**Chapter 19**
*March 6, 1986, Mumbai, India*
The morning sun cast long shadows across Mumbai's bustling streets as Raj Mehra maneuvered his Hindustan Contessa through the chaotic traffic toward the *Pragarti Venture* office in Nariman Point. The city's pulse—honking rickshaws, street vendors hawking chai, and the salty tang of the Arabian Sea—felt like home after his London escapades. With a net worth of 22 crore, fueled by 18 crore in UK winnings, *Love Train*'s 2.2-crore box office, and *The Bharat Front*'s dominance, Raj's empire was thriving. But as he navigated a crowded intersection, a sudden notification flashed in his mind, his secret predictive tool from 2025 delivering a game-changing update.
[*Congratulations, host, for successfully completing the trial period. System updating…*]
[*Update successful: ROI System upgraded to Prediction System.*]
[*System Shop opened successfully.*]
[*Prediction System: The system will no longer provide exact return values or timelines for investments. It will now answer all queries with a Yes or No response.*]
Raj's grip tightened on the steering wheel, a pang of disappointment hitting him. The precise figures—50 lakhs from *EduBright*, 5 crore from stocks—had been his edge. He pulled over near a bustling pavement, his mind racing. "No more exact returns?" he muttered, frowning. But as he pondered the new function, clarity emerged. A Yes/No system could answer broader questions—loyalty, strategy, even personal decisions—making it more versatile. "This could be powerful," he mused, a smile creeping in. He set the thought aside as the *Pragarti Venture* building loomed ahead, its glass facade glinting in the sunlight.
Meanwhile, across town outside Singhania Studios, a dejected man stepped onto the pavement, clutching a worn leather bag. Arjun Singh, a 32-year-old director with three modest films to his name—each budgeted at 10–20 lakhs and earning 30–40 lakhs—was at a crossroads. His latest script, *Maharana Pratap: The Legacy*, a historical epic about the Rajput warrior's defiance against Mughal rule, demanded a 2-crore budget, astronomical for 1986 India. Studio after studio had rejected it, citing Arjun's inexperience and the risky budget. His friend and co-writer, Satyapal Rana, a wiry man with a hopeful glint in his eye, clapped his shoulder. "Arjun, don't give up. Why not try Karma Productions? Their *Love Train* is a blockbuster, and Priya Menon was a newcomer too."
Arjun sighed, his shoulders slumping. "*Love Train* had a 30-lakh budget, Satya. Ours is 2 crore. No one's taking that chance on me."
"One last try," Satyapal urged. "Karma's different. Raj Mehra backs bold ideas."
Arjun nodded reluctantly. "Alright, let's do it."
Back at *Pragarti Venture*, Raj strode into his corner office, the Arabian Sea sparkling beyond the window. Suraj Singh, his sharp-witted CEO, followed, a thick contract in hand. "Boss, the theater chain deal is finalized—50 theaters for 5 crore," Suraj said, his voice brimming with pride. "Regal, Metro, and others across Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore. Here's the contract for your signature."
Raj took the document, scanning its clauses—locations, revenue splits, maintenance costs. His mind flickered to the new system. *Is Suraj loyal to me?* he asked silently.
[*Yes, host.*]
A grin spread across Raj's face, not just for Suraj's loyalty but for the system's swift response. Its simplicity was exhilarating. He signed the contract with a flourish, handing it back. "Good work, Suraj. Now, establish a film oversight body. Their job is to screen every movie for our theaters. If any film promotes anti-nationalist or anti-Hindu propaganda, it doesn't play. No exceptions."
Suraj's eyes widened slightly, but he nodded. "Understood, boss. I'll set it up and ensure compliance. If anything slips through, the oversight body will answer for it."
"Don't let it happen," Raj said, his tone firm but trusting. "I'm counting on you."
Suraj exited, already making mental notes, and Raj turned to a stack of reports—startup updates, stock analyses, and *The Bharat Front*'s latest circulation figures, now at 2 lakh copies daily. He spent an hour reviewing, his mind sharp despite the jetlag, before heading to Karma Productions.
At the production house, Shyam Rao greeted him with a warm clap on the back. "Raj, *Love Train*'s a juggernaut—2.2 crore and climbing. Priya's a genius, and Shekar Gupta and Kajal Agarwal are the talk of Bollywood. We're planning a sequel already."
Raj grinned, settling into Shyam's office, its walls lined with film posters. "What's the latest?"
"Third week: 35 lakhs, fourth: 50 lakhs, fifth: 55 lakhs, sixth: 60 lakhs," Shyam said, flipping through a ledger. "We've covered costs and are on track for 5 crore. Plus, *Pyar Kiya*'s post-production is nearly done—early buzz is strong."
"Keep pushing," Raj said, approving additional marketing funds. "And let's meet any new directors with bold scripts. We're not just making films; we're building legacies."
As he spoke, Arjun Singh and Satyapal Rana arrived at Karma Productions, their script in hand. Shyam ushered them in, intrigued by their pitch. "*Maharana Pratap: The Legacy*," Arjun began, his voice steady despite his nerves. "It's a historical epic—bravery, sacrifice, and Rajput pride against Mughal might. Budget's 2 crore, but it'll resonate with audiences craving pride in our history."
Raj listened, his mind querying: *Will this film succeed?* [*Yes.*] *Profitable at 2 crore?* [*Yes.*] Will it earn more than 5 crore? [Yes] Emboldened, he leaned forward. "It's ambitious, Arjun. Your track record's modest, but *Love Train* proved we take chances on new talent. Pitch me the story."
Arjun detailed a saga of Pratap's guerrilla warfare, his loyalty to Mewar, and a climactic battle, with Satyapal adding cultural nuances. Raj nodded, impressed. "I'm in. We'll fund 2 crore, but I want a detailed budget and a 70% profit share." Arjun and Satyapal exchanged stunned glances, agreeing eagerly.
They are just want a chance and now Raj was giving. 30% profit also good for them.
Raj left for *Mehra Book House*, where V. Vijayendra Prasad awaited with the finalized *Baahubali: The Beginning*. "It's ready," Vijayendra said, handing over the manuscript, credited to Jyoti Menon and co-author V. Vijayendra Prasad. Raj skimmed it, the prose gripping—Shivudu's quest now a literary masterpiece. "Print 1 lakh copies," Raj told Lalit Modi. "Scale to 2 lakhs if sales soar."
He then visited Priya and Jyoti's flat, now half-empty as they'd moved to his villa. Over chai, Priya gushed about *Love Train*'s success, while Jyoti shared her progress on *Baahubali Chapter 2*. "Vijayendra's work on *Chapter 1* is brilliant," Jyoti said, her eyes alight. "I'm diving into *Chapter 2*—it's going to be epic." Raj smiled, his empire—films, books, theaters, and stocks—thriving, with the Prediction System's Yes/No clarity opening new doors.