(elevator door opens)
Back in childhood, grandpa would tell me a story.
Once upon a time, two brothers lived in a village.
When there was a flood in the village,
just like everyone else, the brothers also fled to save their life.
There was only one way leading out of the village.
-A long bridge. -Sir.
-Yes. I have it in my bag. -You haven't worn your ID card.
Please wear it. We have been instructed to ensure it.
But crossing the bridge at the time of flood could be dangerous.
-Not crossing the bridge was anyway dangerous. -Thank you.
I don't remember if both the brothers
crossed the bridge and saved their lives.
But the current situation in Synnotech reminded me of that story.
In a way, Synnotech is the village
and acquisition by PIC is the flood approaching it.
In order to get to the other side safely,
we must cross the bridge.
-Piyush, did you read this? -No.
(telephone ringing)
Dear Employee, A lot of speculation is circulating but
we'd like to inform you that we will be implementing some
compliance processes over the next few days.
Feel free to get in touch with me if there is any clarification you need.
What kind of gaslighting is this?
By now, everyone has understood that the acquisition will happen.
-And we celebrated too early. -Not we.
-You were the most excited one. -Hey.
Piyush, the entire Glide Air fiasco,
we are not at fault for this. You have
to make sure we are not made scapegoats for this.
Yes. Don't worry about it, guys. I mean I have already spoken to Vikram, plus...
I mean he knows we have put in a lot of hard work.
Pal, listen. It is time
to take advantage of your equation with Vikram.
Go and ask him
-what this compliance is and what shocks we can expect. -Yes.
Please look around.
Everyone is scampering like headless chickens.
I'll talk to him.
You are our last hope amidst this chaos.
(smirks)
-Okay. -Go.
-Who? -Talk now.
-Please, pal. -Sure.
-We'll wait for you. -They are struggling.
The team is at it. Still, all of this would take
at least a month.
You can't take a month to do an internal audit. It's not possible.
(door creaks and opens)
My resources can't be engaged in this compliance thing. They have work to do.
-Fine, sir. Let me revise and mail it. -Okay.
Yes, Piyush.
The atmosphere in the office feels different.
In fact, I just got the email.
A company needs to cross some stages for the acquisition.
-So, it's official? -No, it's not official.
This is being done to make it official.
Actually, the email triggered anxiety in the team.
So, I thought I'd get clarity from you.
The communication hasn't been conveyed as yet.
But let me give you a heads-up.
There will be an employee assessment test
which even the team leads should appear for.
-It's important. -Important in what sense?
Important in the sense that if Synnotech has to get acquired,
we have to put our best foot forward.
And in all of this chaos, Piyush, you are one of the team leads I can rely on.
Do expect some friction and major changes as well.
What I want from you is to be objective through the whole process.
Any drastic changes, Vikram?
It depends on your perspective.
From the management's POV, there is nothing drastic.
To ensure effective and efficient functioning
of the team, we'll have to manage their anxiety.
Fair point.
See, Piyush, what's important is that you need to be smart through this.
How you keep yourself immune to this chaos is what is important.
I hope you understand what I mean.
-Yeah. Thank you. -All right.
I sought clarity but received anxiety instead.
Vikram said it is not drastic from the POV of management.
(footsteps)
But I don't understand what impact it will have on employees.
I think telling the team about the test right away and adding to their anxiety
-is not a good idea. -Piyush.
-What did Vikram say? -It's normal compliance.
-Normal? -It happens in every company.
I've been working in this company much before you joined.
I've never seen anything like this before.
(keyboard clatter)
So, was Vikram explaining to you for so long that everything is normal?
I am telling you whatever Vikram said.
(footsteps)
(keyboard clatter)
Guys, please co-operate. I'll handle it.
Okay.
Vikram hinted at the fact
that I could possibly be retained.
But in order to protect my team
from this torrent, should I cross the bridge?
I have no idea.
Sunaina.
In the last two months, I have taken five half-days.
Will that count as a leave of 2.5 days or 3 days?
Why don't you ask Supriya?
She replies angrily if we ask her anything nowadays.
Yes, pal. The HR guys need some serious anger management classes.
(chuckles)
-Actually... -You people are not taking this compliance audit seriously.
Why?
Don't take this process lightly.
Do you know? The activity history of every employee is being checked.
FYI, Shetty, clearing browsing history won't delete metadata. You know that.
You are here again. To add fuel to the fire.
Do you think this is a joke? This is nothing. There's more to come.
Let me give you some insider information.
The company will be releasing a new employee handbook.
