December 1985, Mumbai, India*
Raj sat in his office at Karma Productions, a sense of triumph washing over him as he scanned the latest financial reports. The BSE Sensex, a new index launched earlier that year, had climbed to 600 points by December 1985—a significant leap from the 527 points it reached in his previous life as Rahul Singh. The difference was no coincidence. His stock recommendations in *The Bharat Front*, powered by the ROI system's pinpoint accuracy, had swayed small retail investors, driving demand for select stocks and subtly reshaping the market. At just 21, Raj was already leaving a mark on Mumbai's financial landscape.
With 7 crore in his coffers from his stock market wins—15 companies yielding 5–15% returns over five months—Raj was ready for his next move. He had launched *Pragarti Venture*, a new investment firm designed to fund promising startups. Transferring 5 crore into the firm's accounts, he reserved the remaining 2 crore for Karma Productions to cover salaries, post-production costs for *Pyar Kiya* and *Love Train*, and other operational expenses. *Pragarti Venture* would be his vehicle to scout and nurture India's next big businesses, with the ROI system as his secret weapon to filter winners from flops.
Raj picked up the phone and dialed Suraj Singh, the CEO of *Pragarti Venture*. Suraj, an IIT graduate with 15 years of business experience, was a sharp, no-nonsense professional Raj had handpicked for his vision and discipline. "Suraj, I want *The Bharat Front* to run an article tomorrow," Raj instructed. "Announce that *Pragarti Venture* is open to funding startups. Invite entrepreneurs to submit applications for investment. We'll review them, and the system—uh, I mean, our team—will select the most promising ones."
"Got it, Raj," Suraj replied, his tone crisp. "I'll coordinate with the newspaper team and ensure the article goes out. We'll set up a process to screen applications. Any specific criteria for the startups?"
"Focus on innovation—tech, manufacturing, anything with growth potential," Raj said. "I'll handle the final selections." With the ROI system, he could evaluate each startup's return potential with surgical precision.
Hanging up, Raj glanced at the clock: 5:00 PM. He grabbed his jacket and headed out, his driver waiting to take him to Bandra. Tonight, he had a dinner date with Priya Menon, the director of *Love Train*. Over the past five months, their regular lunches and dinners had deepened their connection, evolving from professional admiration to something far more intimate.
Thirty minutes later, Raj pulled up outside Priya's flat in a quiet society building. He pressed the bell, his pulse quickening with anticipation. Priya opened the door, her radiant smile lighting up the evening. Dressed in a simple yet elegant saree, she looked stunning. "Right on time, as always," she teased, stepping aside to let him in.
Raj stepped into the cozy flat, the door clicking shut behind him. Without a word, he slipped an arm around Priya's waist, pulling her close, and kissed her softly, her lips warm and inviting. It wasn't their first kiss—their chemistry had sparked months ago—but each moment still felt electric. Priya pulled back after a few seconds, her eyes sparkling with mock indignation as she playfully swatted his chest. "Pervert," she said, laughing, her hand lingering on his shirt.
"You love it," Raj grinned, earning another playful eye-roll. They headed out, climbing into his car for a short drive to a cozy restaurant in Bandra, where candlelight and soft music set the mood. Over dinner, they talked about *Love Train*'s progress, Priya's creative vision, and Raj's ambitious plans for *Pragarti Venture*. But beneath the conversation, their stolen glances and shared smiles spoke of a bond growing stronger by the day.
As they left the restaurant, Raj felt the weight of his achievements and the promise of the future. With 5 crore in *Pragarti Venture*, 2 crore for Karma Productions, and *The Bharat Front* thriving, he was building an empire. The ROI system ensured every move was a winner, but Priya's presence reminded him that some victories were sweeter than money.