Chapter Eleven: Kissa Corporate Bankruptcy Ka

by Amit Shankar

Feeling suffocated within the confines of Udaipur, his past and inconsequential job, Virendra Vikram Singh aspires to be a part of an MNC. However, with dreams having a nasty habit of going haywire, the day he joins his dream company, it files for Chapter 11–bankruptcy.

First of its kind, Chapter 11 is a bold and honest portrayal of corporate sleaze, dejection, love and self-discovery

361 pages, Paperback

First published August 31, 2011

About the author

loner, drifter, coffee lover, great cook, an avid music buff who is inspired by classic rock, blues, metal and jazz. loves to strum his guitar.

Reviews

[Spectralhues · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘All that glitters is not gold’- This quote is not oblivious to a socially conscious and educated person. Despite the Shakespearen awareness any ‘dream-chasing’ denizen might found one to be entangled in the Illusionary desert of relative ‘gold’ in one’s momentary life. How? Why? When? Where? ‘Chapter Eleven’ by Amit Shankar seems to hold nerves to answer evocatively.

Chapter elevenThe cover of the book is composed of yellow background, black sketches of skyscrapers and a semi stature of a person with a Hindi subtitle of ‘kissa corporate bankruptcy ka’ brings out an metaphorical picture to one’s flamboyant ‘spring’ in corporate career; compilation of dreams, whims and fancies with Shahrukh Khan’s ‘Jo Main Chahoon Woh Main Payoon’ from the movie ‘Yes Boss’ playing in the subconscious mind; vehemently followed by ‘black’ uncanny, capricious typhoon trying to grab everything and anything; plausibly ending one’s mellifluous dream to unscrupulous corruption with nepotism.

The fulcrum of the story highlights around the life and its consequences of VVS aka Virendra Vikr am Singh. Being from Udaipur, small yet historically powerful town, blossomed under the patronage of posthumous glory of Rajput; he bears a burning urge to experience the opulence provided by contemporary ‘cozy corporate’ empire. Hence, joining a posh MNC like ‘Comm Tech’ makes him feel ‘on cloud nine’ at the very inception, until a cumulus ‘pall of gloom’ in the form of corporate ‘chapter eleven’ pertains a hara-kiri to the pent-up ambitions of his modest soul.

Then there is Sandy aka Sandeep Khandelwal, often found to play a role of plausible ‘Corporate Chanakya’ to certain topsy-turvy circumstance of VVS ; How does it feel for a blue-blooded Rajput to seek favor and guidance in nitty-gritty from a person(Sandy) who is diagonally placed opposite to him in the ‘human nature’ grid? How does VVS lose his self-image in the corporate money making desert? Is his only emotional solace Ambica an odyssey or mirage in this illusionary desert? How does a honest, diligent person finds him/her vindictive at the cost of attrition behind the gloves of mean-minded business policy?

The author articulates paranoid picture of a bankrupted MNC, it’s relative impact on different rank of employees with incertitude having a ubiquitous presence. In some context, introduction of multiple characters pertains an pretentious anticlimax but their penultimate integration with eventual inter-relationships do not seem frivolous at the end. He does not give any filmy solution to the problems which he states vociferously in the book, despite knowing that his book can represent a holistic ‘filmy’ atmosphere of contemporary ‘rat race’ era. This might be because he wants his beloved readers to perceive a pie of corporate incertitude and subsequently implement independent decision in his/her instinctive life.

(Review by Abhishek Das)

[Abhilash Ruhela · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second last book that I read and reviewed recently was Amit Shankar's Love is Vodka. I quite liked it and I knew that he is one of the writers who can never disappoint me with the plot of his story. I also liked his writing style. Just after posting his reviews, I got to know a comment that he made for Book Reviewers where he said after the 4 lines of jingle, "Can't write to save your life? Become a Book Reviewer." This shows the disrespect and its evident that the author sees Book reviewer as an inferior class against his position of being an author. Well this is a harsh truth for some of the book reviewers but being an author, he should respect Book Reviewers because the 60% of visibility and popularity that such not-so-popular authors get is because of the book reviewers. My only request to him is that now he's an Author and he should think 100 times before saying or posting something in public. He has to be responsible, no matter what!

