Letter from Ismail Merchant, Mumbai, India, to James Ivory, New York, New York, [1963 November 27] : autograph manuscript signed.

Outlining the result of two meetings with Mr. Dutt of the Indian Ministry of Finance concerning the distribution of "The Householder" in India by Columbia Pictures as a "foreign" film, which, once Columbia agrees, will lead to the "de blocking [sic]" of Rs 4 lakhs; relating that he pointed out to Dutt that no-one in India would distribute the film, to the extent that even the Film Finance Corporation refused a loan; saying that Jhab thinks something can be worked out [see MA 23840.56], Blamey is analyzing things, and Ivory should "take it up with Columbia via Herbert Golden; explaining that India exhibitors are enthusiastic about the film, so the agreement of Columbia is paramount, and the only other alternative is to sell the Indian rights to Indian distributors, "which means begging again"; saying "Ruth is very excited" about the idea of a screenplay based on Geoffrey Kendal's writings; mentioning the issue of a trailer; hoping Ivory has finished "your Delhi film," though he understands it may be delayed by the Kennedy assassination; asking again for Merle's address; saying "Ruth and I both feel that it is high time we do something else-- From the time we started to shoot The Householder Mr. Ray has finished two films and the third one is almost done."