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.
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Sanjay PrasadDirector
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Sanjay PrasadStory, Screenplay & Dialogue
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Sanjay PrasadProducer
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Poonam PrasadCo-Producer
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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"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
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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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Sanjay PrasadWriter
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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 7 seconds
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Completion Date:January 22, 2024
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Production Budget:180,000 USD
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Country of Origin:India, 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 6K & 8K
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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 -
Buddha International Film FestivalPune
India
December 11, 2024
Best Foriegn Language Film & Special Jury Best Supporting Actor Award
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.
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.