Well, now coming to his 2nd work that I have read out of three that he has written, "Chapter 11" which also has the tagline "Kissa Corporate Bankruptcy Ka". The 353-pages story is published by his home publisher- Vitasta. As I showed my doubt regarding the publisher last time if it's good or not, after reading these 2 books of Amit Shankar, I am sure that they are one of the capable publishers in our literary world. The cover page of this novel is yet made exactly according to how story is. The whole process of how Amit Shankar takes the story ahead is what I like about him. There's a certain confidence that can be made out through the narration skill he has. He knows that every sentence that he is writing is required in the story and he makes it sure that he isn't over-exaggerating anything. A wonderful writer to be followed in future. :-)

SYNOPSIS:-
Feeling suffocated within the confines of Udaipur, his past and inconsequential job, Virendra Vikram Singh aspires to be a part ofan MNC. However, with dreams having a nasty habit of going haywire, the day he joins his dream company, it files for Chapter Eleven bankruptcy. First of its kind, Chapter Eleven is a bold and honest portrayal of corporate sleaze, dejection, love and self-discovery.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:-
His debut novel Flight of the Hilsa was received exceptionally well by the readers and critics alike. No wonder, in no time it went on to become a national best-seller. Amit Shankar, an advertising professional, has worked with some of the biggest advertising agencies, spearheading the communication for global brands. As a Copywriter and Creative Director, he has bagged some of the biggest advertising awards.

As I have already said that there's a certain confidence in author that makes him write a story that he himself has faith on and makes readers feel that they are reading something that comes once in a time. I am fan of his narration now. I also loved a new thing that I found about him- the great sense of humor that plays a big part in this book. If you take away the humor from this funny book, there's nothing much left to be read. And that's the USP of Chapter Eleven. Whenever a book is based on Corporate life, there comes a feeling that it might bore us but there are very few books that stands out differently, this is one among them. The protagonist VVS is someone whom I would love to see again in the sequel to this novel or in some other work. His background, his current scenario and his dreams, all are managed so properly that you can actually imagine VVS accurately. :-)

The starting of the book is itself interesting as it shows how VVS gets his dream job and after joining the office, his wide expressions after seeing all the corporate arrangements is a wonderful thing to read. Then the moment he enters the company, company gets into a situation where they start throwing employees out of the organization, his fear from then onward is what the whole book is all about. His equation with his wife is depicted nicely. His religion- Rajput is shown in a good light with humorous touch- this is something for which I should accolade the author. Then the relation of VVS with Ambica is also narrated beautifully because I thought that it would be too sensuous to handle but author kept it very light and real. Though something related to Ambica became quite obvious at a point of time hence the story became predictable for me since then. It is only then that I got disappointed. Else, the book is a wonderful book in this section of Popular Fiction and I would recommend it to all. I give it 4 out of 5.

Thanks.

ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU!!!

[Amrit Sinha · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know what a heart is, right? It is an organ that pumps blood and provides us with life. It is vital to our existence, well-being, and survival. Perhaps, it serves as the most crucial part in the human machinery.

Now, moving out of the biological mode, a heart is what nourishes our feelings, emotions and sentiments. We are drawn towards everything that is close to our hearts, as we consider it to be a closet of purity, an inner reflection of our soul. 'Chapter Eleven' by Amit Shankar defines just that. It is a heart-warming tale of an honest man, fighting against the corrupt corporate world around him, which takes you on a ride of soul searching and self – identification. This tale touches you deep, deep within your heart, enticing your shadow, in such a way that you cannot avoid falling in love with it.

In short, this story travels from heart to heart, the former belonging to the author, the latter possessed by the readers.

The plot revolves around VVS, or Virendra Vikram Singh, a Rajput bana from Udaipur, who leaves his seemingly inconsequential job, and his family, in Udaipur and shifts to Gurgaon as soon as he is offered a high paying position in a reputed MNC. He is ecstatic, and thankful to the almighty for having fulfilling his dream of being a part of the slick corporate industry. However, the day he joins, his company files for Chapter 11, which in simple layman term, can be reworded as ‘Bankruptcy.’

The glass façade cracks and the dark truth about corporate sleaze and deception starts tumbling out to flood VVS’s conscience. Soon, he realizes that the shining and fake glitter of corporate world isn't a place for honesty. This leads him to a path of self-realization and retrospection, and changes the person within him.

This is a book that MUST be read by all corporate people (and yes, MUST is typed in bold). This is a book about ethics and work culture, and a story that delves with different shades of the trade. Moreover, this is not a tale of just a single man - VVS, rather it deals with million other people who have often found themselves to be a victim of corporate betrayal and treachery.

The story starts as a light read, with dosages of humor and it instantly grabs hold of your attention. How VVS manages to adjust to the brighter city - Gurgaon, and his initial experiences in the big MNC will make you smile, and at times, laugh. However, halfway down the book, and the tone shifts towards a graver and more serious perspective of corporate workflow. Though this change of scenario was necessary, keeping in mind the subject that this book deals with, I felt that it dragged the story a bit. Perhaps, for someone with a none-corporate background, those portions might be a bit heavy to flow along with.

