The Accidental Apprentice is a novel by Indian author Vikas Swarup. [1] [2] [3] It is about a shop assistant, Sapna Sinha, who is invited to become CEO of a business empire if she can pass a series of seven tests. The story explores various forms of corruption in modern India. [4] It has been dramatised for BBC Radio Four's 15 Minute Drama [5] and is due to be adapted into a film by director Sriram Raghavan. [6]
The premise of the plot is inspired by the reality television show The Apprentice . [7] Sapna Sinha works in an electronics store in downtown Delhi. She hates her job, but she is ambitious and determined to succeed, because she knows that her family's fate is dependent on the money she brings in. One day, as she leaves the shop for her lunchbreak, she is approached by a man, Vinay Mohan Acharya, who claims to be the CEO of one of India's biggest companies. He tells her he is looking for someone to take on his business empire, and has decided it should be her. But in order to become the heir of his empire, Sapna must pass seven tests from the "Textbook of Life".
The seven tests are seven unexpected and life threatening situations with each test revealing a different quality of a leader. Sapna passes six of the seven tests with great difficulty. Though Vinay praises her for her character, Sapna is outraged at Vinay's indifference to the threat which posed to life. Each situation explores a facet of corruption in India. So far, Sapna learns the qualities of leadership, integrity, courage, foresight, resourcefulness and decisiveness, with Acharya keeping tabs on her and explaining the relevance of each quality.
As the story progresses, it is revealed that Acharya is facing bitter rivalry from his volatile and aggressive twin brother, AK Acharya. His company is engaging in insider trading and Acharya himself is not keeping well.
Acharya hints that the seventh and final test would be the hardest of all. However, as Sapna proceeds against the final task, the seventh test horribly spirals out of control. Vinay is found murdered mysteriously and Sapna is framed for the murder.
Sapna escapes from jail and she discovers, to her horror, that her past had come to haunt her. Sapna uses all her wits to escape from the escalating situation and finally all is well.
In the end, AK takes over Vinay's company and feels remorseful for holding a grudge against his brother. He speaks to Sapna and gives her a letter written by Vinay long ago. The letter reveals the truth why Vinay had chosen Sapna as his successor and tells her the final lesson he intended to impart: Wisdom. AK explains Sapna his brother's intentions, clearing her doubts.
AK promises help to Sapna and asks her to take over as the CEO of Vinay's company. Sapna turns it down, saying that she intends to follow her heart, and AK agrees with her.
Alda Sinha, better known by her stage name Mala Sinha is a former Indian actress who has worked in Hindi, Bengali and Nepali films. Initially starting her career with regional cinema, she went on to become a top leading actress in Hindi Cinema in the late 1950s, 1960s and early 1970s. In a career spanning four decades, Mala Sinha rose to prominence with films like Guru Dutt's Pyaasa (1957) and Yash Chopra's Dhool Ka Phool (1959). Later, she starred in over hundred film productions including Phir Subah Hogi (1958), Hariyali Aur Rasta, Anpadh, Dil Tera Deewana (1962), Gumrah, Bahurani, Jahan Ara (1964), Himalay Ki God Mein (1965), Aasra (1966), Ankhen, Do Kaliyan and Maryada (1971). She was known as the "daring diva" and "torch bearer of women's cinema" for essaying strong female centric and unconventional roles in a range of movies considered ahead of their times. Having received multiple awards and nominations, she was given the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018.
Vikas Swarup is a retired Indian diplomat and writer. He retired from the Indian Foreign Service as the Secretary (West) at the Ministry of External Affairs, India on 30 June 2021 and has previously served as High Commissioner of India in Canada and has been the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs. He was best known as the author of the novel Q & A, adapted in film as Slumdog Millionaire, the winner of Best Film for the year 2009 at the Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards and BAFTA Awards.
Jewel Thief is a 1967 Indian Hindi-language spy thriller heist film directed by Vijay Anand. The film stars Ashok Kumar, Dev Anand, Vyjayantimala and features four bond girl-like actresses portrayed by Tanuja, Helen, Faryal and Anju Mahendru, with Nazir Hussain and Sapru appearing in supporting roles. It was produced by Dev Anand's production house, Navketan Films. The film revolves around a jewellery expert (Anand), as he and the police attempt to capture a notorious jewel thief, but in the process, their true identities get thoroughly muddled.
Tum Bin, also known as Tum Bin... Love Will Find a Way, is a 2001 Indian Hindi-language romantic drama film written and directed by Anubhav Sinha. The film stars Priyanshu Chatterjee, Sandali Sinha, Himanshu Malik and Raqesh Bapat. The music is composed by Nikhil-Vinay, with lyrics penned by Faaiz Anwar. The film is a remake of Ernst Lubitsch’s 1932 film Broken Lullaby.
