The Stranger
"The Stranger" is a metaphorical dialogue-driven film delving into the turbulent journey of a Dubai based Indian expat Rahul, grappling with isolation and depression.
Propelled by unwavering ambition, Rahul, an investigative journalist, becomes entangled in the corporate web, where ethical boundaries blur amidst seductive greed. His formidable boss, Veer, personifies the ethical dilemmas Rahul faces in his pursuit of success.
Inspired by Buddha's philosophies, Rahul takes a daring leap, forsaking comfort to chase a dream. Yet, an internal struggle ensues, pitting ambition against once-held principles, leading to a writer's block echoing the impasse within his moral compass.
Tina, Rahul's former heartbroken girlfriend, re-enters his life, urging him to find stories and confront his internal battles. Their rekindled relationship becomes a vehicle for Rahul's introspection.
Encountering a mysterious Stranger, Rahul is taken on a mental journey, unearthing suppressed memories. As Rahul's intelligence becomes a double-edged sword, the Stranger forces him to confront life-altering decisions.
In a climactic moment, unexpected revelations compel Rahul to face the consequences of his choices. The film provocatively explores the role of money in the lives of ethical dreamers, amidst debates on dreams, ethics, and the pursuit of success.
As the narrative hurtles towards its climax, audiences are left pondering profound choices, the internal battles, and the conflict between dreams and love.
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Sanjay PrasadDirector
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Sanjay PrasadStory, Screenplay & Dialogue
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Poonam PrasadProducer
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Keith DallisonKey Cast"Stranger"War, The Ghost, A Story Takes Flight, 6 Underground, Stuck, Ghanoom the Billionaire, Bundle of Joy, Zahrah S Khan: Fakeeran, Tonny Kakkar & Neha Kakkar: Mud Mud Ke, Where is Lucy? Two's Company-Three's a Crowd, Box, Love or Money, Hinged, Vanguard, Athel
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Trishaan MainiKey Cast"Rahul"Sarbjit, Tasal, Hadh, Bissat, Gehraiyaan, Bohot Pyaar Karte Hai, Abhay, Honeymoon Suit Room No 911, Ja Kanhi Oar Tu, Doorbell, Anahita, Crimes & Confessions, Jeet Pe Apna Haq hai: Meet Bros, Flamingo TVC
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Kristine ZedekKey Cast"Tina"Chennai 600028, Barot House, Corporate, Toothbrush, Women's Safety Begins at Home, Mehrooni.
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Digvijay SinghKey Cast"Veer"
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Vikramjeet DabbKey Cast"Rohit"
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Veronica VBKey Cast"Club Girl"
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Muskaan DayalKey Cast"Doctor"
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Muthu KumarKey Cast"Madhav"
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Sameer ShrivastavaDOP
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Rahber KhanAssociate DOP
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Muskaan DayalProduction & Direction Associate
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Sanjay PrasadEditor
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Raghvendran T3D Modeling
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Shabtab Kaiser3D Modeling
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Sanjay PrasadVfx Artist
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Elite Media WorksProduction
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Mahruf ShaikhProduction Manager
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Roshan SinghProduction Manager
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Amy UpadhyayMakeup
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Muskaan DayalMakeup
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Poonam PrasadMakeup
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Action FilmzEquipment
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Vasiko MachabeliBackground Score
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David FesliyanBackground Score
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Anup MukherjeeSound Design
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Mustafa MalekSound Design
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Sanjay PrasadSound Redesign & Editing
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Project Type:Feature, Other
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Genres:Drama, Thriller, Mystery, Action, Spritual, Awakening
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Runtime:1 hour 38 minutes 38 seconds
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Completion Date:January 22, 2024
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Production Budget:90,000 USD
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Country of Origin:United Arab Emirates
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Country of Filming:United Arab Emirates
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Language:English
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Shooting Format:RED
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Aspect Ratio:16:9
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:Yes
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Student Project:No
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Golden Lion International Film Festival (GLIFF)Kolkotta
India
January 24, 2024
Best International Feature Film, Best Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Poster Design -
Crown Point International Film FestivalChicago
United States
February 2, 2024
Best Experimental Feature Film, Best Actress Feature Film -
World Film Carnival - SingaporeSingapore
Singapore
February 1, 2024
Narrative Feature -
Cult Critics Movie AwardsKolkotta
India
February 2, 2024
Feature Film, Debut Filmmaker -
Mont Blanc International Film FestivalParis
France
February 2, 2024
Narrative Feature -
Aasha International Film FestivalNashik
India
February 3, 2024
Best Feature Film -
4th Dimension Independent Film FestvalBali
Indonesia
February 29, 2024
Best Narrative Feature -
Robinson Film AwardCampania
Italy
February 28, 2024
Best VFX Artist -
Rameshwaram International Film FestivalRameshwaram
India
February 17, 2024
Best Director, Best Actor Male_01, Best Actor Male_02, Best Actor Female, Best Supporting Actor -
Tagore International Film FestivalKolkotta
India
March 5, 2024
Best Narrative Feature, Best Debut Filmmaker -
Accolade Global Film CompetitionLa Jolla, CA
United States
March 9, 2024
Award of Recognition; Film Feature, Actor Leading, Viewer Impact -
Titan International Film FestivalSydney
Australia
March 23, 2024
Best Feature Film -
South Asian International Film FestivalFlorida
United States
March 11, 2024
Official Selection
Sanjay Prasad, a multifaceted filmmaker, writer-director, editor, and Vfx artist, transitioned from the world of engineering to the grandeur of the big screen.
Born in a small town without film connections, he initially pursued engineering, only to be drawn to filmmaking.
His artistic journey, rooted in art, started with Kannada films in Bangalore, expanded to Hindi Film Industry in Mumbai, as he honed his skills in Film Making, Vfx, Editing, and Motion Graphics. Transitioning from engineering to becoming a proficient Vfx artist, he worked with renowned studios in Mumbai.
In 2002, an opportunity with MBC TV Group in Dubai beckoned. Over eight years, Sanjay contributed significantly to projects, earning accolades for his work. In 2011, he returned to Mumbai to establish his own studio specializing in Vfx.
Financial commitments led him back to Dubai in 2013, dedicating a decade to Alarabiya News Channel.
Beyond his professional journey, Sanjay is a voracious reader with interests in Philosophy, Technology, Ancient History, Spirituality, and Meta Physics. His creative spirit thrives on a deep appreciation for music, painting, and crafting meaningful stories.
"The Stranger," Sanjay’s first independent film completed in Jan2024, got screened at multiple mid-level international film festivals and received 25 awards so far.
As the writer, director, editor, and Vfx artist, he navigated challenges, balancing career responsibilities, family commitments, and self-reliance on almost everything in post-production.
“The Stranger” marks a triumph over adversity and a testament to Sanjay's commitment to his cinematic dreams.
As an introvert with a burning passion for storytelling, I find my voice in film—a medium that beautifully converges all forms of art and creativity on a single screen.
My films are more than visuals; they're a heartfelt attempt to entertain, inspire, and resonate deeply. In each frame, I strive to blend art with purpose, crafting socially impactful, thrilling, and engaging stories.
As a director, my commitment is to create narratives that linger in hearts and minds, transcending the confines of the screen.