However, the last few chapters, and the twist, totally blew me over, and that’s what prompted me to mark this book as a MUST read in one of the paragraphs above. Do pick up a copy, and Amit Shankar’s brilliant storytelling will surely strike a chord with you.

After all, something that can blend with your heart, will always grant you fulfillment.

[Divya Nambiar · Rating 3 out of 5]

It stood there braving the storms until the last gush of fearful wind brushed past its branches...
Shatter it did, but so silently that its existence faded away just like the darkness when it was claimed forever!- Divya Nambiar

This is what exactly came to my mind when I turned the last page of this book. A powerful story of what goes behind the sophisticated, glass structures of corporate offices- told with real proximity. The reader can expect to be surprised,disgusted,amused,shocked and regaling in the strange corporate world that is described in this book.

Virendra Vikram Singh a.k.a. VVS, a 'Rajput' from a small town in India, lands in CommTech wearing rose-tinted glasses. Bit by bit the reality dawns upon him, albeit the fact that not all things are meant to last- not even one's hopes, dreams and trust.

The author describes the 'Kissa Corporate Bankruptcy Ka' with amazing precision. Through the eyes of VVS, the reader gets to explore the dark, lesser known nitty-gritties of a world that we must encounter at some point in our lives( at-least for the ones who plan to work in an office one day/are already working/ worked at some point in a corporate setting).

The cover-page illustrations make more sense after one completes reading the story, especially for the ones like me, who tend to delve deeper into the scheme of things and the way they tend to be at some point of time and then cease being that one day.The tie that somehow stands out in white, the absence of the head of the man on the cover-page, the buildings representing a posh city in the backdrop... Every aspect becomes even more beautiful after reading the entire story.

P.S. It's good to complete reading a book even if it does seem to become black and white somewhere along the way because sometimes, the colour splashes when we least expect it to; into our minds and creates an imprint that can last for a long, long time.

- Divya Nambiar

Author: Mr.Amit Shankar
Other books by the author-

[Sonal · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Chapter Eleven- Kissa Corporate Bankruptcy ka’ is the third work of Amit Shankar. He has already won many hearts with his previous works ‘Flight of Hilsa’ and ‘Love is Vodka’. After discussing and spreading some ‘gyaan’ (what he actually denies but gyaan is there) about love, Amit has now focused his attention on corporate world. In this work, he narrates story of a guy VVS who is wedged in an insufficient job in Udaipur. VVS wishes to join MNC, where he can have the charm and his dream life. Life plays prank with him as the day he enters his dream job, the company files for Chapter 11- bankruptcy. As the story develops, VVs comes face to face with the bitter realities of corporate world. The feeling of diaspora grips VVS whenever he is in opposite city. He is betrayed by life in many ways yet fights back and makes remarkable exit.

‘Chapter Eleven- Kissa Corporate Bankruptcy ka’ is tale of ambitions, love, betrayal, desires. In VVS’s relation with Ambica one can see Karma paying back. Like his two previous titles, Amit is in no mood of portraying woman as a weaker sex. Rajeshwari, Ambica, Baiji and Chaitali all of these woman characters don’t beg your pity. Coming from different strata of life, they have their own desires and powers. This is the best factor I love about Amit’s works. His woman character is strong yet tender. The concept of marriage seems futile once again from point of view of Amit.

The novel is quite interesting but like me if you have been student of humanities then some part of novel would seem like alien to you. Yet Amit has tried his best in simplifying these technological terms and has provided glossary so one won’t need dictionary. Awesome work by Amit. Waiting to read the next one.

My overall rating for this work is 4/5.

[Meghant Parmar · Rating 4 out of 5]

The corporate drama, the bankruptcy factor and the whole mystery behind it and lots of thrill and excitement is in store for the readers.

The book largely is based on bankruptcy issues and how one's life goes for a toss after it. Lots of personal drama adds flavor to the story.

The book is predictable in some parts and few parts were not required.

It makes a great read as it has a different theme to it and lots of flair and fluid narration making it a compelling story.

[Anuradha Goyal · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sneak peep into the corruption in corporate world. Detailed review here: http://www.anureviews.com/chapter-ele...

[Vaibhav Solanki · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you read some life changing books back to back and think that this book would be another addition to it, then you would be totally wrong. This book is not great but it is something else. If you live your life by codes you set for yourself, if you got yourself in trouble for helping someone, if you felt stupid by treating someone with kindness and expecting the same in return, if you made a world around someone and it crashed and burned, if you were cheated, if you are ambitious and work in private sector, if you can spare couple of hours from your life, if you fall under any of the above categories, you should read this book.

A quick read, have its up and downs and narrated in a very enticing way.