January 1986, Mumbai, India*
The January sun rose over Mumbai, casting a golden sheen across the city's bustling streets as Raj Mehra prepared for another day of empire-building. January 1986 had already proven transformative—his 7-crore fortune, built from a 3-crore inheritance, was a testament to his uncanny knack for picking winners, a secret he guarded closely. *Love Train* was three days from release, promising 5 crore in profits, *The Bharat Front* was reshaping India's investment landscape, and *Pragarti Venture* was poised to fund the nation's next big startups. As Raj sipped Kamla Aunty's steaming chai at his villa, his mind churned with plans, including a daring trip to London to test his instincts in casinos and sports betting.
Raj's first stop was the sleek office of *Pragarti Venture* in Nariman Point, where the glass facade reflected the shimmering harbor below. The air-conditioned lobby buzzed with ambition, and Suraj Singh, the sharp-witted IIT-graduate CEO, greeted him with a firm handshake, his crisp white shirt a contrast to the humid morning outside. "Boss, the startup proposals are ready," Suraj said, leading Raj to his corner office, where a panoramic view of the Arabian Sea framed a polished mahogany desk piled with files. "Twenty founders, all eager for your investment."
"Bring them in," Raj said, settling into his leather chair, his confidence radiating. Within five minutes, Suraj's assistant delivered 20 folders, each brimming with business plans, financial projections, and founder profiles. Raj flipped through them, his mind sharp as he internally consulted his secret weapon—a predictive tool from his 2025 life that calculated returns with surgical precision, though he'd never breathe a word of it to anyone.
He reviewed each startup meticulously:
1. **TechNova Solutions** (Bangalore, 20 lakhs): Affordable PCs for offices. [Loss: High competition, supply chain issues.]
2. **GreenHarvest Farms** (Punjab, 15 lakhs): Drip irrigation systems. [Minimal profit, but weather risks lead to loss.]
3. **AutoRick Innovations** (Mumbai, 30 lakhs): Electric auto-rickshaws. [Loss: Regulatory hurdles, battery tech limits.]
4. **MediCare Labs** (Delhi, 25 lakhs): Generic drugs. [Loss: Patent disputes, market saturation.]
5. **EduBright Academy** (Mumbai, 10 lakhs): Correspondence education for rural students. [Profit: 50 lakhs in 1.5 years, driven by literacy demand.]
6. **Surya Solar Panels** (Gujarat, 40 lakhs): Solar energy for rural homes. [Loss: High costs, slow adoption.]
7. **FashionWeave Textiles** (Kolkata, 18 lakhs): Apparel exports. [Loss: Cotton price fluctuations, trade barriers.]
8. **HealthFit Gyms** (Mumbai, 35 lakhs): Fitness centers. [Loss: Low fitness culture, high real estate costs.]
9. **BioFertil Organics** (Hyderabad, 12 lakhs): Organic fertilizers. [Loss: Farmer resistance, chemical dominance.]
10. **SwiftCourier Services** (Mumbai, 28 lakhs): Logistics for early e-commerce. [Loss: Unreliable infrastructure.]
11. **InnoSoft Software** (Pune, 22 lakhs): Accounting software. [Loss: Limited computer penetration.]
12. **PureWater Filters** (Chennai, 16 lakhs): Water purifiers. [Loss: Counterfeit products.]
13. **TravelEase Tours** (Delhi, 30 lakhs): Domestic tourism packages. [Loss: Economic uncertainty.]
14. **NutriFoods Processing** (Bangalore, 25 lakhs): Healthy snacks. [Loss: Supply chain issues.]
15. **ElectroMech Robotics** (Pune, 45 lakhs): Factory automation. [Loss: Tech barriers, labor shortages.]
16. **HerbalHeal Remedies** (Kerala, 14 lakhs): Ayurvedic medicines. [Loss: Regulatory delays.]
17. **UrbanRide Bikes** (Mumbai, 20 lakhs): Bicycle rentals. [Loss: Theft risks, poor urban planning.]
18. **SmartHome Devices** (Delhi, 32 lakhs): Home automation timers. [Loss: Electricity unreliability.]
19. **VegaVeg Farms** (Mumbai, 38 lakhs): Vertical farming. [Loss: High energy costs, land scarcity.]
20. **QuickPay Fintech** (Mumbai, 25 lakhs): Digital banking ledgers. [Profit: 1 crore in 1 year, low competition.]
