Ismail Merchant Biography

Fast Facts

• Received the Padma Bhushan, the highest civilian award in the Republic of India, in 2002
• Served as a member of the jury for the 55th Venice International Film Festival
• Received honorary degrees from Bard College, New York and Wesleyan College, University of Illinois
• Studied at St․ Xavier's College in India and New York University
• Served as a messenger for the United Nations, using his position to raise funds for his film projects from Indian delegates
• Known for collaborating with director James Ivory and screenwriter Ruth Prawer Jhabvala as a part of Merchant Ivory Productions
• His involvement with Merchant Ivory Productions earned him a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for longest partnership in independent cinema
• Was a mentor to actor and producer Kai Wong after he wrote a literary article