Happy Days for a Theatre Family

Hotels. Hospitals. Factories. Shops. Offices. Godowns.
I have done all and didn’t think that there were many surprises left till a theatre-owner approached me a year ago.
Located at a distance of nearly 100 KMs from Mumbai, this theatre had remained with the family for generations. It was a matter of pride for Raj (name changed on request) to talk about his family tree that included links with Kapoors, Bachchans and Mukherjees.
“We have been losing money for years. The problem has become acute in the recent months as my son has diversified into hotels and needs money to grow. Against the wishes of family elders he did a Degree is Hotel Management and Catering Technology from Mumbai. At the moment he is working in a five star hotel. My uncle was against the very idea. He wanted my son to make films. It was difficult but I supported my son going against my uncle. My uncle is my late father’s unmarried elder brother. We are facing tension on many fronts. For instance, my daughter is keen to become an actress. This may seem like an irony but my uncle is against the very idea. He says he knows what happens to girls in the industry. I have no problem about my daughter becoming an actress, either. What I cannot handle is the fact that everyone is pulling in different direction and I am in the middle. Can Feng Shui help me?” Asked Raj Manjrekar (name changed).
It certainly seemed a tough situation. I visited the theatre and their ancestral house.
Manjrekars had lived in the same house for four generations. The theatre too has remained the same except for the unavoidable changes like replacing the old seats and occasional coats of paint.
Since the Feng Shui had been the same, did the family face similar situation in the past? I was curious, and the old man came with the answers.
“This conflict between the elders of the family and the younger generation is not new in our family. It has always happened. I decided not to get married over such a disagreement. The causes of disharmony and fights have been: career & marriage.”
I looked closely at the house. A decorative Fireplace, made of red decorative bricks, in the career corner and water in marriage corner – among several other Feng Shui flaws – seemed the main Feng Shui cause for their problems. Career corner’s ruling element is water. Earth destroys Water and Fire clashes with it! Similarly, Marriage sector is ruled by Earth. Wood ruins it and water harms it further. This may seem a very simple explanation. But the corrections worked wonders.
Manjrekars remained in touch with me through out the year.
Things that followed during 2003-2004, till date, show the role Feng Shui played in their life.
The old man mellowed,changed his stance and agreed to sell a part of the family land to finance a hotel project for his nephew.
He also agreed to an agreement with a builder. As the builder wanted the theatre building has been demolished and a shopper’s paradise, a sort of mall, is being constructed. There will also be a theatre in the premises. Also, hopefully, a hotel that will be run by the son. Manjrekars have also been given a lump sum that runs into several lakhs. [Note: For those in Mumbai and Delhi – where even a 3 bedroom flat often costs a crore - lakhs from property may seem peanuts but this theatre is in a town!]
The daughter who wanted to be an actress fell in love and got married to the boy of her choice. She abandoned her starry ambitions willingly. The old man is very happy, “Feng Shui ne hamare khandaan ke izzat bachaali.” (Feng Shui saved the prestige of our family. Women in our families have never worked in films and this will never happen.)
The way things moved seems a natural progression and yet, it is a fact that the entire family was disturbed a year ago. Now, it is one happy joint family and happily they give credit to Feng Shui.