The cinematic endeavors of this esteemed individual were largely captured on film during a quarter-century span, where he collaborated closely with Indian producer Ismail Merchant and German writer Ruth Prawer Jhabvala.
During this period, his initial films were all set against the vibrant backdrop of India, heavily influenced by the distinctive style of renowned Indian filmmaker Satyajit Ray and French cinematic master Jean Renoir.
As his career progressed, he went on to direct three stories in the bustling metropolis of New York, before devoting his creative energies to adapting the works of English literary giants, thereby catapulting him to international acclaim.
Notable examples of this era include "The Europeans" (1979),an adaptation of Henry James' masterpiece, as well as "The Bostonians" (1984),"Jane Austen in Manhattan" (1980),a unique retelling of Jane Austen's classic, "Quartet" (1981),a rendition of Jean Rhys' novel, and "A Room with a View" (1985) and "Maurice" (1987),both inspired by the works of E.M. Forster.