The cost arrived in the form of Leela Sharma—a municipal officer with a spine that wouldn’t bend and a reputation for papers stamped in red ink only when the law demanded. She had the inconvenient habit of inspecting water pipelines and asking questions about permits Munna called "procedures." Leela’s diligence turned into a public investigation. Munna argued for "dealing" with her—bribes, favors—but Arif remembered his father’s handwriting on a loan note and hesitated.

But empires built in gray are lit by harsh fluorescents. Arif’s lieutenant, Munna, was a boy from the same lane who believed in fewer compromises. Munna wanted headlines, territory, a statue he could point to and say, "This is mine." His hunger pushed them forward—into construction scams, land deals carved from the tombstones of poor tenants, into deals sealed with tea and empty promises. Arif saw the logic: expansion secured income; income secured influence. He saw also the cost, but told himself that cost was a future problem.

The story revolved around the life of a fictional Sultan who ruled Delhi centuries ago. Rohan was determined to make the series a reality, but he faced numerous challenges along the way. He needed a team of talented actors, writers, and technicians to bring his vision to life.