Letter from Ismail Merchant, Delhi, India, to James Ivory, Dinuba, California, 1963 December 29 : autograph manuscript & typescript signed.

Saying he sent a letter this morning explaining everything concerning the Indian distribution deal for "The Householders" with Columbia and the Indian Government; acknowleging receipt of Ivory's telegram that day and admitting that when he and Jhab read it, it made them angry; claiming there is no more time for negotiation and it is up to Ivory to finish the matter with Columbia in New York; asking for a hard date when Merchant Ivory will begin their next production, because he needs money-- to pay bills, rent, and for his sister's wedding; saying if Ivory cannot start by March 1964 he will have to take Kariwala's offer of a commercial film; saying Ruth also received a letter from Ivory this morning, without "a word about Ruth's outline [for "Shakespeare Wallah"] instead a lecture on Saeed and M"; begging Ivory to "Please understand and stop fooling around"; expressing frustration with Ivory and demanding that he give them both the answers they need; signing off, "Kindly reply immediately. At the moment I do not miss you as I am angry with you-- It would be hypocritical to say I do."