Vinay Pathak is an Indian theater and film actor. He has starred in many films including Khosla Ka Ghosla,Bheja Fry,Island City and Johnny Gaddaar and had a supporting role in movies like Jism, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, and My Name is Khan.
Dilwale is a 1994 Indian Hindi-language romantic action film starring Ajay Devgn, Sunil Shetty, Raveena Tandon and Paresh Rawal. Originally Divya Bharti signed for the lead, but due to her sudden demise, she was replaced by Tandon. It was released on 4 February 1994 and had a runtime of 180 minutes. Dilwale was declared a superhit at the box office and went on to become one of the highest grossing films of 1994. Suniel Shetty got nominated for the Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award.
Mridula Sinha was an Indian writer and politician who served as Governor of Goa from August 2014 to October 2019. She was the first woman Governor of Goa.
Kismat (transl. Destiny) is a 2004 Indian Hindi-language action film directed by Guddu Dhanoa, starring Bobby Deol and Priyanka Chopra in the lead roles. It also stars Kabir Bedi, Sanjay Narvekar, Smita Jaykar and Ashish Vidyarthi. This was the last film produced by Time Magnetics.
Bhagyavidhaata is an Indian television drama series that airs on Colors since 4 May 2009. Set in the urban district of Motihari, Bihar, the show deals with the Sinha and Prasad families. The series has been dubbed into Telugu on Gemini TV as 'Gruha Lakshmi' and into Tamil on Polimer TV as 'Saami Potta Mudichu'.
Arunima Sinha is an Indian mountaineer and sportswoman. She is the world's first female amputee to scale Mount Everest, Mount Kilimanjaro (Tanzania), Mount Elbrus (Russia), Mount Kosciusko (Australia), Mount Aconcagua, Mount Denali and Mount Vinson. She is also a seven time Indian volleyball player.
Encounter is an Indian crime television series, produced by Endemol India for Sony Entertainment Television. Its central plot was based on 35 encounters in Mumbai over 36 one-hour episodes.
Badlapur is a 2015 Indian Hindi-language neo-noir action thriller film directed by Sriram Raghavan and produced by Dinesh Vijan and Sunil Lulla under Maddock Films and Eros International. Based on the novel Death's Dark Abyss by Italian writer Massimo Carlotto, the film stars Varun Dhawan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui, with Huma Qureshi, Yami Gautam, Vinay Pathak, Kumud Mishra, Divya Dutta and Radhika Apte in supporting roles. The film was released on 20 February 2015 to high critical acclaim from critics & audiences praising Raghavan’s direction, film’s dark tone & theme, screenplay & narration, soundtrack, cinematography & performances especially of Nawazuddin & Dhawan. Box Office India reported that Badlapur was a commercial success with grossed approximately ₹81.3 crore (US$10 million) worldwide.
Kashmakash is a 1973 Indian Hindi-language film directed by Feroze Chinoy, starring Feroz Khan, Rekha, Shatrughan Sinha, Asha Sachdev, along with Ranjeet, Rehman, I. S. Johar, Padma Khanna. Loosely based on James Hadley Chase's novel Tiger by the Tail.
Pyar ka Sapna is a 1969 Bollywood film starring Ashok Kumar, Mala Sinha, Biswajeet, Helen and others.
Jagdish Narain Sinha is an Indian pharmacologist and a former professor at the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics of the Uttar Pradesh Dental College and Research Centre, Lucknow. He is also a former member of the faculty of King George's Medical University and has been a member of the Independent Ethics Committee of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization.
Bigg Boss 11, also known as Bigg Boss 11: Padosi Bajayenge Barah, is the 11th season of Indian reality TV series Bigg Boss, which aired on Colors TV. Salman Khan returned to host the show for the 8th time. It premiered on 1 October 2017. The grand finale of the show took place on 14 January 2018 and Shilpa Shinde was announced as the winner while Hina Khan as the runner-up.
Andhadhun is a 2018 Indian Hindi-language black comedy crime thriller film co-written and directed by Sriram Raghavan. It stars Tabu, Ayushmann Khurrana, Radhika Apte and Anil Dhawan. The film tells the story of a blind piano player who unwittingly becomes embroiled in the murder of a retired actor.
Akasa Air, a brand of SNV Aviation Private Limited, is an Indian low-cost airline headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. It was founded by Vinay Dube and Aditya Ghosh with investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala holding a 46% stake in the airline.
