Introduction :
His striking eyes draw you closer to him. So does his ability to lay before you a sumptuous spread.

Career :
In a career spanning three and half decades, Merchant has made some 40 feature films. many of them collaborating with his pal, director James Ivory, and writer Ruth Prawer jhabvala. The actors who have featured in his film include vanessa Redgrave, Isabelle Adjani,Christopher Reeve and Emma Thompson.They crave to work with him knowing full well that he will pay them a little more than his attention.

Milestones :
Some of the best Merchant-Ivory offering are adaptation of E.M.Foster's "Room with a view of Kazuo" Ishiguro's "Remains of the day" besides Roseland and "Heat and dust".H is latest venture Cotton Mary filmed in India is due for release.

Review of life :
The Mumbai-born Merchant,65,entertains even when not making a movei. All he needs is few friends, and a copy of his Passionate Meals: The New Indian Cuisine For Fearless Cooks and Adventurous Eaters.