PIC has modelled it on its guidelines.
-Do you know what will happen once it is enforced? -What will happen?
What?
Massacre!
(groans)
Hey!
Everyone will face it. You, you, you and you.
Everyone will face it.
So, enjoy. Enjoy your time.
-Is he okay? -Guys.
Did anyone visit any restricted websites or download anything from there?
Of course not, Piyush. Don't be silly.
The word restricted basically means we do not have access to it.
But we do have a VPN.
What did you access via VPN?
I had searched for apartments.
Will it get flagged during compliance?
Pal, I browsed through mutual funds.
Everyone does that. Right, Sunaina?
No. I don't do that.
Neha? Oh God. Tell us if you have browsed anything else.
I visited a dating app just once.
But I swear I did it just once.
Just once.
When do you people get time for all this?
Anyway, I don't think this will be a big issue.
But both of you better pray
that the search history of others is way more scandalous than that of yours.
(chair creaking)
Dating app, Neha? Seriously?
(notifications beep)
Employee... What's this now? Shetty.
It says the employment skills will be assessed.
On the basis of it, the future course will be decided. What?
-Exactly. -What is this?
-Here. -Pal.
-Pal, what's this? It appears more of a threat than a test. -Yes.
Hey. No, guys. It is just a simple test.
Basically, they will align your personal skills with the project. That's all.
Piyush, that sounds like some nonsense from management.
-It happens at the time of joining. -I had gone through it.
Exactly. They are putting us through a test just before the appraisal.
Yes. This is my first appraisal.
No. Don't worry about it. This test won't affect your appraisals.
It must be mentioned in the mail that it won't affect.
Neither does it say that the test is for aligning individual skills.
Piyush, this is very serious.
-Please talk to Vikram and get clarity on this. -Shetty, I am sorry
I can't bother Vikram for trivial issues.
Piyush, this is nothing trivial. (sighs)
-You know what? Let's go and talk to him. -Come.
-Yes, come on. -Guys.
Why are you guys not trusting me? I am telling you.
This will have no effect on your appraisals. Trust me.
Really? How are you so sure of that?
It's because Vikram never said the test would affect the appraisals.
Hey. Hang on. Did Vikram mention the test to you?
Yes. But he did not say that it will
have any effect. In fact, it is not mentioned in the mail. You have read it.
-It won't affect appraisals. -You didn't think it was necessary to inform us?
Guys, I am sorry. You people were already quite tense.
On top of it, I did not want to break the news and create a panic situation.
Right. So, there's no panic after revealing it at the last minute.
Like none of us are panicked anymore. What...
-What else have you hidden, pal? -Why are you people reacting like this?
Everyone got the mail.
Everyone has to appear for the test. Even team leads have to give it.
Not an issue for you as you are a team lead.
Vikram trusts you.
You must have struck a deal, earned immunity
and now you tell us not to panic.
One second. What do you mean I struck a deal?
Do you think I have secret dealings with Vikram?
I didn't think so till now but now I do.
Shetty.
Piyush, just... Please tell us if there's anything more
-because we... -Guys. It is a simple test.
And now, start thinking from the company's perspective.
Synnotech has to put its best foot forward for the acquisition to happen.
Okay? And stop cribbing about your personal problems. Get back to work now.
Yes.
Okay. I guess everybody, get back to work.
In grandpa's story, the two brothers might have tried to cross the bridge
but when they were halfway through, the floods
would have developed powerful currents and the bridge collapsed.
Neither is it an option to step back nor move further.
I need this smell of cottage cheese.
-Great. -Guys, are the timings of the test flexible?
They said we could take it up at our convenience.
I suggest all of us book a slot together.
No. One second. I don't want to be the sacrificial lamb here.
Someone has to go first.
No. No. Don't look at me. No.
-Sunaina, you are the smartest among us. -Correct.
Once you clear it, tell us how to prepare for it.
-Isn't it simple? Okay? -Guys.
I have an idea. I was thinking since test timings are flexible.
-Let us book the same slots... -'Sheera'. Mom made it.
-'Sheera'. Here. -What do you think?
-You should also take it. It's good. -Listen.
Limited time offer. Blue pill or Red pill. Choose one.
Nobody gets my metaphors.
Come to my den if you wish to get your browsing history deleted.
I'll delete even the metadata.
-Never fall for whatever Angad says. -Yeah.
-Before we realise, he may add more data. -Pal.
Shetty.
-Come on. -Neha.
We'll get it done.
Something is wrong with Angad. Why is he being so helpful?
