A Leadership Thriller from Inside India’s Biggest Theme Park Turnaround
Mumbai, Dec 3: In an enthralling real-life saga as dramatic as its name, Rollercoaster of Hope, co-authored by Dhimant Bakshi and Mayuresh Kore, the CEO and CFO of Imagicaaworld Entertainment Ltd. respectively, offers an unvarnished insider account of how one of India’s most loved theme parks defied bankruptcy, a pandemic and relentless market skepticism to stage a corporate comeback.
Crafted like a business thriller but rooted in real boardrooms, tense lender negotiations, nail-biting court hearings, and silent rides awaiting maintenance budgets, the book presents a rare and gritty playbook on value creation amid crisis. From shutting park gates at the peak of COVID-19, to keeping rollercoasters ready for unlock at a day’s notice, and from negotiating with lenders to resurrecting valuations, Rollercoaster of Hope reveals how two professionals chose belief over exit, and turned the impossible around.
“This is not a story of optimism, but of 1% hope acted upon every single day.” Dhimant and Mayuresh
A FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND TURNAROUND PLAYBOOK IN INDIA INC;
Unlike most corporate narratives that begin after the victory, Rollercoaster of Hope starts in the darkest hours
● A listed company on the brink of bankruptcy
● A hostile debt ecosystem and aggressive court timelines
● An NCLT battle seen in full public view
● Zero cash flows during pandemic shutdowns
The authors narrate, with candour and humour, the pressures of running a “promoter-owned, professionally-driven” enterprise in distress; navigating personalities, policies, lenders, litigation and public scrutiny. The book uncovers uncomfortable truths of the Indian corporate crisis management system, while also spotlighting powerful principles of resilience, clean governance, asset protection and transparent stakeholder negotiations.
Far from being technical, the prose is laced with wit, real anecdotes, cinematic twists and leadership lessons that apply to every entrepreneur, banker, executive and dreamer.
WHAT INDUSTRY LEADERS ARE SAYING
“A fabulous example of ownership… not by shareholding but by owning the situation.” B.S. Nagesh, Founder, TRRAIN
“As thrilling as their rides… a story with as many ups and downs as the park itself.” Mangalam Maloo, Senior Business Journalist
“A gripping masterclass in evaluating distressed assets.” Vinay Paharia, CIO, PGIM India MF
“One of the best-written turnaround stories in India.” Saurabh Mukherjea, Marcellus Investment Managers