The REVIEW.

Crazxy (2025) – One Man, One Car, One Hell of a Night

noreply@blogger.com (Aditya Prasad) — Sun, 25 May 2025 09:51:00 +0530

I didn’t expect much going into Crazxy — just knew it had Sohum Shah in a thriller set mostly inside a car. But what I got was a tense, strange, surprisingly emotional ride that stuck with me longer than I thought it would.

Sohum plays Dr. Abhimanyu Sood, a surgeon who gets a call one night that his daughter (who has Down Syndrome) has been kidnapped. The catch? He has to keep driving through the night, following the kidnapper’s instructions. No stopping, no going to the police. Just keep driving. That’s it. That’s the movie.

And honestly? That’s all it needs.

The film takes place almost entirely inside the car — it’s very “Locke” (Tom Hardy fans will know what I mean) but with a lot more emotional messiness. As the calls keep coming in, you slowly realise that this guy’s life is kind of a disaster. His marriage is broken, his work’s a mess, and the more people he speaks to, the more you start wondering — is he even a good person?

Sohum Shah absolutely carries the whole thing. It’s just him, a steering wheel, and a phone — and somehow it works. He plays the role with a kind of quiet panic. Not over-the-top, not theatrical — just a man slowly unraveling in real time.

The soundtrack has a cool, throwback vibe. There’s even a remix of “Goli Maar Bheje Mein” thrown in, which I didn’t see coming, but somehow it fits the whole “everything is falling apart in your head” mood.

It’s not perfect though. Some scenes drag. After a while, the phone calls start blending into each other. And while the climax tries to go for an emotional punch, it felt a bit rushed. I get what it was going for — ambiguity and psychological weight — but it didn’t fully land for me.

Still, for a film that’s basically one man in a car for 90 minutes, Crazxy does a lot. It’s tense. It’s different. And it actually has something to say about guilt, redemption, and what we owe the people we’ve hurt.

Worth watching if you’re into character-driven thrillers. Don’t go in expecting big action or twists — this one’s all about the slow burn.

Movie Review: Meet Joe Black (1998)

noreply@blogger.com (Aditya Prasad) — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 11:57:00 +0530

“What if Death wanted to understand life? What if he fell in love?”I saw this one in 2025, well, am almost 30 years late to this movie!

You know those movies that linger in your mind, long after the credits roll? For me, Meet Joe Black is one of them. It’s not your typical weekday watch—it’s slow, quiet, and asks you to sit with it. And honestly, I didn’t mind, over the weekend, hence 😀

The story is simple but strange!

Anthony Hopkins plays William Parrish, this big, successful businessman who’s about to turn 65. But here’s the twist, Death shows up, in the form of Brad Pitt (who, by the way, looks like he walked straight out of a dream in this one, he was way too young back then, just like he is now!). Death calls himself Joe Black, and instead of just taking William away, he decides to stick around for a while to understand what life is all about. And, because nothing in life—or death—is simple, Joe falls for William’s daughter, Susan, played by the gorgeous Claire Forlani.

It’s a weird premise, right? Death falling in love? But somehow, it works.

What I Loved

First off, Brad Pitt as Joe Black is... mesmerising. He has this innocence, like he’s a kid experiencing everything for the first time, but there’s also this weight to him, like he’s carrying the knowledge of the universe. His moments with Claire Forlani are so soft and sweet—they’re not over-the-top, but they make you feel something.

Anthony Hopkins, though, is the real heart of this movie. He plays William with so much dignity and wisdom. You can tell he’s someone who’s lived a full life and is struggling to let go of it. I think that’s what stayed with me the most—the way the movie talks about life and love, not as grand, dramatic things, but as something simple and real.

But Let’s Be Real...

Okay, I have to say this: the movie is long. Like, really long. It’s almost three hours, and some scenes definitely drag. There were moments I found myself checking the time, wondering when it would pick up again. But, weirdly enough, the slowness kind of fits. It’s like the movie is telling you, “Hey, slow down, take it all in.” And when you do, you start to appreciate the little things—the quiet pauses, the glances, the unspoken moments.

What Hit Me the Hardest

This might sound cheesy, but the movie made me think about my own life. There’s a scene where Joe talks about saying goodbye, and it just... got to me. It reminded me of how fleeting everything is—how we take things, and people, for granted. It’s not just a movie about Death coming to Earth; it’s about how we live, how we love, and how we let go.

Would I Recommend It?

Look, Meet Joe Black isn’t for everyone. If you’re looking for something fast-paced or exciting, this isn’t it. But if you’re in the mood for something reflective, something that makes you think about the bigger picture, give it a shot. It’s flawed, sure—it’s slow, a bit self-indulgent at times—but it has this quiet beauty that sneaks up on you.

And honestly, watching Anthony Hopkins and Brad Pitt share the screen is worth it alone.

Final Thoughts

Meet Joe Black isn’t the kind of movie you watch while scrolling through your phone. It’s the kind that quietly demands your attention and makes you feel something. It’s not flawless, but honestly, that’s okay. Sometimes, a movie’s power lies in making you stop for a moment, reflect, and maybe even feel a little emotional. And for me, this one definitely did that.

Series Review: Jehanabad – Of Love & War (2023)

noreply@blogger.com (Aditya Prasad) — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 17:45:00 +0530

A Tale of Romance, Rebellion, and Nostalgia

As I sat down to watch Jehanabad – Of Love & War, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride and excitement. The series is co-directed by none other than Rajeev Barnwal, my schoolmate from back in the day. Seeing someone you’ve shared a classroom with go on to create such impactful stories is both surreal and inspiring.

