Caption: One day

Akbar (happy): Ustaad Gyaani, you've turned my hunting trip into a financial adventure!

Ustaad (humble): Maharaj, I humbly wish to share my experience and wisdom.

Visual: Tent background, show Akbar sitting on a make-shift diwan, Ustaad Gyaani is bowing to him.

Courtier (curious): Ustaadji, should I invest in the spice trade?

Ustaad (serious): Hmm… there is no future in spices, my friend.

Visual: Ustaad is looking intently at a few coloured pebbles that he has arranged on a piece of white cloth, one on a small table at the centre of the tent. His fingers are placed near his temple, like he is focussing on the ‘energy’ of the pebbles to interpret some mystical fortune.

Akbar (surprised): Really?! But I heard it brings us a fortune.

Ustaad (serious): Maharaj, my mystic pebbles don’t lie. It’d be wise to put your money in ‘Cattle Funds’ or ‘Iron-for-life.’

Visual: Ustaad is pointing towards his pebbles and speaking in a determined manner.

Ustaad (polite): In fact, if you allow me, I’d be honoured to invest your money. At no extra charge!

Courtier (happy): Thank you, Ustaadji. I wish we could’ve met you sooner.

Visual: Ustaad is spreading a couple on scrolls, on top of his pebbles, like he is about to enter the details of the interested courtiers. Courtier is taking a small money pouch from the side of his robe.

Ustaad (convincing): It is never too late to secure your finances.

Birbal (thinking - suspicious): Magical tips and tricks... sounds more like a scam rather than a scheme.

Visual: 2-3 courtiers are standing near Ustaad to give their investment money. We can see small money pouches in her hands. Ustaad is placing one of the pouches in his bag. Birbal is looking at this scene.

Birbal (casual): Ustaadji, from which school did you receive your financial education?

Ustaad (proud): Mantriji, the mystics have blessed me with a divine foresight, which enables me to flawlessly predict profits and loss.

Visual: Ustaad is holding his hands in a prayer pose, with eyes closed… like he is thankful to the ‘Mystics’ for blessing him.

Birbal (sceptical): A rare talent indeed! However, I’ve never seen you at the Finance Ministry meetings.

Ustaad (flustered): Oh, I’m more of a freelance counsellor than an official member.

Visual: Ustaad is quickly keeping all the money pouches in his bag. We can see his scrolls too are now in his bag. Birbal is closely examining one of the mystical pebbles.

Birbal (confronting): So, you neither have the qualification nor the official status to give financial advice.

Ustaad (insulted): Mantriji, I’m a wizard with numbers! Ask me anything… go on!

Visual: Birbal is looking seriously at Ustaad, hands crossed. Ustaad is placing the pebbles in a pattern again, like he is preparing to ‘divine’ the answer to what Birbal might ask.

SFX: Thwack

Birbal (casual): Well, can you tell me how many mosquitoes are in this forest?

Ustaad (agitated): What nonsensical question is this?!

Visual: Birbal is swatting a mosquito that was on his hand (refer SFX).

Akbar (casual): No one can answer that, Birbal… let alone Ustaad Gyaani.

Birbal: Respectfully, Maharaj, I can tell you the exact number, if you give me 100 gold coins.

Visual: Akbar is eating a fruit and reacting casually to Birbal’s question. Birbal is bowing politely to Akbar.

Akbar (intrigued): Here, take this. Now tell me.

Birbal (casual): There are 87,56,943 mosquitoes in this forest.

Visual: Akbar is handing a money bag to Birbal.

Ustaad (smirking): Hah! You are just bluffing.

Birbal (casual): Very well. The soldiers can catch the mosquitoes and take a count. Then we’ll know whether I’m right or wrong.

Visual: Birbal is securing the pouch with the 100 coins to his waist.

Akbar (mildly annoyed): Ridiculous! It’ll take weeks, or months to even attempt this impossible task.

Birbal (casual): But by then, I’d have already made my ‘escape’ with your coins...

Visual: Akbar is now sitting upright, mildly annoyed at Birbal’s impossible suggestion. Birbal is casually pointing to the well-secured money pouch at his waist.

Birbal: ...just like Ustaad Gyaani has planned! By the time you realize that his suggestions are misleading, he’d have vanished with all your money.

Courtier 1 (shocked realization): Oh, we were foolish to blindly trust him!

Visual: Birbal is pointing towards Ustaad’s money stuffed bag. Ustaad is panicking that Birbal has exposed his plan. Courtier (from 1.2) is looking at the Ustaad, he is shocked.

Footnote: Like Ustaadji, many scamsters offer financial advice online, without proper qualification, license or registration, thereby steering investors towards misleading or fraudulent schemes. Remember to always verify the credentials of the person before trusting their advice. ‘Slam the Scam’ by being alert and aware!

Akbar (serious): Hand over this swindling idiot to the dungeon master at once!

Ustaad (panicking): {Ulp}

Visual: Akbar is ordering his guards to arrest Ustaad. One guard moving towards Ustaad.

Guard (sarcastic): Ustaadji, would you prefer a prison cell with bedbugs or mosquitoes?

Birbal (winking): Perhaps his pebbles can predict the right one for him.

Visual: Guard has tied Ustaad’s hands behind him. Birbal is casually juggling with the colourful pebbles.

Activity

You have been approached by three investment advisors to assist you with a financial plan. However, only one of them is trustworthy and will be able to ensure a scam-free transaction.

Can you guess which one?

Advisor 1: Mr Piyush

• Claims to be a manager at a leading investment firm
• Promises to share SEBI registration details later
• Promotes exciting schemes available only for a “limited period”
• Uses urgency and pressure so you don’t miss the offer

Advisor 2: Ms Suman Sharma

• Works as a financial advisor in your locality
• Claims to have 20 years of experience but is not SEBI registered
• Promotes schemes not listed on any official website
• Uses excessive praise and promises to win your trust

Advisor 3: Ramu Kaka

• Works in an investment advisory firm
• Shares ID card and SEBI registration details upfront
• Discusses your personal and financial goals clearly
• Does not offer unrealistic returns or guarantees

Answer

Ramu Kaka is the trustworthy advisor.

Authentic advisors always share relevant information openly, such as registration details, and do not make unrealistic promises or create pressure to act quickly.