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 The unpublished manuscript was a finalist for the Writing Award in the 2022 Page Turner Awards.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

Mardaani (2014)

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Director of Parineeta, Laaga chunari mein daag and Lafangey Parindey, Pradeep Sarkar brings us a short, crisp, no song, female cop drama/thriller. A very tricky proposition. Did he live up to the challenge? He knocked it out of the park!

Shivani Shivaji Roy (Rani Mukherji) is a Crime Branch officer in Mumbai. She isn’t a total rebel but sometimes works outside the orders that are given to her. She stumbles upon a racket when a 12 year girl goes missing and follows the case with valour, strength and shrewdness. She faces obstacles, but does not breakdown. She is all Man.

The context here is of course not based on gender, but on characteristics. Of being resolute, strong (physical and mental), of protecting the ones who we pledged to protect and doing the right thing. While women have been given a more nurturing role in our society, it is forgotten that most times they are the ones who instil the above qualities, or other attributes, in their offspring.

Rani Mukherji has shown shades of this calibre before, but here it’s a full blown, A-rated, no sugar coating drama. She has trained to do action scenes which look realistic and her body language is not masculine but firm. Tahir Raj Bhasin plays a convincing and menacing bad guy. A host of supporting characters move the film along swiftly, giving our mind no chance to wander or disconnect.

The film is hard hitting. The scenes are bold and difficult to watch. The crimes violate not only the body but the soul as well. The punishment? You have to watch the film to see how its meted out. The language isn’t bad just for the sake of being so. No scene or act is done for effect. Everything leads to the conclusion, which has a valid and appropriate message for the public, the police force and all Indians.

The movie resonates deeply. Yes there are some loop holes, but in the larger picture, the heart, soul and head of the film leave an imprint in your mind. Must watch.

3.5/5

The hundred foot journey (2014)

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Writer Richard C. Morais probably didn’t imagine such a stellar cast and rich production would be given to his novel. Two beautiful worlds collided in this film, where Indian spices and flavours gave age old French recipes and classic culinary a delectable twist.

The story is neither predictable, nor are the characters. Helen Mirren plays the Michelin Star restaurant owner who has new ‘neighbours’. They have opened ‘Mumbai Maison’, an Indian restaurant 100 feet from hers. There starts a journey which no one could have foreseen. Director Lasse Hallström’s repertoire of the ABBA videos and his impressive filmography show a flair to balance such contrasting elements.

Besides salivating throughout the film, and laughing at ‘Papa’ Om Puri’s exquisite ‘Indian-ness’, we are treated by the stiff and snobby Madame Mallory (Helen Mirren) and the vulnerable yet talented Hassan (Manish Dayal). They are ably supported by Marguerite (Charlotte Le Bon) and a small yet adorable cast playing both Hassan’s family and Madame’s staff and town folk. Sensitive bonds, breath-taking French locales, cinematography that captures our own emotions and feelings set this film apart in 2014.

We take with us the tastes of both cultures, but above all, the lesson that good food never goes unrewarded. Prejudice takes a back seat and talent takes centre stage. Produced by Steven Spielberg, Oprah Winfrey and five others, with music by A.R.Rahman, this is one masterchef you cannot afford to miss.

Running to packed houses in limited cinemas with even fewer shows, savour it now!

3.5/5

The Giver (2014)

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Based on the novel of the same name by writer Lois Lowry, the story is set in the future with a concept of ‘sameness’. Director Phillip Noyce has translated the idea conceptually, visually, via language, colour, behaviour and ideals.

While the book made a compelling read which sold more than 10 million copies and won many awards, the film had a languid pace. The plot was predictable (not having read the source material), but the bursts of montages were insightful.

The story is a tricky one to make, with residual effects of the recent ‘Divergent’ at work. We quickly identify with the events on screen and are waiting for them to show us what we already know will eventually happen.

Meryl Streep as the ‘Chief Elder’ is the perfectly aged result of ‘sameness’. Jeff Bridges as ‘The Giver’ exercises brilliant restrain. Brenton Thwaites as ‘Jonas’ is an effective medium as our eyes and ears of someone who makes the journey from ‘sameness’ to ‘memory of human history’.

Your appreciation will be accepted but not expected.

2.5/5

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Longevity is not the sign of a healthy friendship, nor is proximity or similarity. It is a devotion, a yearning for connection, the joy of sharing and being proud of someone who wants to be with you, for you! Happy Friendship Day!

