'One of the best producers'

Producer Bobby Bedi (Bandit Queen, Saathiya, Maqbool, The Rising) starred in the 1983 Merchant-Ivory film, Heat And Dust.

Bedi recalls his impressions of Ismail Merchant in a chat with Lata Khubchandani.

Ismail Merchant has been one of the best producers outside India. He has done consistent work over a period of time, and achieved a lot of success.

He tried his hand at direction with Muhafiz (In Custody). He did a reasonably okay job as director.

I knew him less as a person, though I visited him in London and had his fabulous meals several times.

He was sociable -- very friendly and very humourous. We shared a relationship through common friends, and because we were both producers we had that in common.

Have you met Ismail Merchant?