Ismail Merchant was one of the ambassadors for the American India Foundation, whose mission is to bring about social and economic change in India.

Anjali Sharma, AIF's director for marketing, New York, recalls the time Merchant served as the gala chair in 2004.

"He was generous with his time and energy," she said. "He reached out to a lot of people that he knew � celebrities and others. He truly believed in our cause."

And at an event on the west coast, Merchant donned his chef's hat and cooked for attendees. The AIF organized several of Merchant's book readings across the country. President Bill Clinton [Images] launched his film, The Mystic Masseur, at a benefit for the foundation.

"He had a great sense of humor," Sharma added. "He was so down to earth despite all the fame.

"We just saw him some weeks ago, and he looked wonderful," she said. "He was a dear, dear friend of the foundation. We'll miss him terribly."