Ismail Merchant

Ismail Merchant

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Category: Cinema

Ismail Merchant Profile

  • Name:
  • Ismail Merchant
  • Born:
  • December 25, 1936
  • Died:
  • May 25, 2005
  • Father:
  • Noormohamed Haji Abdul Rehman
  • Mother:
  • Hazra

Ismail Merchant Biography

Ismail Merchant was an Indian-born film maker known for his long term association with Merchant Ivory Productions. Along with James Ivory (his longtime professional and personal partner) and Ruth Prawer Jhabvala he won 6 academic awards. He has been a successful and independent film producer in Hollywood for more than 40 years. He is known for making films in less cost comparing his contemporaries. Merchant was also well known for his "lavish private parties". He is a wonderful cook who has published a few books on cookery. Ismail Merchant's Indian Cuisine, Ismail Merchant's Florence, Ismail Merchant's Passionate Meals and Ismail Merchant's Paris: Filming and Feasting in France are his published books. He has also published a couple of books on film making - Hullabaloo in Old Jeypur and My Passage From India: A Filmmaker's Journey from Bombay to Hollywood and Beyond.

 

His real name is Ismail Noormohamed Abdul Rehman and he was born in Gujarat in the year 1936. When he was 11, he and his family were caught up in the 1947 partitioning of India. Though was a leader of Muslim league, Ismail’s father refused to go to Pakistan. As a child at the age of 9, Ismail delivered an emotionally riveting speech about India partition which attracted its spectators. Later he developed a close friendship with Nimmi, a Bollywood actress in her 20’s and she showed him the way to the glamourous world of films and entertainment.

 

While studying at St. Xavier's College, Bombay, he developed interest to movies. At the age of 22 he reached New York University, USA and earned MBA degree. In 1961, he made a short film, The Creation of Woman which was shown at prestigious Cannes festival and also received an Academy Award nomination. In 1961, Merchant and director James Ivory formed the film production company Merchant Ivory Productions. They had a professional and romantic partnership which lasted from the early 1960s until Merchant's death in 2005.

Published: N/A

Updated: February 25, 2014

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