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Posted onCategoriesBlog, Wandering P

Levelling Up in Life: My Epic Birthday as a New Dad

I am back and keeping up with my annual tradition of spilling the beans on my birthday shenanigans. This year’s celebration isn’t just any old cake-and-candles affair. It’s my first birthday as a new dad! 🍼👶 Talk about levelling up in the game of life!

This year I am in Lima, Peru, with my fantastic squad – Mel and of course, the newest member of our team Ella. This year was extra special, and not just because I’m rocking the dad vibes. Everything feels like a first again, and let me tell you, it’s all kinds of awesome Feel very much loved and super special.

This year, I was totally blown away by a surprise that’s going to be hard to top in the future. As an avid gamer (Play Station) who’s been practically living in the world of Apex Legends for the past few years (seriously, this game was my lifeline during the pandemic), I’ve made some incredible friends and formed an unbeatable squad. For those not in the know, Apex Legends is this intense, free-to-play battle royale game where you play in squads, each member rocking their unique abilities. And my go-to guy? The one and only Caustic – the master of toxic gas traps. 💨

Imagine my surprise when Mel unveils this jaw-dropping Caustic-themed cake. I mean, we’re talking about a cake so cool, that even a Google search couldn’t find any better-looking cake based on Apex Legends. The flavour of the cake was Red velvet. The cake was made by Rabbit Bakery. definitely a shoutout to them for making a fantastic cake.

This birthday wasn’t just about the cake. It was a day filled with love, laughter, and a whole lot of special moments with friends and family. I felt like the star of my own action-packed adventure, surrounded by the people who mean the world to me.

Reflecting on this year, it’s been a rollercoaster with lots of ups and very few downs. The journey has been filled with beautiful memories, love, and success. And as I blow out the candles (metaphorically speaking, because let’s be honest, who would want to ruin a masterpiece of a cake?), I just want to say a massive thank you to everyone who’s been part of this incredible journey.

So, here’s to another year of life, levelling up both in Apex Legends and as a new dad. Bring it on, world – I’m ready for whatever next-level challenges and joys you’ve got in store!

Peace out and party on, folks! 🎈🎮

Posted onCategoriesBlog, Film

’36 Gunn’ My 1st film as a Line Producer’36 Gunn’

36 Gunn is the 1st movie I worked on as a Line Producer, and We shot in 2018-19 during Christmas all over the Uk.

#36Gunn is a fantastic story about a couple married with the help of the Indian tradition of matching 36 points on Horoscopes who end up in the UK for their Honeymoon and truly end up discovering/questioning their compatibility. 
In Hindu tradition, Horoscope matching is the first step towards marriage to ensure the couple is compatible. 
This exercise has been a part of India’s culture for 1000s of years, but our director Samit Kakkad and the writer Hrishikesh Koli would like to question whether this 1000-year-old tradition is still necessary for a happy marriage. 
It’s funny, sad and romantic and I hope you will enjoy it.

It’s the 1st film I worked on, and it’s going to be a visual treat as it’s been shot in India and all over the UK, London, Glasgow, Ediborha and York. 

#36Gunn In Cinemas in India from 4th November 2022

कुंडली नाही, मतं जुळावी लागतात!
‘३६ गुण’ ४ नोव्हेंबरपासून आपल्या जवळच्या चित्रपटगृहात !

Starring : @santoshjuvekar12, Purva Pawar, Pushkar Shrotri, Vijay Patkar, Swati Bowalekar, Vaibhav Raj Gupta
Directed by : Samit Kakkad
Produced by : Mohaan Nadaar, Samit Kakkad, Santosh Juvekar, Savitri Vinod Gaikwad
Presented by : Nikhil Raibole, Bhupendrakumar Nandan, Cafe Marathi
Partner TPHQ : ketki pandit Mehta
Distributed by : Sunshine Studios
Story & Screenplay by : Hrishikesh Koli, Samit Kakkad
Dialogues by : Hrishikesh Koli
Cinematography by : Prasad Bhende
Editors : Ashish Mhatre, Apurva Motiwale Sahai
Music by : Ajit Parab
Singer : Harshwardhan Wavre
Programming: Aditya Kudalkar
Recording : Avadhut Wadkar , Ajivasan
Lyrics by : Mangesh Kagne
Live Percussion : Nilesh Parab
Chorus : Sonal , Veena , Reshma
Mastering : Mastering World (UK)
Costumes by : Deepa Mehta (Queen of Hearts)
Choreography by : Sujit Kumar
Sound Design by : Rohit Pradhan
Music Co : Video Palace
DI Lab by : Red Chillies
Executive Producer : Milind Shingte
Production Company : The Production Headquarters ltd, Samit Kakkad Films
Production Assistant: Finn Hitchcock 
Marketing & PR : Media One
Digital Marketing : It’s Social Time
Visual Promotion : Just Right Studioz NX
Publicity Campaign : Brain On Rent
Post Producer : Durgesh Gupta

Posted onCategoriesBlog

Yee, I am a BAFTA member

Guess what? I am officially a BAFTA Connect member! And let me tell you, I am over the moon about it! The British Academy of Film and Television Arts is a big deal, and being a part of it means I get to rub elbows with some of the industry’s most creative minds and talented peers. It’s like a dream come true!

It takes me back to the days when I studied film at the University of West London and landed a part-time gig at a film festival.
So, picture this, I’m almost a broke uni student, and I was desperately searching for a part-time job. I was so desperate that I even went to an induction for a waitressing job at a restaurant. They made me buy black pants and a shirt. But on the morning of my 1st day at the restaurant, I got a call from the festival offering me a part-time position. Thank goodness for that, or the restaurant would have been stuck with the world’s worst waiter!