La Belle et la Bete (2014)

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Director Christophe Gans brings alive on screen a delicate and deep French aesthetic, which shows us the old fairy tale in a way we have never seen before. With a fantasy back story and a strong cast, the visuals captivate, enthral and entertain.

The production values are high, the scale is grand, but human emotions and their minute nuances are captured and communicated with ease, causing one to be enchanted at the very least.

In the modern world where fairy tales have been presented in new flesh and bones, this one is the best so far.

3.5/5

The Lego Movie (2014)

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The Lego Movie: A satire on popular culture, super heroes and classic tales, this super rich animation will dazzle you with its detail and very fine story telling. Our most beloved lego toy is transformed into an intricate world with a very ‘sticky’ problem. How the characters (who have superb voice over) navigate through their predicament, is unique and entertaining.

Kids may enjoy the visuals, but the underlying philosophy and the way it is communicated may not be straight forward for them to digest or decode. Either way, it’s a treat for children and adults, with the multi-talented voices of Chris Pratt, Morgan Freeman, Will Ferrell, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett, Jonah Hill, Dave Franco, Channing Tatum, Alison Brie, Nick Offerman and Liam Neeson.

Directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs, 21 Jump Street, 22 Jump Street) present a superior quality of grown up humour combined with intelligent animation.

You are in for a laughter fix.

3.5/5

4 years and learning…

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I remember all the discussion on the story I had posted last year. It was a true, from the heart account of what brought me to Mumbai and how the first three years had been. If they could be seen as prep school, the fourth year was definitely an exam. Mumbai finally showed me the true colours of survival.

The year was peppered with highs and ‘not so highs’. I travelled to distant lands and found versions of myself there. Some that needed an upgrade, some that seemed to be far ahead of me, so I had a lot of catching up to do.  Many milestones marked the previous 365 days, which I am forever thankful for. I met some nice people, some of who moved away. I reconnected with some old friends. In the last year time and tide had indeed changed a lot.

I learned that you don’t choose this city (or the wand, for that matter). Mumbai chooses you. And it’s not some whim that brings you here either. You only come here when you are ready for an adventure. To have your rough edges polished. To see your faults, stare them in the face and say, “You, Again?” Only when your vibration matches that of the city, can you survive here. And to tune to that vibration takes time, patience and faith. Then the city yields its rewards.

I often face the question, “So you still like Mumbai?” Hell, I LOVE MUMBAI. It has given me life experiences which I couldn’t have had anywhere else. I have family and friends who have contributed greatly to my evolution. Observing life through every experience, corner, stranger, imperfection, has enriched me. And, that fuels my imagination, and my own will to live, to better myself, to try and be better for others.

The rain washes away the city and also any obstructions on my think tank. I have been reading various areas of interest, writing with a renewed vigour and the ‘expression quotient’ has been at its highest so far. Lots of movement on that front will be communicated soon.

Here’s to starting the fifth year in this city that embraces everyone. Don’t ask me how long I will be here, I don’t know. To quote ‘The fault in our stars’, I have experienced an infinity here, and “Some infinities are bigger than others”.

 

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Begin Again (2014)

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Keira Knightley (Gretta) and Mark Ruffalo (Dan) cross paths at emotionally volatile times of their lives. One is a song writer and singer, the other is a producer of music. While their chance meeting seems like it won’t go anywhere, it takes them and us, on a musical journey across New York City.

We come across other talented musician characters, the sights and sounds of the Big Apple and witness how the two lead individuals evolve. Their performances, along with the supporting cast, are vulnerable, understated and real. Through them, we have a greater appreciation of music and its process of creation.

For music lovers and musicians, this film is a must watch. For the rest, this is a beautiful film about relationships, friendships, talent and perseverance, which is all bound by the sound for the soul – Music.

3.5/5

Chef (2014)

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You want flavours? You got ‘em. This ensemble cast whips up a recipe which will make you chase your passion and turn you into a social networking pro! A tale about career, family, friends and all the awkward moments in between!

Written and directed by main lead Jon Favreau, who plays the creatively charged chef ‘Carl Casper’, he has a cast that include the talents of Scarlett Johansson, Dustin Hoffman, Robert Downey Jr., Sofia Vergara, John Leguizamo, Bobby Cannavale, Oliver Platt and Russell Peters!

Their varied and distinct portrayals of real but kooky characters make this food truck journey all the more sumptuous. An ‘R-rated’ dish, it is served straight from the heart and has captured food preparation so well, that a vegetarian like me thought that the meat looked appetizing!

Tasty and recommended hot!

3.5/5