Letter from Ismail Merchant, Mumbai, India, to James Ivory, New York, New York, [1964 April 10] : typescript signed.

Responding cautiously to a copy of Ivory's cable sent by Jhab and updating Ivory on the latest on the Columbia debacle over "The Householder," involving MIP sending letters to the MPEAA and Mr. Adarkar of the Finance Ministry; expressing confusion over a complaint in Ivory's most recent letter; discussing issues in the outline of "Shakespeare Wallah," in particular whether Sanju should be a film star or not, and pointing out that Ruth agrees with him that he should not; asking for a definite date when Ivory will return; enclosing a copy of his letter to Vivien Leigh [see MA 23840.127a] and "an inquiry which has come from the IMPA" [not present]; annoyed that there is no news of a revival of "The Householder" in New York; saying all the major company managers in India support them in their conflict with Columbia; asking again about the photographs from Leo Lerman, saying they will need to revive the publicity campaign for "The Householder" once the Columbia problem is solved; saying Shashi is willing to spend some money for publicity, and the Bhavnagars are interested in helping to finance the actors film ["Shakespeare Wallah"]; saying that since the MPEAA representatives are out of the country presently, he can do nothing until they return, but then "we will proceed with full force."