Plot Overview

Set in the politically charged landscape of 2005 Bihar, Jehanabad – Of Love & War masterfully weaves together the personal and the political. The story follows Abhimanyu Singh (Ritwik Bhowmik), a sincere English professor, and his student Kasturi Mishra (Harshita Gaur) as they navigate the complexities of their relationship. Parallelly, Naxal commander Deepak Kumar (Parambrata Chattopadhyay) orchestrates an audacious jailbreak, intertwining love, rebellion, and sacrifice in a high-stakes drama.

What struck me the most is how Rajeev has infused the narrative with authenticity. Having grown up in the same environment, I could almost feel the small-town pulse in every frame—a testament to his roots and storytelling prowess.

Performances

The cast brings the story alive with compelling performances. Ritwik Bhowmik captures the vulnerability of Abhimanyu with finesse, while Harshita Gaur’s Kasturi embodies strength and innocence in equal measure. Parambrata Chattopadhyay steals the show as Deepak Kumar, his layered portrayal balancing intellect and menace. The supporting cast, including Rajat Kapoor and Satyadeep Mishra, adds depth to the ensemble.

Direction and Writing

Rajeev Barnwal and Satyanshu Singh deliver a story that feels both personal and universal. Knowing Rajeev’s passion for cinema, I wasn’t surprised to see how thoughtfully the series unfolds, blending themes of love, power, and sacrifice. The pacing, while slow initially, builds up to a gripping crescendo, leaving viewers hooked.

Cinematography and Music

The visuals beautifully capture the essence of Bihar, from its rustic charm to its simmering tensions. The music, with its local flavors, adds an emotional layer to the storytelling, making the series even more immersive.

Personal Reflection

Watching Jehanabad – Of Love & War was more than just viewing a series—it was a moment of pride. Knowing Rajeev’s journey from our school days to now, I can see how his experiences have shaped his storytelling. He has managed to bring the complexities of our roots to a global audience, and that, for me, is incredibly inspiring.

Challenges and Final Thoughts

While the series treads some familiar ground, especially in its depiction of love amidst chaos, it remains a powerful narrative thanks to its sincerity and performances. For me, this wasn’t just about the story—it was about celebrating a friend’s achievement.

Rajeev, if you’re reading this, take a bow! You’ve done all of us proud.

Rajeev with me :)

Rating: 4/5

If you haven’t watched Jehanabad – Of Love & War yet, do yourself a favor and give it a shot. You’ll not only witness a gripping tale but also a slice of Bihar brought to life by someone who truly knows it.

Movie Review: Gifted (2017) – A Heartfelt Equation of Love and Brilliance

noreply@blogger.com (Aditya Prasad) — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 09:37:00 +0530

Every once in a while, a movie comes along that reminds us why stories matter. Gifted is one of those films. Directed by Marc Webb, this heartwarming drama about family, genius, and the tough choices love demands left me thinking long after the credits rolled.

The Plot That Hooks You At its core, Gifted tells the story of Frank Adler (played by Chris Evans), a laid-back, no-frills uncle trying to raise his niece Mary (Mckenna Grace), who just so happens to be a math prodigy. Their idyllic, albeit modest, life is disrupted when Mary’s exceptional talent catches the attention of her grandmother Evelyn, leading to a custody battle that questions what’s best for the child—a “normal” childhood or one focused on fulfilling her extraordinary potential.

What struck me here was how relatable the struggle felt. We may not all have math prodigies in our families, but who hasn’t faced the challenge of balancing ambition and happiness? It’s a theme that’s universal and deeply human.

Performances That Shine Let’s talk about the performances—Mckenna Grace is simply a revelation. She perfectly captures Mary’s intelligence and sass while still embodying the vulnerability of a child. Chris Evans, stepping out of his superhero mold, delivers a nuanced performance as Frank, showing the depths of his love and sacrifices for Mary. And then there’s Octavia Spencer, whose role as the supportive neighbor Roberta adds warmth and humour to the story. Together, the cast feels like a real family, with all the messiness and love that entails.

The Math Behind the Emotion The beauty of Gifted is that it doesn’t just rely on Mary’s genius to move the story forward. The film balances intellectual brilliance with raw, emotional moments. Whether it’s Mary questioning why she can’t live with her friends or Frank grappling with whether he’s doing the right thing, these moments hit hard. And while the courtroom drama could’ve felt cliché, it’s grounded in the genuine love Frank has for Mary.

A Few Missing Variables If I had to nitpick, I’d say the film sometimes leans a bit too heavily on sentimentality. The courtroom scenes, while powerful, felt slightly predictable. And while I appreciated the focus on family, a deeper dive into Mary’s mathematical genius could’ve added another layer to the story.

The Final Sum Gifted isn’t just a movie about a prodigy—it’s a story about the sacrifices we make for those we love, and the delicate balance between nurturing talent and preserving childhood. It’s emotional, touching, and, yes, a bit formulaic at times, but that doesn’t take away from the impact it leaves on your heart.

Would I recommend Gifted? Absolutely. Just keep a box of tissues handy. And if you’re like me, you might find yourself reflecting on the moments in your own life where love demanded tough choices. After all, isn’t that the kind of story we all need sometimes?

Rating: 4/5

Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani: Movie Review

noreply@blogger.com (Aditya Prasad) — Sun, 13 Aug 2023 08:16:00 +0530

This is a typical Karan Johar extravaganza!

Nothing less was expected. Mansions, big and bigger sets for the movie and special sets for the exclusive songs, visually so soothing, clothes all jazzy, sexy, elite and luxurious. I went for this movie for a visual treat and I was not disappointed.

