theculturalconnect.com | Sanjay Sanghoee

Sanjay Sanghoee, Author,
Associate at Major Hedge Fund

Sanjay Sanghoee

To anyone who has attempted work in the creative or performing arts, it is common knowledge that these pursuits are all-consuming. For this reason, we are in awe with multi-talented author Sanjay Sanghoee’s ability to flawlessly balance more creative and business projects than we can even begin to count. MERGER, the title of his 2005 financial thriller novel, is a fitting description for his wide-ranged professional achievements. Sanjay, 33, combines his knack for numbers and love for words by working at a major hedge fund company in addition to penning spec scripts for hit television shows such as Law & Order and Without A Trace. Although Sanjay received his undergraduate and graduate degrees in both Engineering and Business, respectively, his highly-acclaimed literary and entertainment career success demonstrates how academic study is far from all-determining what you do in life. In fact, Sanjay credits his business background for providing the much-needed wisdom and practicality to seal his first book deal. With MERGER being developed into a feature film, Sanjay will add a new accomplishment to his long list of creative credits by serving as the film’s Director. Read on to learn more about this multi-talented individual as we profile this literary sensation in this week’s Young and Professional Profile.

Website

www.merger-novel.com

Name

Sanjay Sanghoee, 33, Author, Associate at Major Hedge Fund, Co-Chairman of the Media & Entertainment Committee of the Columbia Business School Alumni Club

Hometown

New Delhi, India

Current residence

New York, NY

Education

Columbia Business School, MBA (2000); Columbia Engineering School, BS (1995)

Work experience

Lazard Freres, Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein, PaineWebber

Ethnicity

Indian

About your recent projects

My first novel, MERGER, was published in hardcover in 2005 and comes out in paperback in November 2006. MERGER is a financial thriller along the lines of Wall Street and The Firm, and is currently being developed as a feature film by a major production company in Hollywood. I will be directing the movie. Since the novel features a major Indian character, we will be casting that role out of Bollywood.

I recently directed a short film which is now in editing. The short film will be submitted to film festivals starting in the fall.

I am currently completing my second novel, an international thriller about art theft and terrorism, which I have also developed as a screenplay. I am represented for the book by the agency that sold The Da Vinci Code.

Additionally, I have developed a TV Pilot on Corporate Crime which we hope to pitch to the networks sometime this year. I have written spec scripts for shows like Law & Order and Without a Trace in the past. Through all of this, I work at a major hedge fund in New York and am also the Co-Chairman of the Media & Entertainment Committee of the Columbia Business School Alumni Club of New York.

What are your day-to-day responsibilities?

On the hedge fund side, I do research and analysis on debt deals, which is a good balance to my creative side. On the writing side, my days are completely unpredictable. While I try my best to write a little each day, it doesn’t always work out like that. Most of the time I find myself juggling about 4 or 5 projects all in the same day, but you get used to it. It helps that I generally don’t need more than 4-5 hours of sleep a night! The great thing about the entertainment field is that it’s never dull. There’s always some creative or logistical challenge for you to tackle. For example, shooting my short film was a complicated exercise and an experience that was completely unique. Not having done it before, every minute was a learning experience for me.

Most notable milestones

I would have to say getting my first novel published. I feel incredibly lucky since most writers can go for a decade without finding a publisher. It can be a brutal field and is not necessarily reflective of your talent. However, it was not an accident either. I re-wrote the book several times, constantly networked and even argued with my agent to get the book to the finish line. So I guess the real achievement here isn’t my writing but persistence.

A close second is my short film, which I almost didn’t make due to financial and logistical reasons. I am extremely proud of the film and grateful to the incredible crew who made it happen.

What makes you unique?

I would say my mix of a business background and creative side. Having worked in investment banking and now the hedge fund world, I have a pretty good handle on the business side of things, but my writing balances out the analytical/anal side of me with a cooler, more flexible persona. :) Most bankers tend to be staid and boring and most artists have no business sense. I think that I bridge those two worlds.

What's in store for the future?

Eventually I would like to direct movies full-time, but will still continue writing novels and perhaps dabble in other aspects of the movie business such as production.

Unexpected learnings along the way

Humility and patience. The creation of an entertainment project takes many many skilled people and everyone’s work is crucial to the final result. It’s really important to be able to work with people and also learn when to be aggressive and when to sit back patiently. It can be a little nerve-wracking sometimes.

Who are you interested in being contacted by?

I enjoy meeting people of all types but my preference is people who are willing to take risks and go after their passions. I love hearing from other authors as well as filmmakers who are doing innovative things. While my work is mostly Hollywood-related, I am fascinated by Bollywood and hope to meet more people from that arena as well.

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Best way to stay ahead

Keep on top of your industry and keep coming up with creative ideas. The only thing that ultimately ensures your success is a good product.

“Most bankers tend to be staid and boring and most artists have no business sense. I think that I bridge those two worlds.”

Guiding principle in life

To be a nice person, no matter what else I do. Being a successful jerk is pointless.

Yardstick of success

A mix of personal happiness, good relationships and yes, money and fame.

Goal yet to be achieved

So many that I can’t even count! I would like to write a book someday that will entertain and inspire future generations, direct a studio feature, find my political voice and do more to help people. Many steps to go…

Best practical advice

Two things. First, keep plugging away at whatever you are passionate about and believe that you can achieve your goals. Don’t give up. Second, stop occasionally and take stock of where you are and more importantly, where you want to go – it may not be as obvious as you think it is.

Supportive words from a family member or friend on your venture

My cousin Sonu is always telling me to “keep going” and sends me book reviews on MERGER whenever she finds them.

Most memorable business experience

Getting my offer letter from PaineWebber when I graduated college. It was my first real paying job and I thought that receiving a letter on letterhead via FedEx made me incredibly important.

Mentor

I have been fortunate to have several but I would say my biggest mentor has been my father Subhash, who has constantly pushed me to achieve my goals and believe in myself. He is also a great editor and has helped me improve my storytelling and writing tremendously.

What motivates you for success?

The desire to create and make a difference. I hate to be part of the crowd.

Like best about what you do

I love writing because it allows me to create something out of nothing. Also, I like creating an emotional response in readers.

Like least about what you do

It’s extremely solitary and makes me anti-social sometimes. Writing/filmmaking can be very demanding mistresses.

At age 10, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A farmer (not kidding).

Biggest pastimes outside of work

Going to movies and shows, playing poker, hanging out with friends, going to the gym.

Person most interested in meeting?

Amitabh Bachhan, because he is one of the most talented actors alive and I want to cast him in the movie for MERGER! Also Shashi Tharoor of the UN, who I feel is an exceptionally brilliant and polished diplomat and a scholar.

Leader in business most interested in meeting?

Bill Gates. Besides being a businessman, he is also a visionary. I feel that he is truly a force of change in the world and his charitable work speaks volumes about his character. I think that he could be a great person to learn from and emulate.

Three interesting facts about yourself

1. I am a Midnight’s Child (born at midnight on August 15).
2. I almost quit school to become an ice-skater when I was 16.
3. I sometimes need loud noise and lots of distraction in order to concentrate!

Three characteristics that describe you

Relentless, Focused and Warm.

Three greatest passions

Rock Music, Dancing and Horror Movies.

Favorite books

The Day of the Jackal by Frederick Forsyth and Nothing Lasts Forever by Roderick Thorpe.

Favorite cause

Hunger.

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Sanjay Sanghoee

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