Hello everyone,

First off, I’d like to thank everyone for their support to help bring ‘A Warrior’s Religion’ to a theatre in Vancouver.  Without you, we would not have been able to do more screenings in Metro Vancouver.

Everything was on track for the screenings to take place; the theatre was booked & paid for, the projector/screen were tested, advertising was in process, and tickets were selling.  However, we did not know that working with Raja Cinema would turn out to be a nightmare.On Tuesday May 26th, 2 days before the first Vancouver screening, we had booked an appointment with Raja Cinema to test out our dvd with their dvd player.  We also brought out own dvd player as a backup.  Though the projector/screen were already tested, I, wanting the screenings to happen without a hitch, decided to test out their dvd system.  Needless to say, but their dvd system had not been properly setup or maintained.  After 2 of their techs tried to make the system work, they were unable with their own equipment or mine.  They decided to call the owner of Raja Cinema, Shafik Rajani, who also happens to be the owner of Wescana Pharmacy LTD.  The techs (1 of which was working tirelessly to resolve the issue, the other was utterly useless) advised the owner that due to their own equipment issues, they would be unable to show my film.  Not only was their dvd player an issue, but their projector bulb was on the fritz and was fairly dim.  Shafik Rajani, a supposed knowledgeable business person advised the tech to tell me that if I don’t show my film that I will lose my deposit and incur further costs.

Now, I am not sure what was going through his head, apparently very little common sense, but how is it my fault if their equipment is not working properly, their projector bulb is dimming (and mind you they don’t keep a spare in stock), and they are no longer able to accommodate me?  Why should I lose my deposit?  Furthermore, should he not be the one responsible for all the advertising costs that I am to incur if I have to cancel the screenings?

After further discussion and talks with Shafik, I advised him to give me back my money or I will pursue this matter further, in his arrogance he somehow took this as a threat and told me to ‘go fuck a monkey’.  I kindly advised him I am not leaving without my money.

45 minutes later, he decides to come down to the theatre and deal with this matter physically, after a few feeble attempts on his part to intimidate me with his obesity, he had the epiphany that it is his fault and that he should return my deposit.

Though I lost money on advertising, I was grateful I was able to garner my deposit back from a crooked business person.

This just goes to show you that no matter what good you are trying to do for the world, there are people out there that only care about making their next dollar.  And for Shafik Rajani, $ signs is all he sees.

For poor business practices, visit a Wescana Pharmacy or a Raja Cinema near you.

Best,

mani