December 31, 1988
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Raj sat in his expansive Mumbai office, the city skyline glittering through floor-to-ceiling windows as the year drew to a close. At 24 years old, the once-orphaned inheritor had become an untouchable force, his empire a sprawling web of influence that touched every corner of India and beyond. Surrounded by stacks of confidential reports, he reviewed the year's performance—a ritual that grounded his ambitions in cold, hard numbers. Total investments across his ventures now exceeded 1,200 crore, with projected yearly profits for 1988 hitting an unprecedented 800 crore. Each business was a cog in a self-sustaining machine: media amplified cultural reach, banking fueled expansions, agriculture countered crises, and covert operations eliminated threats. Raj smiled faintly; history was his to reshape.
He began with the core of his origins—entertainment.
**Karma Productions**, the film production and exhibition powerhouse that Raj had inherited in 1985 as a failing house valued at just 30 lakhs with 3 crore in cash, was now run by Priya Menon (his fiancée, who had transitioned from acting to executive oversight after her family's Bata partnership). Under her leadership, it had produced blockbusters like *Maharana Pratap: The Legacy* (1986, earning 15 crore) and *Baahubali 2* (1987, 40 crore). Investments totaled 150 crore, including 100 crore in 1987-88 for expanding to 500 screens nationwide (300 owned, 200 partnered). Performance was stellar: nationalist themes resonated amid the anti-Congress wave, with the Lotus Awards (launched 1986) drawing 50 crore in sponsorships. Yearly profits: 120 crore (80 crore from films, 40 crore from theaters), positioning it as Bollywood's dominant player.
Next, **The Bharat Front (TBF)**, the media juggernaut acquired in December 1985 for a mere 14 lakhs total (starting with a 40% stake). Managed by a trusted editor-in-chief, Ravi Sharma (a BP loyalist handpicked by Raj), it had grown from a loss-making rag to No. 1 in Maharashtra and Gujarat with 1.5 million circulation. Investments: 100 crore, including 50 crore in 1988 for advanced printing tech. It influenced stock markets (BSE surges tied to its tips) and politics (Bofors exposés aiding BP). Expanded to 10 regional editions, cross-promoting Netflix and Bata. Yearly profits: 80 crore (50 crore ads, 30 crore circulation).
**Pragarti Ventures**, the venture capital arm founded in December 1985 with 5 crore, was overseen by Suraj Patel (Raj's right-hand man, who doubled as Luxmi Bank's operations head). It funded 20 startups, including M&M Fans (20 crore invested in 1987, now at 30% ROI). The European branch birthed Netflix. Total investments: 200 crore (150 crore in 1987-88). Performance: Strong exits and dividends. Yearly profits: 100 crore (60 crore from returns, 40 crore dividends), recycling funds into UFT and Shiv Temple.
**Mehra Book House**, acquired in 1985 for 20 lakhs and run by Jyoti Sharma (Raj's partner and original *Baahubali* author, who managed creative and global distribution), had exploded with IPs like *Baahubali* (20 crore worldwide) and 15 titles including *Game of Thrones*. Investments: 50 crore (30 crore in 1988 for digital presses). Merchandise added 10 crore. Yearly profits: 40 crore (25 crore books, 15 crore merch), fueling film crossovers.
**Mehra Construction**, acquired in 1986 for 40 lakhs and led by CEO Vishal Singh, specialized in infrastructure. Using advanced techniques, it completed 10 highways (50 crore profits) and spearheaded the Shiv Temple. Investments: 300 crore (200 crore in 1988 equipment). Yearly profits: 100 crore (70 crore contracts, 30 crore temple-related).
**Estrella India Productions**, the global film venture acquired in Mexico 1986 for 30 crore and managed by a Mexico-based expat team under Raj's remote oversight, produced 15 films blending Indian themes. Investments: 150 crore. In steady production. Yearly profits: 30 crore.
**Global Theater Chains**, acquired 1986 with 200 crore and run by international managers tied to Pragarti, expanded to 150 screens in the U.S., Mexico, and Brazil. Investments: 250 crore. Screens Netflix and diaspora content. Yearly profits: 40 crore.
**Bharatiya Pragati (BP)**, the political party founded in 1986 with 60 crore from ASUR raids, was directed by a council of puppet leaders (social workers bound by loyalty oaths), with Raj pulling strings anonymously. Expansions to 10 states cost 100 crore in 1988 (aid programs). Meghalaya/Tripura wins built momentum. Investments: 200 crore total. "Profits": 50 crore in donations and favors, enabling business perks.
**ASUR**, the covert force founded 1986 with 20 operatives and commanded by Arjun Das, now boasted 700+ JS-1-enhanced agents. Kashmir ops dismantled 300+ terrorists; Punjab redirection underway. Investments: 300 crore (weapons, bases). Yearly profits: 80 crore from seized assets.
**Luxmi Bank**, revived in 1987 with 50 crore and run by Suraj Patel, hit 130 branches and 6 lakh customers via incentives and Swastika rebrand. Investments: 150 crore. Yearly profits: 100 crore from deposits/loans, integrated with UFT.
**Netflix Europe**, launched November 1987 with 20 crore under Pragarti and managed by a London-based team, reached 50,000 subscribers. Investments: 50 crore. Yearly profits: 20 crore.
**United Farmers Trust (UFT)**, founded 1987 and overseen by a farmer cooperative board with Raj's guidance, covered 30 villages and 2,000 members amid drought. Investments: 100 crore (equipment). Yearly profits: 30 crore from yields.
**Grand Shiv Temple Complex**, started January 1988 with 200 crore land buy and run by Vishal Singh's construction team, was 25% complete. Donations: 50 crore. Investments: 300 crore. Yearly profits: 10 crore from early tourism.
**Bata Shoes Pvt. Ltd.**, partnered March 1988 with Priya's father (Kishanlal Menon holding 51%), was co-managed by Kishanlal and a Raj-appointed exec. Modernized factories opened 10 stores. Investments: 100 crore. Yearly profits: 20 crore.
As the clock struck midnight, Raj raised a glass to the empty room. Eight hundred crore in profits—proof that his vision was unbreakable. The new year promised more: weddings, elections, and conquests.
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