Working at that film festival was a turning point for me.
I started out as an admin person but quickly moved up the ranks and became the festival’s video content creator. I even got to interview some big names in the industry, like famous actors and filmmakers. It was such a blast!

But it wasn’t just about the fun and glamour of meeting celebrities. Working at the film festival allowed me to expand my professional and social network, and even gave me the confidence to talk to new people. I used to be so self-conscious, being dyslexic and all, but working at the festival and attending film events helped me develop communication and leadership skills that I still use today.

And let’s not forget the benefits of having work experience while still in uni. It helped me pay for my college expenses and even gave me a head start in my career after graduation. In fact, I landed an editor and media operator job at a production company in SOHO just two weeks after finishing my degree!

So, if you’re a student, I highly recommend working while you’re at Uni. Even if it’s not in your field of interest, you’ll gain real-life experience and develop transferable skills that will be valuable when you’re ready to enter the workforce. And who knows? You might even end up rubbing elbows with some famous people like I did!

Here are some Pictures from my early days at the film festival.

Queen Elizabeth ii
Posted onCategoriesBlog

Personal opinion: Queen Elizabeth II and Colonialism.

Queen Elizabeth II’s Death has provoked significant online debate, especially amongst a section of the former British colonies.

The government declared a day of mourning on Sunday in India, with flags flying at half-staff to honor the late Queen Elizabeth II. But some online reactions across much of the country were blaming the Queen for Colonialism.

I also understand where most of the comments and points of view are coming from, and it is the anger of the dark past of British Colonialism
and yes, it needs to be talked about, but I feel like it should be targeted toward the Queen, especially on her death. as an Indian, I am just trying to put a different perspective.

Read MorePersonal opinion: Queen Elizabeth II and Colonialism.

Posted onCategoriesBlog

It’s times like these you learn to live again

It has been a strange year. I have had low moments, and there have been times where I have struggled to come to terms with everything that has changed in my life and throughout the world. But I have also made some truly happy memories over the last few months, and I have learnt so much about living life, love, and work.

We are out of the quarantine in the UK, and every day it’s getting more bright, sunny, and warm. From my bedroom window, I can see the people out having a great time drinking and having lunch at the Breakfast club downstairs on the street restaurants. It’s all is very jolly.
But I know there are a lot of people who are still in lockdown all over the world for more than a year now, and I am sure the struggle is real.
But it’s the health of the loved ones and the nation that matters, so it’s important that you stay in, especially people in India and South America, where things seem extremely bad with the new covid variant.

At times like this, when people are struggling, music is more powerful than ever. It gives you hope and comfort.
Sometimes all you need is to listen to that one song that makes you smile and think about your favorite memories. And for me, this BBC Radio 1 Stay Home Live Lounge Song’ Times Like These’ is exactly that.
Some of the biggest music artists collaborated on an extraordinary BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge cover of Foo Fighters’ ‘Times Like These’ from their own homes.

After years of struggling with being around people, with lack of compassion and selfish behaviours, you tend to start accepting things as they are and normalise this behaviour.
But the lockdown intensified these behaviours and me not being ok with it. moving away is sometimes the best medicine, and as the song says

It’s times like these you learn to live again
It’s times like these we give and give again
It’s times like these you learn to love again
It’s times like these, time and time again

Life always gets better when you move away from things that are not right for you 🙂
This chorus in the song really fills me with so much positivity and love.

The lockdown has made me appreciate the loved ones, close friends, and good, kind-hearted people in general. And also reach out to people that I haven’t spoken to in ages.
It also made me realize how interconnected we all are with each other and with nature, and we all need to keep doing more for others even after the pandemic ends.

Lots of Love
Parag

Lyrics
One, two, three, four
I, I’m a one way motorway
I’m the one that drives away
Then follows you back home
And I, I’m a street light shining
I’m a wild light blinding bright
Burning off alone
It’s times like these you learn to live again
It’s times like these we give and give again
It’s times like these you learn to love again
It’s times like these, time and time again
I, I’m a new day rising
I’m a brand new sky
To hang the stars upon tonight
I, I’m a little divided
Do I stay or run away
And leave it all behind?
It’s times like these you learn to live again
It’s times like these you give and give again
It’s times like these you learn to love again
It’s times like these, time and time again
Let’s go
It’s times like these that we activate
Do something to improve, don’t procrastinate
I’ve been cooking now make a wicked pasta bake
Stream games at 11 but I clap at 8
And I’ll do a facetime if you tempt me
Time to pay back with all the health docs lent me
And for me west ten’s elementary
But right now I wanna see ladbroke grove empty
You get me?
We make it better together we’ll make a better life
Because the pressure is ever upon us every night
And everyday so we pray and we will forever fight
We’ll make it better together, we’ll make a better life
I, I’m a one way motorway
I’m the one that drives away
Then follows you back home
I, I’m a street light shining
I’m a wild light blinding bright
Burning off alone
It’s times like these you learn to live again
It’s times like these you give and give again
It’s times like these you learn to love again
It’s times like these, time and time again
It’s times like these you learn to live again
It’s times like these you learn to love again

The artists taking part are (in alphabetical order): 5 Seconds of Summer, AJ Tracey, Anne-Marie, Bastille, Biffy Clyro, Celeste, Chris Martin of Coldplay, Dermot Kennedy, Dua Lipa, Ellie Goulding, Foo Fighters, Grace Carter, Hailee Steinfeld, Jess Glynne, Mabel, Paloma Faith, Rag’n’Bone Man, Rita Ora, Royal Blood, Sam Fender, Sean Paul, Sigrid, YUNGBLUD and Zara Larsson.

Image used in the blog : A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte (1884–1886) Painting by Georges Seurat

Parag Sankhe Website