*July 1985, Mumbai, India*
Raj leaned back in his office chair at Karma Productions, the weight of the 120-lakh check from his stock market win still fresh in his mind. The city's afternoon heat seeped through the windows, but the hum of the ceiling fan and the stack of newspapers on his desk kept him grounded. With *Pyar Kiya* and *Love Train* in pre-production and another 50 lakhs invested in the stock market for a projected 1 crore return in a month, Raj was riding high. He flipped through the day's papers, scanning headlines for opportunities, when an advertisement caught his eye.
*The Bharat Front*, a struggling newspaper company, was raising 10 lakhs for a 40% stake. The article detailed the company's woes: two years of consistent losses, dwindling readership, and a desperate move by majority shareholders to offload their stakes and recover what they could. The paper was on the brink of collapse, its reputation tarnished by mismanagement and outdated printing presses. Most investors were fleeing, selling off shares at a fraction of their original value.
Raj's curiosity piqued. A failing newspaper wasn't an obvious investment, but the ROI system had never steered him wrong. He focused, summoning the system's interface in his mind. The text flashed before his eyes:
[*The Bharat Front*: Invest 10 lakhs for 40% share, earn 5 crore in 3 years – Massive Profit]
Raj nearly leapt from his seat, his heart pounding. Five crore in three years from a 10-lakh investment? That was a 50-fold return! He scanned the numbers again, double-checking the system's projection. In his previous life as Rahul Singh in 2025, he'd never heard of *The Bharat Front*. The company must have folded, its assets—printing presses, office space, and land—likely sold off to recover losses after shareholders bailed. But with the ROI system's insight, Raj saw an opportunity no one else did. If he acted fast, he could snap up the 40% stake and turn a failing business into a goldmine.
He grabbed the phone and dialed his lawyer, R.D. Mohan Das, a meticulous man in his fifties known for his sharp legal mind and extensive contacts in Mumbai's business circles. "Mohan Das ji, it's Raj Mehra. I need you to look into something urgently. *The Bharat Front* is selling a 40% stake for 10 lakhs. I want to buy it. Can you track down the sellers and set up a meeting as soon as possible?"
Mohan Das's voice crackled through the line, calm but curious. "*The Bharat Front*? Raj, that company's been bleeding money for years. The shareholders are desperate to get out. Why the interest?"
"Let's just say I see potential," Raj replied, keeping the system's role a secret. "I need you to move fast before someone else grabs it. Can you arrange a meeting by tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow's tight, but I'll make it happen," Mohan Das said. "I'll contact the primary shareholders—most of them are through a holding company called Sunrise Ventures. They're eager to sell, so it shouldn't be hard to negotiate. I'll call you tonight with details."
"Thank you, Mohan Das ji. Keep this discreet," Raj said, hanging up. His mind raced. A 40% stake gave him significant influence over *The Bharat Front*. With the right moves—modernizing equipment, hiring fresh editorial talent, or even pivoting to new media formats—he could turn it around. Or, if the system's timeline was tied to asset sales, he could hold the stake until the company's land and infrastructure were liquidated for a massive payout. Either way, 5 crore in three years was too good to pass up.
---
The next morning, Raj arrived at a modest conference room in Nariman Point, where Mohan Das had arranged the meeting with Sunrise Ventures. The room smelled faintly of coffee and old wood, and three men in suits sat across from Raj and Mohan Das. The lead shareholder, Mr. Vikram Patel, a portly man with a tired expression, spoke first.
"Mr. Mehra, we're relieved someone's interested in *The Bharat Front*," Vikram began. "The company's been a sinking ship. Losses have piled up—2 crores over two years. Our printing presses are outdated, and we've lost advertisers to bigger papers like *The Times of India*. We're offering 40% for 10 lakhs, but be warned: it's a risky bet."
Raj nodded, keeping his expression neutral. "I understand the risks, Mr. Patel. But I see value in the company's assets—your office in South Mumbai, the printing facilities, and the land in Thane. I'm prepared to buy the 40% stake for 10 lakhs, effective immediately."
The other two shareholders exchanged glances, clearly surprised by Raj's decisiveness. The second man, Mr. Arora, leaned forward. "You're young, Mr. Mehra. Why invest in a dying paper when you could put that money into something safer?"
Raj smiled, his confidence unshaken. "Every business has a turning point. I believe *The Bharat Front* can be revived with the right strategy. Besides, your assets alone are worth more than the asking price. I'm ready to sign today."
Mohan Das slid a prepared contract across the table, his efficiency cutting through any hesitation. "Gentlemen, the terms are straightforward: 10 lakhs for 40% of *The Bharat Front*, with all rights and liabilities transferred to Mr. Mehra. We've reviewed your financials, and the deal is fair."
Vikram hesitated, then sighed. "We just want out. If you're willing to take the risk, it's yours." After a brief discussion, the shareholders agreed, and the papers were signed. Raj handed over a check for 10 lakhs, his heart racing as he realized he'd just secured a stake that could yield 5 crore in three years.
As they left the meeting, Mohan Das adjusted his glasses and gave Raj a sidelong glance. "I hope you know what you're doing, Raj. This is a gamble."
Raj grinned, the ROI system's glowing numbers still vivid in his mind. "It's not a gamble if you know the outcome, Mohan Das ji. You'll see."
---
Back at Karma Productions, Raj sat at his desk, the signed contract for *The Bharat Front* in front of him. The films were on track, his stock investments were poised to deliver another 1 crore in a month, and now he'd secured a stake in a newspaper that could redefine his wealth. The ROI system was like a cheat code for life, and Raj was playing the game to win. As he glanced at his calendar, he noted his upcoming lunch with Priya. Business was booming, but the spark of their connection was another kind of victory—one he was just as eager to pursue.