Gist of the plot: Post falling in love, Rocky and Rani decide to live with the other's family to win their family's heart.

Frankly, while they were ensuring that the movie title is anyways long they could have added two more people in this family romance movie. The title should have been Rocky, Rani, Kanwal aur Jamini Ki Prem Kahani. You will know soon enough that Dharmendra and Shabana are romancing (weirdly) on a parallel track.

Rocky's english is funny and Ranveer keeps the audience engaged all the time - his screen presence is timeless and his chiseled body am sure is loved by every girl! Karan has ensured a lot of it is visible throughout the movie! This is Alia's first movie after becoming a mom and she is looking hot as ever. I have always liked her acting and she does not disappoint me EVER. Udta Punjab and Gangubai are my all time Alia favourites.

There's a lot of social, gender and cultural issues that were addressed in the movie. There are a few scenes which go over the top. Also, sometimes it looked like a Ekta Kapoor serial with heavy dialogues. But the movie is really very loooooooong. I wish it was at least 30 mins shorter. I was losing patience in the last 1 hour as it looked it will never end (there are a few interesting twists and turns).

Now that I think about it, the story line was good and it actually makes sense to have those parts of the movie which eventually proved a point and then the actual Rocky and Rani story has a happy ending, No spoilers there, you know all rom-com Bollywood movies have happy endings.

Songs are good. 'Heart throb' is surely going to be a must play in all the clubs, 'What Jumka' has already topped the charts. 'Tum kya mile' has already grown on me and I am liking it. But the video of this song i found funny, its like a hair flipping competition - like who is having a better hair day! I especially like the set of the song 'Dhindhora baje re', this song relates to a typical Bhansali movie, there is a hint of that too in this song, you will see.

What happed to Kanwal and Jamini, you ask? Go watch the movie to know more.

Brahmastra: Part One - Shiva. Movie Review

noreply@blogger.com (Aditya Prasad) — Sun, 11 Sep 2022 13:03:00 +0530

First the good things that must be appreciated:

I must say, it's an amazing attempt from the Indian film industry.
I will also risk it by saying one of the best I have ever witnessed, visually.
The mix of real and VFX is so amazing that am so glad that I went for an IMAX experience.
Also, the mix of background score and the visuals is totally out of this world, frankly I did not expect an Indian film to be this good.
The songs are also catchy and mixes well with the theme and the timing is good.
Actors did a good job of the script provided - or the lack of it.
One of the best interval moments.
The climax VFX and the background score was the best.
SRK was well used in the story but...

Now, for what could have been better:

The script could have been better WITHOUT the love story angle.
The love story was a distraction - like a literal distraction.
The dialogues could have been written by an adult. The haathi-gainda, pizza pieces, button references were literally showcasing Ayan's super effort for pleasing the below 10 year old viewers.
It could have been made for adults, but I guess I was not the target audience.
I started yawning every time Isha (Alia) asked Shiva (Ranbir) who are you?
SRK's dialogues could have been better written.

I cannot emphasise enough on the effort Ayan would have taken to build this saga. Even experimenting this out is super challenging to say the least. I also understand that this movie was in the making for almost a decade, the dialogues got out-timed and the relevance may not have stayed.

But am not repenting watching this movie.Do not listen or read too much, watch it for the experience and sure, take your kids, they will love it, its made for them after all.

What Moves You?

noreply@blogger.com (Aditya Prasad) — Sat, 10 Sep 2022 12:26:00 +0530

The idea behind this article is not to push you to summit the Everest but to understand what really keeps you going everyday.

ARE YOU LIVING OR SURVIVING?

As you grow in our career things get mundane with every passing year. Irrespective of how much you love your work, its still work. Unless you are doing what you love, then its not work at all. Globally there are only a fraction of humans in that state. Majority is just working.

What keeps you going? That EMI? Household expenses? Were you born to earn, spend on basics, support a family and die? We have one life, don't we all want to live this life to the fullest by doing all things your heart desires? Well, till the time its all legal :)

As a child, or even when you were a teenager, you would have had hobbies, aspirations and desires to do so many unique things in life. Especially if you a kid from the 90's or before. Becoming a doctor or an engineer was never your dream (it must have been your parents for sure).

HAVE YOU KEPT YOUR HOBBIES ALIVE?

Have you given up on your interests/ hobbies? Would you not want to rekindle them again. I know you are busy, we all are. But if you truly want to invest time in things that you really want to do, making time is never an issue. Instead of reading the tweets and watching hundreds of reels, you can do something creative.

It could be anything - reading a book, blogging, gardening, astrology, drawing, singing, badminton, trekking, vloging, dancing, theatre, standup comedy. In this social media centric work, I understand the pressure of showcasing what you are upto. LinkedIn has spoiled us all :) Not everything needs to be done for the public. You should do it cause you want to do it. No one needs to know, unless you want the world to know.

Trying out something in public forum is the most difficult. As a child you do not hesitate trying things out without the fearing of what the world thinks of you. But as you grow, your stature precedes you. You are a co founder, CXO, VP and what not. You cannot be seen fooling around. Coming out of that comfort zone is the toughest. Trust me, I gave it a try. Well, you should sure not fool around but if you are serious about your talent, you should not fear the world.

LETS MOVE!

So, does pursuing your hobbies and interests move you? It sure works for me. What moves you? Please share your thoughts in the comments section.

How to Scale in Your New Job.

noreply@blogger.com (Aditya Prasad) — Mon, 6 Dec 2021 16:48:00 +0530

A McKinsey report says that at an average 35% top executives who move to a new organisation are considered disappointments 2 years later.

