.

A pure ensemble effort, the actors played out a very well written script. The story had loop holes and the plot was wavering, especially in the end, but it achieved what it set out to. Writer Himanshu Sharma take a bow!

Madhavan has spread out but has given able support to the ‘primary lead pair’ of the two Kanganas. While the former one was arrogant, the latter was adorable to a fault. The Haryanvi accent a little difficult to understand, she had us from the moment her long jump failed. She looked the part in both and director Anand L. Rai has made clear distinctions in every aspect of their personality. Be it the hair, teeth, dressing style, body language, walking style, temperament we get a double dose of humour.

Deepak Dobriyal as Pappi is the funny glue that holds the audience in stitches. He is unpredictable and whacko! Crazy humour aside he is a very fine performer. Mohammad Zeeshan Ayyub as the lawyer Chintu is hilarious, providing able support for Tanu’s escapades.

Short, though not as crisp as we would like it to be, it is a fun film. I may not agree with some plot points or the climax but I have rarely laughed out so loud!

Strongly recommended dose of love and comedy!

3.5/5

Bombay Velvet (2015)

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The list of cinematic geniuses which director Anurag Kashyap thanks in the beginning gives the audience a sense of foreboding.

There are many questions we ask ourselves while seated in a near empty cinema (head count 24). Why didn’t such a cast and crew demand better numbers? Why did they spend so much? None of these questions are answered though, as a series of uninspiring events unfold on screen. The chemistry between the pair is lukewarm. Their back stories, though sad, do not evoke emotion. The antagonists make us wonder why their characters aren’t etched out.

A lot of attention has gone into recreating the era, and any points the film gets is because of the sets, costumes and music. The performances are good, but not supported by a strong story. The plot is weak and the lack of depth on screen leaks into the audiences’ hearts and minds as well. Ranbir is apathetic, Anushka is intense and Karan Johar’s first film shows him as a restrained actor. He should stick to directing.

A colossal loss of money, talent and time.

2/5

Q&A

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Are you listening?
I am always listening.
You sure?
Yes.
Why is life so tough?
You asked for it to be so.
Why doesn’t the struggle end?
Because you haven’t learned your lesson yet.
What is my lesson?
I cannot tell you that.
Then what’s the point of you listening?
So that I can do what’s best for you, even though you may not agree or be aware of what could have been worse.

Piku (2015)

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The high strung story of a hypochondriac father and frustrated daughter leaves us agitated, entertained, in splits and in reflection.

Amitabh plays the constipated feminist with élan, while Deepika aces the angry, caring, unapologetic daughter. Their interaction leaves you exasperated. Enter Irfaan, who is the catalyst of balance in their chaotic lives.

Though the film seems to be about bowel movements, it’s a clever metaphor for bottling issues, anxieties, suppressed  relationships and the delicate stage of life parents reach. It passes messages strong and clear, without pretence or censorship.

A fun film, it takes getting used to. Once you have caught the pulse of the characters you settle in. Sensitively made by director Shoojit Sircar, with an able supporting cast.

A difficult topic to bring to the table, handled in a matter of fact manner.

3/5