Only *EduBright Academy* and *QuickPay Fintech* shone as winners. Raj met their founders in *Pragarti Venture*'s conference room, its walls adorned with charts of India's economic trends. Anil Kapoor, *EduBright*'s founder, was a soft-spoken educator in his thirties, his eyes alight with purpose. "We're targeting rural students with affordable study materials via post," he said, outlining a plan to scale exam prep courses. "India's literacy push is our opportunity." Raj offered 10 lakhs for a 40% stake, ensuring control while keeping Anil motivated. After a brief haggle—Anil wanted 30%—they settled at 40%, signing the deal with a handshake.
Meena Iyer, *QuickPay Fintech*'s founder, was a former banker with a commanding presence. "Our digital ledgers will streamline transactions for merchants," she said, her voice crisp as she pointed to a flowchart. "With 25 lakhs, we'll pilot in Mumbai's markets, cutting costs and time." Raj secured a 40% stake, Meena agreeing after ensuring her team's autonomy. The 35-lakh investment promised 1.5 crore in returns, a cornerstone for *Pragarti Venture*.
---
That afternoon, Raj drove his Hindustan Contessa to Rajnath Gupta's brokerage in Fort, the BSE's chaotic energy palpable—traders shouting bids, ticker tapes whirring. Rajnath greeted him with a grin, sliding a ledger across his cluttered desk. "Your picks were gold, Raj. Reliance Petrochem, Bombay Dyeing, and Hindustan Lever turned your 1.5 crore into 5 crore in 25 days. After my 15-lakh fee, you've got 4.85 crore profit."
Raj nodded, his total wealth now steady at 7 crore, with *Pragarti Venture*'s accounts bolstered by startup returns and *The Bharat Front*'s revenue. "What's next, Rajnath ji?"
Rajnath offered a file with 10 new stocks, but Raj, guided by his secret calculations, deflected. "I'm eyeing international markets. I'm heading to London soon—might test some opportunities there."
"London?" Rajnath's eyebrows shot up. "Casinos and sports betting? Risky, but you've got a knack. Just don't bet the house."
Raj chuckled. "I know my limits." His wealth was secure, and London's high-stakes games beckoned.
---
*The Bharat Front* had become a juggernaut, its circulation rivaling *The Times of India*. Raj's stock tips, carefully curated, had made it a bible for retail investors, driving the Sensex to 620 points and funneling millions into the market. Ad revenue poured in, swelling Karma Productions' coffers and cementing Raj's influence.
At *Mehra Book House*, Suraj had acquired a Dadar publishing studio for 20 lakhs, upgrading its presses and hiring editors. It was operational, ready to print Jyoti's *Baahubali Chapter 1*. Raj, sensing a literary goldmine, recruited V. Vijayendra Prasad, a writer whose epic storytelling he recognized from his 2025 knowledge as the original *Baahubali* creator and father of SS Rajamouli.
In a quiet office at *Mehra Book House*, Raj interviewed Vijayendra, a lean man with a thoughtful gaze. "What drives your stories?" Raj asked, leaning forward.
"Emotion and grandeur," Vijayendra replied. "I craft tales of loyalty, betrayal, and timeless heroism, inspired by epics like the Mahabharata. I want readers to feel the weight of every choice." Raj handed him Jyoti's 300-page *Baahubali* draft, its battles vivid but dialogues rough. "Polish this. Make it a masterpiece."
Vijayendra's eyes lit up as he skimmed it. "This is bold—Mahishmati, Shivudu, the betrayal. I'll refine the dialogues, deepen the characters." Raj hired him as an intern, tasking him with elevating the manuscript.
At Karma Productions, Raj met Jyoti, who sat on his office sofa, her notebook filled with *Baahubali* notes. "Your draft is strong, Jyoti," he said, "but Vijayendra's expertise will make it a bestseller. Trust me, this is the right move."
Jyoti frowned, her pride stung. "My work's good, Raj. Why him?"
Raj leaned forward, his voice earnest. "You're talented, but his experience will take it to the next level. This book could be huge." His secret calculations had shown a 10-lakh return with Jyoti alone, but 1 crore with Vijayendra's polish—a clear sign of the original creator's magic. Jyoti relented, and Vijayendra dove in, refining the saga with fervor.
As Raj planned his London trip, envisioning blackjack tables and cricket bets, his empire hummed—*Love Train*'s premiere, *The Bharat Front*'s dominance, and *Baahubali*'s literary promise. Mumbai sparkled below, and Raj, guided by his secret edge, was ready to conquer new horizons.