But amazingly, the more that opposition to Baba spread, the more his name came into prominence. The Gujarati newspaper Insaf went so far as to print an appeal to public leaders to "take drastic steps to rip to pieces the net of the corruptive and depraved trio of Meher Baba, Babajan, and Upasni Maharaj!"
During this period, the Master would sometimes visit a local theater with the mandali, but he would rarely stay until the completion of the film or play. He went for his inner work, and as soon as that work was finished — whether it was during the middle of an act or not — he would stand up in the theater and promptly depart. The mandali had no choice but to follow, abandoning their enjoyment and curiosity of how the play would end. But on 19 March, when he took the mandali to see a vernacular comedy ( "Patel Pani" ), he unexpectedly stayed until the last curtain call, much to the surprised satisfaction of the mandali.
On 24 March, Ghani returned to the Manzil at 7:30 P.M. after a six-day visit to his home in Lonavla.
He arrived late and, refusing to admit him to the building, Baba sent him this message: "Undress and then stand on one foot in your underwear at the edge of the fountain!"
Ghani did so, not knowing what was in store for him.
Some of the mandali snuck behind him and threw buckets of cold water on him! Ghani yelled loudly, "Baba, save me from this frigid dousing! I haven't disobeyed any of your orders! Help me, please!" Baba laughed heartily at his plight, pardoned Ghani for being late and finally allowed him to enter.
But the Master's good humor did not last long. The next day, for some unknown reason, Baba became furious with everyone and wanted to go away. The mandali pleaded, "If you leave, we will follow you!" Baba seemed seriously disturbed. He remained lying down in the backyard for some time and then stood for an hour in the blazing summer sun. He sent someone to fetch a victoria (horse-drawn carriage). Then he sent another for the same purpose, and then yet another. Three victorias arrived at the gate of the Manzil, and the mandali were confused about what to do. He did not go for a ride, but had the victorias paid off. Baba then climbed over the compound wall and again laid down to rest.