You know a successfully content person when you see one. Recently, I have been seeing Farhan Furniturewala at many social events. The man always looks happy and relaxed, even though he may have had a past which could have left many shaken.
Farhan recently re-launched “Furniturewala FW” his spanking new store in Worli. “Furniturewala” is not only his surname, he genuinely loves furniture. “I am like a great housewife, who loves a good looking home,” he laughingly told me once.
At the opening, I met his two children Aliya (13) and Omar (11). Both were present to share the big day with him. “Pooja would have been there too, but she is currently out of town,” he said.
“When you end something on a good note, it pays you in the long run. You have to be sensitive about those who are important to you if you want peace in the future. Pooja is an extremely positive person,” he told me. I couldn’t agree less.
These days, it is increasingly common to see two exes become friends, but it is indeed rare to see a good camaraderie between the two families like I see in Farhan and Pooja’s.
I met Farhan and his wife Laila at actor Kabir Bedi’s (Pooja’s father) party, where he was being felicitated by the Italian Ambassador. The couple came together and I did not sense any awkwardness in either of their attitudes towards the Bedis. “I am extremely comfortable with Kabir. Protima (Pooja’s mother) was a dear friend and a great influence on me. I shared an independent relationship with her and continue to do so with Kabir,” Farhan said. “That’s the reason why the children are growing up normally without the stress of a broken family,” he said happily.
The most important aspect is the attitude of his wife Laila. “She keeps me grounded and takes on responsibility happily,” he said, while speaking about his wife. The man has no regrets whatsoever about his life. “Follow your heart, when you know something is right. People can sometimes influence you and make you do something your heart does not want to do,” he said. “Nine out of 10 decisions you make will be good if it comes from the heart. One that does not becomes a learning experience,” he shrugged.
And the future? “I want to put up a chain of good quality furniture stores.” And a baby? “Absolutely, we look forward to planning one and adding another member to our family” he smiled.