Perfect. Angad is a genius.
Lesson learnt.
-Always browse mutual funds on your phone. -And dating apps as well.
-Well, at least the compliance is sorted. -Yes.
Guys, I am forwarding to Supriya all the reports of our financial year.
If anyone wants to get anything changed...
You may submit whatever. How does it matter now?
Everything is uncertain. What about the test?
Well, let's discuss it on the group.
-I'll call you tonight. -Okay.
-Shetty. -Bye, pal.
(footsteps)
What happened, bro? What's with the shrugged shoulders?
Why do I feel that anxiety in the company
has trickled down to your team? Is it?
(sighs)
Thanks for compliance.
But please don't add to my anxiety.
Are you panicking because of the test?
But you are under Vikram's protection.
You must have gotten immunity. Right?
What's the use of this immunity if my team is not safe?
I have a hack for it. Interested?
Sometimes, you see, the system is unfair. Besides, in this acquisition,
there's nothing much we employees can do.
But who is at the receiving end of it? The employees.
I believe one must do unfair to balance unfair.
-I can get you the assessment test papers if you want them. -You...
Have you lost it?
Compliances are being enforced and you talk about leaking test papers.
I just asked. You may refuse if you don't want them.
Simple.
Tell me if you have another solution.
I mean I don't want to be involved in your fraud.
There's only one solution.
If you wish to help your team out of this chaos...
Tell me... When there is a war,
where does a commander stand?
-At the front. -Yes.
Who is the commander of your team?
(inspiring music)
I don't remember how exactly the story grandpa told me
came to an end.
But according to me, this is how it should have ended.
Only one of the two brothers knew how to swim.
But none of them would give up on the other.
That leaves only one solution on the table.
One who knows swimming should carry his brother on his shoulders
and swim across the stormy river
so that both can survive together.
-And that is what I am going to do. -Hi.
-Hi. -The office is usually empty at this time. Are you working late?
Yeah. I had to take an assessment test. I thought I'd get done with it quickly.
I thought I would be the first person to do it.
(smirks)
I have also booked a slot for this hour.
Okay? Do you like working late in the office?
No, actually, I like not getting stuck in traffic.
Smart. Okay.
(vehicle honking)
If you want, we can appear for the test together.
I mean you can log in to any of these systems and...
Unless, of course, you prefer privacy which is understandable.
Everybody should prefer privacy.
I don't mind.
Unless you don't feel challenged to appear for a test alongside me.
Well, it's better to feel challenged than lonely.
You appear to be a people's person.
Yes, I mean... People's person can be lonely.
-Cool. May I? -Yeah. Sure.
Best of luck.
(birds chirping)
(door creaks and opens)
What new shock do you want to give us here that you couldn't in the cubicles?
One second.
(keyboard clatter)
(exhales)
For your eyes only.
I have written down all the questions I could remember, section-wise.
Go through it once.
How do you know this?
Actually, I appeared for the test last night.
And I feel my team should go prepared.
Fantastic, pal. That is so helpful.
Exactly. You have put an end to my anxiety.
-I was planning to skip the test. -Neha.
Thank you for doing this.
Don't... Guys, I did this for myself
because I realised that my anxiety
is directly proportional to my team's anxiety.
(smirks)
Somebody is getting nicer.
(clatters)
Let's see.
After so many uncertainties and chaos,
I realised that the compliance and assessment test
is like a journey on a bridge.
A bridge we did not want to cross.
But when we finally opened our eyes on the other side,
we saw that, together, we had nothing to fear at all.
Your ID card.
All the best, Angad. It was a pleasure working with you.
Really.
(paper rustles)
What happened, Angad?
Something that was inevitable.
Till now I was feeling like an outsider. Now, I have become one for real.
But I'll remember.
You were the first person from Synnotech
who invited me to his house party. So...
Thank you for that.
Actually, you invited me for your selfish gain but still, thank you.
I won't forget
that you created the feel of Goa in this very office.
So, we are even now.
Best of luck, guys.
-Goodbye, pal. -All the best, bro.
Did this happen with Angad because he was
trying to get others to bypass the compliance?
Looks like, after Glide Air,
Angad is the second casualty of this acquisition.
I wonder who will go next.
(telephone ringing)
(email notifications beep)
Who is this? ihopeyouknowwho@mail.com.
This is the same employee handbook that Angad had mentioned.
-The one he referred to as a massacre. -This is very intense.
(suspenseful music)
And the crisis is not over yet.
There are more bridges to cross.