Idlephonse is the African house servant of Shoba and Mahesh. When Mahesh purchases his branch of Bigburger he makes Idlephonse a manager. Salim always notices how, when the couple is around, Idlephonse is bright, efficient, and eager to please, but the minute they leave he becomes uncaring and drinks on the job. Later, in light of the oncoming nationalization, Mahesh sells the business to a small company of Africans, of which Idlephonse is one, thereby reversing their roles.