A recent Gartner survey also shows that almost 50% of internally promoted employees underperform even after 1.5 years.

I have transitioned into many roles, just within Perfios. But it was much easier when Perfios was a smaller organisation with a 100 employees or so. Moving into a new role in a large organisation (which Perfios is now) is a different ball game altogether. More so if you have been around for a while.

I thought I would jot down a few DOs and DONTs for you to reflect if you are in a similar situation or share this info with others you know who might benefit from it.
Learn. Learn. Learn. Become the master of your domain. If you are new to the company, you should know the exact value proposition this company brings to the global map and how it helps in solving world hunger. The exact reason you joined. If you are moving into a new role in an existing company, you should be paranoid about information that will ensure you have the most knowledge about the product, service, market, what value you and your team brings. Knowledge is power. Your body language in your conversations change (for good) when you know your stuff. Conversation starter for various other suggestions that follow in this read.
Other senior leaders should know what you used to do and what you do now. Since those welcome emails from the HR are not really read well. And many organisations do not even send such emails if its internal transfers. This task is the easiest if you are transitioning within the company. But for the new lateral hires, you will have to take the extra effort to connect one on one with each leader/senior manager and establish your profile and what are you here to do. Every one will offer to help you blend in, but if you do enough research about these co-workers - what they do here, what they are good at, past experiences etc., this will ensure you are taken seriously and you will receive immense help when needed. Trust me you will need their input. You will need them all.
Your Manager /Senior Leadership should talk about you and your role in every forum possible. It's not enough if you blow your own trumpet all the time. Which you need to do for sure, but others should also talk about you. And this is the toughest task on my list. What you bring to the table, to the company and how your team is critical for the company's exponential growth should be out in the open for all to watch the growth closely. This has a two fold impact. You are always kept on the edge due to this challenge, for if you are an achiever, there is nowhere to go than up. Those who cannot live up to this, will soon leave and the senior management knows this, they would not waste their time and money on those who cannot live up.
Approach and Be Approachable. Your communication channel should be OPEN 24/7. You do not have an option of going into your own shell. Any kind of radio silence (internal or external) from your side is a red flag. There is a fine line between approaching co-workers and being annoying. Never cross the line. As the word spreads fast on the shop floor. People avoiding you is the last thing you want from your colleagues. Be crisp and clear. Address the problem statement first and then continue building your rapport. You will soon realise your likability factor has suddenly increased ten folds.
Be visible. Go to Office. Meet for Coffee. Especially in these times when you have to shoot in the dark (quite literally when you talk to yourself in those zoom calls where others do not switch on cameras). You got to meet people with whom you have to work and co-ordinate. Take the effort of meeting them in the office, call them out for lunch/dinner and you take the tab. If you are in a senior role, fly into different cities and let your coworkers and team members know that you really exist outside the laptop screen.
Help someone in need. By helping I am not asking you to be a hero, just be you. Since you are new in the organisation or new to this role, you may now know a thing or two which can be useful to a team. Since you have been networking, especially when it's not your team. It could be a connection well made or a critically qualified info you have that helps that lead/team to move to the next phase faster. This could be the domain expertise you bring to the table since you come from such a background or you have been there done that.
Don't be the boss, even when you are. Being humble and showing that you are there for the team is very very basic in one o one leadership. Your team and your colleagues should not feel the hesitation in working with you or approaching you. But they should also know that you may be the best team player but you still are their boss. There is a thin line there, you need to learn that with experience. I will leave the leadership style discussion for another blog/article.
I hope you find these tips useful. Do share your thoughts and personal experiences on what has helped, worked, not worked for many of us to succeed in our careers. Thank you for reading. And yes, All the best in your new role.

Papillon - Movie Review

noreply@blogger.com (Aditya Prasad) — Sun, 24 Oct 2021 11:24:00 +0530

You feel it in your gut. This story stirs you from the inside. More so when you know it's a true story.

Well, most of these war movies based on actual facts are gut wrenching and cringeworthy. Such movies are difficult to watch but you cannot live without watching them - especially when you are movie buff and sucker for war movies.

Papillon (butterfly) is a book written by Henri Charriere (french) who was convicted for murder and then later sent to isolation multiple times for trying to escape. Eventually escapes from the devil's island and lives to tell the tale - The greatest escape adventure ever told.

I only wish I had read the book before watching the movie. Nevertheless go watch Charlie Hunnam doing an incredible job if being Henri and his partner in crime Dega being performed by another legend Rami Malek.

The story line is gripping and you will not be able to move away from the fast paced and intense plot. Highly recommend you watch it now!

Available on Prime Video.

Searching: Movie Review

noreply@blogger.com (Aditya Prasad) — Fri, 8 Oct 2021 09:05:00 +0530

Searching is an amazing thrilling and suspense movie. This is where a dad looks out for a missing 16 year old daughter who has already lost his wife to cancer. There is enough and more support from the police and the detective but things do not add up. That's where the entire plot gets very interesting.

The most unusual part is that the entire movie happens on a computer screen. From facebook to castnow to all video calls to every message, you will ONLY see the computer screen - for the ENTIRE movie. But the storyline and the plot will keep you on the edge of your seat.

A must watch.

No Time To Die: Movie Review

noreply@blogger.com (Aditya Prasad) — Mon, 4 Oct 2021 14:06:00 +0530

First things first, I saw this movie in an actual cinema hall and this itself requires a blog post to talk about my experience in watching a movie back in a movie hall along with so many people around you.

