Private Project

The Stranger

"The Stranger" is a metaphor-rich, dialogue-driven drama that follows the turbulent journey of Rahul, an investigative journalist and an Indian expatriate in Dubai, as he grapples with isolation, depression, and the relentless pursuit of ambition. Drawn into the machinations of the corporate media world, Rahul faces a mounting ethical crisis, embodied by his formidable boss, Veer, who challenges the boundaries between integrity and ambition.

Inspired by the philosophies of Buddha, Rahul chooses to break free from comfort and conformity, only to find himself wrestling with internal conflict and creative paralysis—a writer’s block that mirrors his moral struggle. The return of Tina, his heartbroken former girlfriend, acts as a catalyst for self-reflection, pushing Rahul to confront his past and the stories left untold.

A mysterious encounter with a Stranger propels Rahul on an introspective journey, unearthing buried memories and exposing the double-edged nature of intelligence and ambition. As the Stranger stirs questions that cut to the core, Rahul is forced to make life-altering decisions that test the resilience of his values.

In a revelatory climax, the narrative provocatively examines the price of success and the seductive power of money for those striving to remain ethical dreamers. Through powerful debate and emotional honesty, "The Stranger" invites viewers to reflect on universal dilemmas of ambition, love, and the true cost of chasing one's dreams, leaving a lingering resonance long after the credits roll.
The film has garnered 26 awards and official selections at international film festivals around the globe, where its evocative storytelling and thematic depth have resonated with diverse audiences—even beyond the mainstream circuit.

  • Sanjay Prasad
    Director
  • Sanjay Prasad
    Story, Screenplay & Dialogue
  • Sanjay Prasad
    Producer
  • Poonam Prasad
    Co-Producer
  • Keith Dallison
    Key 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
  • Trishaan Maini
    Key Cast
    "Rahul"
    Chhaava, 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
  • Kristine Zedek
    Key Cast
    "Tina"
    Chennai 600028, Barot House, Corporate, Toothbrush, Women's Safety Begins at Home, Mehrooni.
  • Digvijay Singh
    Key Cast
    "Veer"
  • Vikramjeet Dabb
    Key Cast
    "Rohit"
  • Veronica VB
    Key Cast
    "Club Girl"
  • Muskaan Dayal
    Key Cast
    "Doctor"
  • Muthu Kumar
    Key Cast
    "Madhav"
  • Sameer Shrivastava
    DOP
  • Rahber Khan
    Associate DOP
  • Muskaan Dayal
    Production & Direction Associate
  • Sanjay Prasad
    Editor
  • Raghvendran T
    3D Modeling
  • Shabtab Kaiser
    3D Modeling
  • Sanjay Prasad
    Vfx Artist
  • Elite Media Works
    Production
  • Mahruf Shaikh
    Production Manager
  • Roshan Singh
    Production Manager
  • Amy Upadhyay
    Makeup
  • Muskaan Dayal
    Makeup
  • Poonam Prasad
    Makeup
  • Action Filmz
    Equipment
  • Vasiko Machabeli
    Background Score
  • David Fesliyan
    Background Score
  • Anup Mukherjee
    Sound Design
  • Mustafa Malek
    Sound Design
  • Sanjay Prasad
    Sound Redesign & Editing
  • Sanjay Prasad
    Writer
  • Project Type:
    Feature, Other
  • Genres:
    Drama, Thriller, Mystery, Action, Spritual, Awakening
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 38 minutes 7 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 22, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    180,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    India, United Arab Emirates
  • Country of Filming:
    United Arab Emirates
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    RED 6K & 8K
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • 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 Festival
    Chicago
    United States
    February 2, 2024
    Best Experimental Feature Film, Best Actress Feature Film
  • World Film Carnival - Singapore
    Singapore
    Singapore
    February 1, 2024
    Narrative Feature
  • Cult Critics Movie Awards
    Kolkotta
    India
    February 2, 2024
    Feature Film, Debut Filmmaker
  • Mont Blanc International Film Festival
    Paris
    France
    February 2, 2024
    Narrative Feature
  • Aasha International Film Festival
    Nashik
    India
    February 3, 2024
    Best Feature Film
  • 4th Dimension Independent Film Festval
    Bali
    Indonesia
    February 29, 2024
    Best Narrative Feature
  • Robinson Film Award
    Campania
    Italy
    February 28, 2024
    Best VFX Artist
  • Rameshwaram International Film Festival
    Rameshwaram
    India
    February 17, 2024
    Best Director, Best Actor Male_01, Best Actor Male_02, Best Actor Female, Best Supporting Actor
  • Tagore International Film Festival
    Kolkotta
    India
    March 5, 2024
    Best Narrative Feature, Best Debut Filmmaker
  • Accolade Global Film Competition
    La Jolla, CA
    United States
    March 9, 2024
    Award of Recognition; Film Feature, Actor Leading, Viewer Impact
  • Titan International Film Festival
    Sydney
    Australia
    March 23, 2024
    Best Feature Film
  • South Asian International Film Festival
    Florida
    United States
    March 11, 2024
    Official Selection
  • Buddha International Film Festival
    Pune
    India
    December 11, 2024
    Best Foriegn Language Film & Special Jury Best Supporting Actor Award
Director Biography - Sanjay Prasad

Sanjay Prasad is an award-winning filmmaker, writer-director, editor and visual effects artist whose cinematic vision merges technical mastery with powerful, awakening narratives that entertain, engage, inspire reflection and evoke profound meaning.
Raised in a small Indian town, he launched his creative journey with Kannada films in Bangalore before expanding to the Bollywood film industry in Mumbai, where he honed his skills across direction, editing, and post-production. His international career includes Senior Editorial, VFX and Promotion Producer roles at MBC TV Group, Alarabiya News Channel and Dubai TV in Dubai, where he was instrumental in branding, promoting and visually defining both fiction and non-fiction programmings for global audiences.
Deeply inspired by philosophy, history, and art, Sanjay brings a multidimensional perspective to filmmaking. His debut independent feature, The Stranger (2024), showcased his versatility—written, directed, edited, and designed with original VFX by Sanjay himself. The film screened at numerous international festivals, earning over 26+ awards and nominations for its innovative storytelling and craft. The Stranger stands as a testament to his commitment, creative autonomy, and perseverance in cinema.

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Director Statement

As an introvert with a profound passion for storytelling, I discover my true voice through the art of cinema—a medium that unites every form of creativity on a single screen. For me, film is not just visual expression; it is a heartfelt endeavor to entertain, inspire, and leave a lasting impact. In every frame, I aim to merge artistry with intent, shaping stories that are both socially relevant and emotionally resonant.
My commitment as a director is to craft narratives that not only captivate and thrill but also spark reflection, lingering long in hearts and minds, transcending the confines of the screen.