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 The unpublished manuscript was a finalist for the Writing Award in the 2022 Page Turner Awards.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

Avengers : Age of Ultron (2015)

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Written and directed by Joss Whedon, the film uses its length to tell you how close it can get to a video game but stay in the realm of a film.

The forced humour doesn’t save the ensemble cast who just don’t have synergy this time round. They are facing an enemy with great odds and introduce challenges and complications in a ‘by the by’ manner. There is no tension, drama, urgency or good old fashioned excitement.

The resolution and turn of events is an unceremonious as the obstacle. End result? Glad it’s over and could have spent time watching or doing something else. Points for a scene between Iron Man and the Hulk and a few frames which are slick. The rest makes Vin Diesel look good.

It’s flat, long and blah. No fun.

1.5/5

Furious 7 (2015)

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When horror director James Wan punches out such a high intensity billion dollar grossing action film, you can’t do anything but let adrenaline take over.

This time round the stunts are crazy, they are REAL ( yes even the air drop one) and there isn’t a lot of CGI used. Some witty and well timed one liners call for an applause, but the most commendable achievement was keeping true to its core theme: thrills galore!

While the villains are menacing, we have an indefatigable bunch of people who stick it out in seemingly impossible scenarios. Yes some of the stuff is unbelievable, but what else did you expect?

A fitting tribute to Paul Walker and guess what? Vin diesel does have a new facial expression 🙂

A thrilling ride that doesn’t stop even at part 7!

3.5/5

Margarita with a Straw (2015)

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Though the film may appear to be about a girl with cerebral palsy, it is more about a girl who lives with the condition like any other. Kalki has played her most difficult role not only physically but mentally, emotionally and biologically as well.

We embark on her journey of discovering love, feelings of exploration, sexuality and above all self worth, self confidence and self love. The film is made with delicate detail and you cannot afford to miss a single frame, for it may be adding to the existing layers or be an important but quick nuance.

Revathy is the strong, silent, supportive and traditional mother. Sayani Gupta as Khanum is the epitome of confidence, perhaps a marker for where Kalki’s Laila aspires to evolve to. The entire supporting cast has been constructed to give their own little message, yet weave into the story to make it stronger. The title of the film is poignant as it speaks of a memory, of abandon and eventually of finding value through yourself.

Director Shonali Bose has told a bold and spirited tale, with sensitivity and maturity. Few films make you appreciate your senses such as this one. And it is a treat for them all.

3.5/5

Home (2015)

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If you are a fan of Sheldon from ‘Big Bang Theory’ you will enjoy the film. The world created in ‘home’ is of a passive herd race of ‘boovs’ which have come from another planet to earth. They have made it their home in the friendliest, non-aggressive manner possible.

The adventures of a girl trying to find her mother in a car powered by an ‘alternate’ energy source, accompanied by a menace boov who speaks brilliantly incorrect English (as do the rest of them), evokes some laughs. Rihanna’s songs keep flitting in and out without much impact. Jennifer Lopez has a blink and miss voice and Steve Martin provides the remaining laughs.

What is the purpose of your face?

2.5/5

It follows (2015)

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Not your usual horror flick it plateaus and peaks in varied intervals, building scares using both the mortal and super natural.

The length, though short drags on as director David Robert Mitchell presents fear of an entity that follows and takes different forms. Passed on a by the act of copulation, it generated as many laughs as frightful jumps, as lusts of teenagers played out on screen.

Even after marking it as an ‘18’ film the Indian censor board cut pivotal scenes, which made the already disjointed editing difficult to follow.

Not a wasted effort to induce fear, but not entirely successful.

2/5

Ek paheli leela (2015)

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An extended fashion shoot and music video, the film has surprisingly opulent production values. Songs from Tips have been ‘reincarnated’ for the screen, and ‘dhol bajey’ intelligently used as an important plot point.

The boys are playing their varied characters whilst sunny does what she does best. She acts out a fairly complex role with sincerity. An old story of past lives and present trials and fears, the twist in the end makes it a decent watch.

2/5

Frozen fever (2015)

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The short film that preceded ‘Cinderella’, a follow up on the story of the two sisters from Frozen, was heart warming despite Queen Elsa’s cold. Planning the perfect birthday for her sister Anna, she ignores her own condition when she starts sneezing little ‘snowgies’. A new song, ‘Making today a perfect day’ is fun to watch as the birthday treasure hunt unfolds. Disney’s creative and merchandise have already made the little snowgies (mini snowmen) a big hit!

A light bridge to what will be a cool sequel.

3/5

Detective Byomkesh Bakshy! (2015)

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Recreating mid World War 2 Calcutta was no easy task and director Dibakar Banerjee rose to this mean feat with bonus points for keeping it real and keeping us guessing.

The film solves its initial case very soon, getting into a web of deceit and far larger sabotage plans than could be imagined. A pure ensemble effort, the script and story were clearly the heroes.

Authentic sets, costumes and small nuances aside, the cast played distinct characters which lured us, confused us, shocked us and infuriated us. The maze of hits and misses results in a tame climax because that’s what it required. The gangster rap like contemporary back ground score worked brilliantly with 40’s Calcutta.

Sushant Singh Rajput does what he should, without going over the top. Anand Tiwari emotes brilliantly, whereas Neeraj Kabi gives a layered performance. Swastika Mukherjee provides the glamour and mystique of the era and Divya Menon shows us the strength of a Bengali woman.

A case that unraveled many cases and a sleuth that did justice to them all.

3.5/5

Cinderella (2015)

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An age old tale which was retold by director Kenneth Branagh with a few new twists and turns and some bold Disney moves. Please read bold as code for when the protagonist, Lily James, actually stands up for herself in the most polite and dignified way possible.

Richard Madden, possibly prettier than Cinderella herself plays the role of Prince Charming, with ease. Fairy Godmother Helena Bonham Carter had a blink and miss role, which she did with her usual histrionical flair.

It was Cate Blanchett who walked the tight rope as step mother, who had to show us a new way of being mean. She descends quietly from civility to monstrosity, slowly becoming caricature-like evil. She achieves a new high for couture and nastiness.

The highlights of the film are the magical transformations that Cinderella and her team go through, not to mention the crystal slippers by Swarovski. The film is high on art and aesthetic value with a few warm ‘U’ rated Disney theme messages.

It makes you believe, if only for the duration of the film, that there can be ‘a happily ever after’.

3/5

Dum laga ke haisha (2015)

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Rarely does a movie come along which is so complete and true to its craft, that you feel you have lived it with its characters. The newest offering by Yash Raj does just that, by recreating haridwar and hrishikesh in 1995 and introducing us to Prem, Sandhya and their families.

There is not much to be said when every detail screams authenticity and the characters are so well written and acted that stereotypes and prejudices parade in front of you with muted abandon. Issues of patriarchy, weight, gender, skin colour are all dealt with in ‘by the by’ manner. It was interesting to see the concept of and reasons for love, marriage and relationships in general.

Performances by the ensemble are top notch. Duration of 2 hours makes it quick and crisp. Direction by Sharat Katariya is brilliant.

Give it a go!

3.5/5