Last I was in a multiplex it was Feb/ March 2020 watching Jojo Rabbit and 1917 - few of the best movies in the recent times. If you have not seen these, go watch them on an OTT platform right away.

Back to James Bond. I saw No Time To Die on an 3D IMAX screen at PVR Bangalore. Not really a fan of 3D movies as it makes the entire screen very dark. The night scenes were especially difficult to concentrate on.

Just for comparison, an annual subscription for an OTT platform is at an average of Rs.500 or less for an entire year in India. Just for this movie experience I paid Rs.800 per seat 0 inclusive of travel parking etc. excluding the bizarrely expensive popcorn I bought. Make no mistakes am a movie buff, am ready to shell our top dollars for the right experience and movie but you can see what the lockdown has done to my brain. It's been 18 months, I will get back to my senses soon.

I knew it was Daniel's last bond movie and he has talked about getting done with bond movies and this notion kind of grew on me, hence I watched this movie knowing that he is doing it for the sake of finishing his job. That's not a good feeling, especially when you are watching a bond movie!

All bond movies are known for its opening action sequence, you pick up any of Daniel's last 4 movies and you will notice that No Time To Die might be the last in the list of creating the right amount of adrenaline rush to start with. Then the duration of the movie adds up to your seating experience - more than 160 minutes of runtime is just too much when you are not getting paisa-wasool action and most of the time its emotional chit chat.

Having said that, Bond movies are known for the exotic locations, perfection in the stunts and action sequences - no dearth of rawness in this movie as well. All in all, I recommend this movie for the fans. And if you are not a fan of James Bond, am judging you! :)

Go for it on an IMAX - ensure its not in 3D.

Now, enjoy !

5 Aspects Salespersons Should Always Keep in Mind

noreply@blogger.com (Aditya Prasad) — Thu, 15 Jul 2021 11:52:00 +0530

Every sales trainer will tell you to watch the movie Glengarry Glenn Ross. I have also heard of some saying, do not enter the room if you have not seen this movie! The famous quote from the movie is ABC: Always Be Closing. Though that's the ultimate goal (to close and achieve our targets), I personally think that ABC is not the thing you need to focus on.

A salesperson needs to focus on the right processes, lifestyle, interpersonal skills, dedication, motivation, understanding prospect needs, conviction on your own product and closures will happen for you. It may sound simpler that what it is, you may say. May be you are right. Please share your thoughts in the comments section.

In this article am focusing on 5 aspects I believe a true salesperson should be totally aware of and should be constantly improvising upon. And it's not enough to only work on few of these. You cannot win a cricket match if you only bat well. You need to field and bowl well too. All need to be happen in tandem.

Mindset Change: As you grow in your career, you need to shift your point of view as well. And by viewpoint I mean your perspective of things, it needs to broaden, year on year and decade by decade. You cannot be approaching a problem statement in the same manner when you are 35 as compared to how you did it in your 20's. You will have to approach using many lenses, think in multiple perspectives, be in the shoes of multiple people and wear many thinking hats. CEO, CTO, Product Head, Operations Head and the CFO, how your deal impacts each of them is critical.

You have to be all of them, each day.

Money Matters: I don't know about you but money motivates me. Of course am talking about money which is over and above the basic. If you have tasted blood, you will go for more kills. With close to 2 decades of experience in Sales, I can assure you, money surely matters, motivates and moves all of the sales fraternity. Having said that, am talking about all the right ways of earning sales commissions. Integrity and honesty in all sales persons is a given and a must (this is a broader topic which I will write about in another post). The thought process needs to change. You should not think of not spending/investing because you do not have enough. But think of how you can make this money back from your business. And work towards earning that.

This is also my hidden factor for keeping myself motivated.

Partner Management: As your company grows, managing your clients and employees is not the only key to your growth. Managing your sales partners in the best way possible is very critical. Frankly, nurturing partnerships is not only important for growth but is the key to exponential success. Unless you are already overwhelmed with the organic growth. In that case you already know the problems to look for, is more inwards. Such partners come from various walks of life and just like your peers, they bring in so much you can learn from. They surely are needed for more business and revenue, but nothing is stopping you from leaning more from their expertise.

Get involved.

Constant Learning: Am not asking you to do your 2nd MBA. Hear me out. Frankly, am not in favour of a formal large classroom learning, unless it's very very focused on a single topic/agenda. All am asking my fellow sales folks is to be industry aware. There is so much content available for FREE. Once this free content has generated your interest and hooked you to it. Go for a paid course, go for the best. Ask your peers, friends, bosses, CEO of your company for the right recommendations. They will guide you to the best. And ensure you ask your company to fund this course. Getting your team lunch bill passed is easier in your company than a course fees. But give it a try, you will be surprised how easily this will also get approved. Also, avoid yourself getting signed up for company wide general training involving many departments. This is a complete waste of time. You know which area you like improvement in, sign up for that course. Period.

It has to be decided by you, not decided by your company.

Product Understanding: As you grow in your job/role/profile, its not just important to up your skills by doing courses and training sessions. You also need to be on top of the products you are selling. Especially if you work for a growing product technology company. Products are evolving rapidly and continuously adapting to the new market needs. Are you living in your own world which gives you the fake ego wherein you only sell what you already know of. You will fall and you will fall hard. Keep up with every advancement that is happening in your product offering.Your organisation may have the right experts to get deeper in the technical know how, but your domain and functional expertise must be top notch. Regularly test out your product demos/ features yourselves.

Experimentations should never end.

These are the 5 areas I constantly work on, how about you?

