Letter from Ismail Merchant, Delhi, India, to James Ivory, Dinuba, California, 1963 December 31 : autograph manuscript signed.

Emphasizing that he and Ruth cannot advance any further with their work until Ivory comes back to India; discussing the projected budgets for future projects, and the problem of acquiring color film stock in India; insisting that Merchant Ivory needs to produce work in a timely manner for financial reasons; debating with Ruth over whether Ivory has the "stamina" to make two films [meaning "The Widow" and what will become "Shakespeare Wallah"] back to back; telling Ivory that the published "Householder" screenplay is out today and is "all over Connaught Place," and Merchant is sending two copies "with autographs" to Ivory and his father; saying he and "Ruth and Jhab and kids" went to see Ivory's short "The Sword and the Flute" and all "enjoyed it very much"; telling Ivory he is sending him a paperback book and the budgets for "The Widow" and "the Actors film" ["Shakespeare Wallah"]; lamenting that "It is now 15 days since I am in Delhi but not one letter from you. I am very anxious to see you. Please hurry up."