Letter from Ismail Merchant, Mumbai, India, to James Ivory, New York, New York, [1964] May 6 : typescript signed.

Acknowledging receipt of Ivory's letter dated May 1st, and admitting it made him "angry and disappointed" because Ivory will not be coming until the last week of May, and he is feeling terribly overwhelmed by all that is going on with "The Householder"; saying Ali Akbar Khan has "sent a solicitor's notice stopping the exhibition of the film because we have not paid him" and is making "ridiculous demands"; declaring that the Indian release is in many ways "more important than N.Y."; claiming "I alone cannot handle this"; expressing anger also that Ivory's letter said they would have another film by this time next year, when Merchant insists they should have two or three films done by then-- "I cannot see my energies and time be captivated by your fancies"; demanding "a frank and honest reply"; saying he has the funding ready to produce "The Widow" and will go ahead with it whether Ivory is on board or not; asking Ivory to get a diamond phonograph needle.