Book Review: The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

noreply@blogger.com (Aditya Prasad) — Sun, 11 Jul 2021 16:59:00 +0530

Am not into fiction.

But I picked this up only for a change from all the serious non fiction books I have been reading off late. Like the one I have half read - The World For Sale. Now that am done with Alicia, I will get back to it.

Click here to scan through all the books I have read

Silent patient is a psychological thriller and it revolves around a man's murder and his murder accused wife Alicia. The story is narrated by a psychotherapist who is treating her. It sure runs like a thriller and a page turner. I finished this book in 2 seating. I recommend this as an easy weekend reading for fun.

Am sure there is a move being made out of this very soon. So if you are not the booking reading kind and do not want to waste time or do not have the patience to turn 300+ pages, wait for the movie.

Frankly, if you have read or seen enough mystery and suspense movies, you will be able to sense the actual suspenseful part a little ahead of the story itself. From there onwards you know where this is headed. A lot of info has been written in detail but has no relevance to the actual suspense that is revealed. Never the less its a fun read.

Am going back to, The World For Sale, now.

Happy Reading.

How To Build A Habit To Read A Book

noreply@blogger.com (Aditya Prasad) — Sat, 26 Jun 2021 19:29:00 +0530

Using the quote 'Leading by example' should not be merely used for showing off. You need to do what you do, consistently, and that's when you get to use such a quote for yourself. Till then continue quoting others.

I hear a lot from my friends and family that they want to 'start' something and they expect it to become a habit, automatically, just because they started it. Like starting to read a book. Well, starting anything is no rocket science, you can start reading a book, start cooking, start cleaning your wardrobe, start writing an article. All of us can start, no problems there. But can you sustain doing it consistently? Well, we all struggle with that. To continue doing what you have started requires will power. But we all know, it's easier said than done.

Am no inspirational guru but I have been there (struggled) and done that. Hence am writing this article to share my personal experiences, my mistakes and the things that worked out for me. Especially in starting to a read a book.

I have become an avid reader only in the last decade and yesterday I completed 42 years on this planet. So age is surely no barrier to starting a new habit.

Well, this success mantra has only 2 key aspects.

Discipline
Baby Steps.

Find the right time that suits you and your family when you can be on your own and concentrate.
We all know that the work from home culture is here to stay. You are saving a lot of time on commute, utilise it.
Are you a morning person or a late night person? I have always been a morning person hence I picked up 6am as my go to time for reading a book. I love the time for such an activity. Frankly, am not sure if evenings and late nights are exciting enough for anyone to read a book. But you decide that for yourself.
Try and try and try. It's OK to not able to live upto this discipline immediately. We are not here for a short term agenda, we are building a habit for LIFE. It may take some time, cut some slack for yourself and don't give up.
I somehow do not enjoy reading a book at any other time. So if I miss my morning slot for any reason, I look forward to my next morning reading.
Not sure if you are a tea person or coffee. But one of these surely helps in keeping me inspired. Reading a book, with my favourite cup of tea or coffee (am ok with either) keeps me engaged to the habit. It sure is a great catalyst.
Do NOT aspire to do something that is not practical. Setting a aspiring target sounds cool but you fall quickly and fall hard. Like dedicating 3 hours for reading each day. You know it's not possible, as you have morning chores to do and also needs to get ready for office work/ prepare for upcoming meetings.

Start with baby steps:

Are you even a book person? Have u tried reading articles, magazines, newspapers? Do you have the attention span or you just move on to watching some videos?
Do not get into the peer pressure trap. Everyone around you in reading a book hence I want to start reading. This cannot be a reason to start. Move on.
What are you interested in, what kind of subjects. This aspect is very critical. You need to be ready to spend hours every week into such areas, immersed in these million words. Pick up the kind of books you are truly interested in.
Start small. Start with 30 minutes at best. Feel free to read just for 15 minutes or 15 pages whichever is faster and move on with your day. Increase the time and page target as per your comfort.

Pick a hardcopy or do it on a kindle. Frankly, I was not OK with e-books but now I prefer e-books only.

Three simple benefits of e-books:

You get to read a sample (approx. 10% of the book) instantly for FREE
You get to continue reading the full book instantly (no waiting for the delivery).
Its much cheaper to buy an e-book than the physical one (surely 25% cheaper but at times the price difference goes as high as 50% !)

I keep a list of all the books I have read here > https://www.connectwithadi.com/2014/03/full-list-books-i-have-read.html

I also try writing reviews of these books I read, but I do not succeed in doing so for all the books. You may find my book recommendation on LinkedIn or on my blog here (along with movie reviews).

All the best to you. Happy Reading.

Leonardo Da Vinci - The Biography, By Walter Isaacson

noreply@blogger.com (Aditya Prasad) — Sat, 24 Apr 2021 08:53:00 +0530

Am only wondering why I waited 4 years to read this book. But am thrilled I finally read it.

For those of you thinking of reading this book on a kindle, a pro tip - have your laptop next to you when you read thru the details of the paintings, sketches and all the art work. As the book keeps describing and referring to many of them and going back and forth in a kindle is really tricky (and messy at times) AND its all in black and while, refer to the originals in its original colour.

Now back to this legend. Am so damn amazed to know so much about Leonardo the genius, he was a polymath (one who has vast knowledge on various subjects).

Most of us only know him as the painter of the world famous Mona Lisa but not many know that he was much more than that. A scientist, a brilliant observer, theorist, sculptor and much more. His precise sketches of various human body parts in such detail will blow your head off! And another amazing fact about Leonardo was his diary writing habit. Thanks to this habit that we know so much about him.

