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Indian
Talent
 Ismail
Merchant
Ismail
Merchant entered the Hollywood scene as early as 1960. His very
first venture, The Creation of Woman, bagged a nomination for
the Academy Award.
It
is interesting to note how Merchant Ivory Productions came together.
On his way back from the Cannes Film Festival Merchant met James
Ivory. They struck a deal and two formed Merchant Ivory Productions.
Once
Merchant returned to India he set about producing movies. He handled
the production half MIP partnership and James Ivory handled the
direction. Columbia Pictures distributed their very first dual
effort, "TheHouseholder". This was followed by Shakespearewallah"
in 1966, "The Guru" in 1969 and "Bombay Talkie"
in 1970.
Merchant
also proved to be an able director. He directed "Mahatma
and the Mad Boy", and then came "The Courtesans of Bombay"
as a full length TV production for the BBC.
His
string of successful movies under the MIP banner includes "Cotton
Mary", "The Golden Bowl"
Today's
moviegoers have changed drastically as opposed to three decades
ago. Naturally, expectations change, so movie making has undergone
radical changes along the way. Merchant has adapted with time,
to appeal their contemporary moviegoers.
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