His thought process, his engineering thinking angle, his creativity all gets captured by this man called Walter Isaacson in his book. This is the second book I picked up after Steve Jobs, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Am already half way through his another masterpiece and his 3rd book that am reading, Einstein's biography. No points for guessing that am loving this one too! Mind you, all of his biography books are 600+ pages but all of them reads like a charm.

Leonardo's early life, his aspirations, his early creations and how it came about, his world famous paintings which his took years to complete and how he kept coming back to it for decades and never claiming them to be complete (accordingly to him) and many more interesting facts about his life.

Its a must must must read. You got to be reading it, before you die. Yes, it's one of those books. Grab it now. Get a hardcopy I recommend.

Love and Monsters (Netflix) Is A Must Family Watch!

noreply@blogger.com (Aditya Prasad) — Sun, 18 Apr 2021 12:21:00 +0530

Love and Monsters is an absolute solid mix of fun, humour, thrill and adventure.

Not to forget, this movie has a whole lot of giant creatures who have taken control of earth after the humans screwed up at the first place! I absolutely loved the dog in the film who is almost like the second main character.

Get your kids along n watch it together. I loved it. This is like Jumanji franchise. I would like to see a few sequels here!

You are welcome.

Go Watch Ajeeb Daastaans on Netflix Now!

noreply@blogger.com (Aditya Prasad) — Sat, 17 Apr 2021 09:29:00 +0530

A collection of 4 short stories of how love and emotions work differently in different people. Is the longing for real love superior to the love for everything else? May be not.

You will see.

Super impressed by all the ladies in all the four stories.

Fatima Shaikh, Nushrratt Bharuccha, Konkona Sen, Aditi Hydari and Shefali Shah. I was especially impressed with Nushrratt in the way she so easily portrayed the role of a maid. The child actor with her was also good.

Each story has a good twist and I did not get bored in any of them. The best part is that you can watch this (collection of short stories) in parts, if needed, as over all it runs for two and half hours.

Go for it.

Why The Serpent Is A Must Watch!

noreply@blogger.com (Aditya Prasad) — Sun, 4 Apr 2021 09:35:00 +0530

The Serpent is a 8 part mini series on Netflix based on the adventurous life of Charles Sobhraj but specifically portrays the story from the 1975-76 when he was based in Thailand. Also has a lot of flashbacks of his previous life and surely ends with what Charles is upto now.

Brilliant acting by the lead cast. The crew moves from Thailand to France to India to Pakistan to Hong Kong and where not! Very intriguing on why he hated hippies, why he did what he did. He murdered so many people in his life, ran away from few prisons. Authorities in Thailand could only wait for him to be jailed there but he played the trick in India to stay prisoned in India only else he could face death penalty in Thailand.

The storytelling is focused from the vantage point of a Dutch embassy employee who starts from digging into the 2 missing dutch persons but soon gets so engrossed in the case that he becomes the foundation stone for getting the Police involved, Interpol and getting a worldwide arrest warrant for Charles.

Its a must watch.

Bonus: See How accurate is the casting of The Serpent, read this

'Billion Dollar Loser' by Reeves Wiedeman: The Epic Rise and Fall of Adam Neumann and WeWork

noreply@blogger.com (Aditya Prasad) — Thu, 25 Mar 2021 15:43:00 +0530

This page turner reads like a Fiction, but it is not. All that you read, really happened! Am sure there is a movie being made out of it right now!

If you loved the Theranos story in the book 'Bad Blood', you will like this one. Elizabeth Holmes (the founder of Theranos) took things way too far and did many things illegal too, there is already a legal case on her. I wonder if Adam was a student in her class :)

This book is a must read if you enjoy FinTech stories from around the world, especially from the America. You will find the best of the startup stories and also the strangest ones. WeWork is a strange one and this story will also tell you how gullible investors can be. Imagine SoftBank spending 12 minutes with Adam to decide he is willing to invest $4B in WeWork. That is insane, right? Only when you read thru this book you will know what Mr. Son was going thru when he invested such an amount and thanks to his encouragement, the WeWork valuation at one stage reached $47B as well. This is called the real bubble!

The entire story of what Adam was, how he envisaged WeWork, then his wife came in and became wore many hats for WeWork, the lavish parties, the usage of money (read wastage) for renovation, new line of business, parties, Monday morning tequila parties and what not. This is a rollercoaster ride for the reader, but for Adam he walks out with some amazingly handsome money. But let that not be an inspiration for you to become an entrepreneur. There are better inspirational stories for you, look in the right way :)

Read on, for real fun, he indeed is the 'Billion Dollar Loser'.

Author: Reeves Wiedeman.

The Epic Rise and Fall of Adam Neumann and WeWork

Indoo Ki Jawani: Something's Amiss!

noreply@blogger.com (Aditya Prasad) — Fri, 5 Mar 2021 08:00:00 +0530

The biggest missing piece in this movie is the most important part of any movie - The Story.

Last I saw Kiara Advani in a movie was Laxmii bomb, and she was a disaster there. And guess what, she is no better here. This movie not only lacks a story line, it also has a TV serial vibe with average acting skills showcased by the TV serial actors. No disregard to TV actors but then it did not have a movie vibe.

Frankly, the story did not demand enough from the actors to do anything special. I think you can give it a miss.

The only song I love is Heelain Toot Gaye, with Badshah, plays in the end while the credit rolls.

Zindagi in Short (Short Story Series, Netflix)

noreply@blogger.com (Aditya Prasad) — Tue, 2 Mar 2021 08:01:00 +0530

This is an anthology Movie. Comprising of seven short independent stories (ranging from 10 to 20 minutes each), Namely:

Chhaju Ke Dahi Bhalle
Nano So Phobia
Sleeping Partner
Pinni
Thappad
Swaaha
Sunny Side Up

Not all are that great but all are sure worth watching.

My favourite is 'sleeping Partner', the message is just too hard hitting and Divya Dutta's acting is superior. Swaaha is funny. Pinni is hearth-touching and as we all know Neena Gupta never disappoints. Performance of that kid in Thappad is super se upar. Chhaju Ke Dahi Bhalle was good and it has a neat message in the end.

Over all, it was a time well spend. Since these are short stories, you can watch them in any order and anytime, without needing a recap. Go for it.

AK vs AK (Netflix)

noreply@blogger.com (Aditya Prasad) — Sun, 28 Feb 2021 07:41:00 +0530

I almost forgot to review this one.

Released in December 2020, AK vs AK is entertaining and not bad for a thriller. If you have not seen it yet. Do watch it.

The way it was promoted I actually thought its a documentary of some fights these two AK's got into. Guess that would have been more fun :) Nevertheless the plot of this movie is exciting where one AK takes revenge from the other. Mind you, they are playing themselves in the movie, hence its different and more fun. But then no story is that simple, the twists and turns are interesting. You should watch it.

Also, there are many single take shots in this movie. I love such movies because it tests the real actor's natural instincts of going on and on with class. Not everyone can do it. Anil surely can. Also, you will see entire Anil Kapoor's khandaan in the movie. Sonam's brother rightly did not make it in the Industry, he just goes overboard, you will see. Anil being at his best.

But the real man is Anurag, he is really good. He should do more of his own movies! :)

Go for it.

The Girl On The Train (2021 Netflix Movie)

noreply@blogger.com (Aditya Prasad) — Sat, 27 Feb 2021 12:39:00 +0530

From the very beginning the movie did not have a 'good acting' vibe. I saw Parineeti struggling and the hero was no good. An hour into the movie and I was getting bored and jittery. I then checked how much more I have to go thru to get thru it. I cringed to see it was still around an hour more to go. But then things started to turn, for the better and I was glued for a while. It sure ended well.

The Girl On The Train is a murder mystery, suspense thriller.

All am saying is that the acting was not the best, you lose interest in-between as the storytelling is not keeping pace but it does pick up in the end and thats why am ok to watch it. Nothing else is coming up in the theatre so you better watch this one. Also fyi, I love Aditi hydari. Also fyi, am no fan of Parineeti.

This movie is based on the book by the same name. If you really into it, do read the book, else do watch the English movie again by the same name.

I have not read the book and I sure missed the 2016 movie earlier.

Drishyam 2 (The Resumption) Is A Must Watch

noreply@blogger.com (Aditya Prasad) — Sun, 21 Feb 2021 18:09:00 +0530

Drishyam 2 (The Resumption) is the first ever non Hindi language Indian movie that I have watched end to end totally depending only on subtitles! Well, age does not matter, there's always a first time to do something interesting. But there is a very good reason why I did this. I have seen Drishyam (Hindi) multiple times and became a big fan. Only after I had seen it I got to know about the original Malayalam version. Now I do not know when would Drishyam would release in Hindi, I cannot keep a fan deprived of awesomeness for that long. Long story short, I could not resist not watching it when its easily available on Prime! Totally depending on subtitles is a tough ask when the dialogues are the main character in a suspense thriller. But I got into the grove soon enough.

Drishyam 2 picks up 6 years after what happened in Drishyam 1. Watch the first movie if you forgotten things. I remember the story and every minute details so vividly that it was very easy for me to relate to the characters even when I have seen the first movie in Hindi and the actors were different.

Be attentive to each and everything that is happening in the storyline, you may think something is happening just for fun but it might be linked to the something else later. Be alert. You have been warned. And if you are watching a Malayalam movie for the very first time then all the more reasons for you to focus more on the storyline instead of cribbing about the lack of glamour (if you have been spoilt by the glamsham of Bolloywood masala movies in the recent times).

The suspense builds up gradually but there are amazing twists and turns in the climax. Much expected out of a Drishyam franchise. I would not up your expectations like the first part. But it's not bad for a sequel. Most of the movie suck when they try making the sequel. Rock On is the best example, or shall i call it the worst? You get the drift.

This is also the first movie I have seen of the Malayalam superstar Mohanlal, I found him apt for this role (just how Ajay Devgan fits well in the Hindi version) and just natural.

I recommend you watch it without distractions, if you are dependent on the subtitles.

Yes, You Should Watch I Care A Lot. on Netflix Now!

noreply@blogger.com (Aditya Prasad) — Sun, 21 Feb 2021 07:40:00 +0530

I became a super fan of Rosamund Pike after watching Gone girl. She was just incredible. If you have not seen Gone Girl, start from there and then you will also care a lot about, well, I Care A Lot. :) This movie is a dark comedy thriller where you are kept on the edge of the seat with a lot of twists in the storyline. You will not get bored, for sure.

Marla (Pike) is running a flourishing and booming business of Guardianship where she and her girlfriend Fren take legal control over venerable senior citizens and put them in old age home and take control of their properties. Societies thinks she is caring a lot but no one knows the dubious modus operandi. Ofcourse makes a lot of money in the process. She did care a lot, but against the will of the person. Forcing them to join a care home with the help of a court order. All was going good until they targeted a not so old lady who has very close connections with a gangster. Life takes a U turn. I loved the lawyer who enters next. And you will remember this Gangster from The Game of Throne!

The climax gets interesting. I highly recommend it.