Despite being one of the finest actors in Indian cinema, TV, and theatre, Tom Alter mostly remains underrated, underutilised, and typecast in films. A down-to-earth and humble Tom was an intellectual, a thinking artist, but in a subtle way. Perhaps his most important work was immortalising “Maulana Azaad” on stage, which will remain a treasure for theatre lovers and students for centuries.
Tom Alter was an Indian of American descent. I am emphasising the Indian part because that’s what he likes to be called, and that too without any element of surprise. He always hated the question “How can you speak such beautiful Urdu or Hindi?” and confronted people by asking how they could speak the language. I am an Indian; I was born and brought up in north India. Hindi/Urdu is my first language. How can people forget that? just because I am a bit fair in colour?
Early Life
Tom Alter was born on June 22, 1950, in Mussoorie, Uttar Pradesh (now in Uttarakhand). Alter was the son of American Presbyterian missionaries of English, Scottish, and Swiss German ancestry. His family history goes back to the mid-1920s, when his grandparents came and settled in Madras from Ohio, USA. They later moved to Lahore; his father was born in Sialkot. After partition, his parents chose to live in India while his grandparents remained in Pakistan.
Alter studied at Mussoorie’s Woodstock School before joining Yale University in the United States for a brief time. However, his heart remained in India, leading him to return and eventually work as a teacher in Jagadhri, Haryana.
It was the Hindi film “Aradhana” that ignited Alter’s passion for acting, prompting him to enrol at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune.
Tom Alter On Screen
After graduating in 1974, he moved to Mumbai, where he got his first break in the Dev Anand starrer “Saheb Bahadur” in 1977, but Charas (1976), directed by Ramanand Sagar, was released first. It was followed by films like “Mrig Trishna,” “Laila Majnu,” “Des Pardes,” “Ram Bharose,” “Hum Kisise Kum Nahin,” “Junoon,” “Parvarish,” and “Kranti.”
This marked the beginning of a prolific career that spanned over four decades, during which Alter appeared in more than 300 films. Despite his obvious acting talent, Alter almost never gets the roles he desires and is repeatedly given the similar roles of the villain’s white henchman.
Some of the notable films in which he appeared were Gandhi (1982), Vidhaata (1982), The Last Tiger (1983), Nastik (1983), Arpan (1983), Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985), Shart (1986), Sultanat (1986), Karma (1986), Palay Khan (1986), Commando (1988), Khoon Bhari Maang (1988), Sone Pe Suhaaga (1988), Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro (1989), Tridev (1989), Parinda (1989), Tahalka (1992), Gumrah (1993), and many more.
Tom Alter On TV
Tom made his TV debut with Idhar Udhar (1986), followed by Shyam Benegal’s “Bharat Ek Khoj (1988).” He played Lord Wellesley in the epic “The Sword of Tipu Sultan (1990)” and Lord Robert Clive in “The Great Maratha (1994).” He also had memorable roles such as Charles Spencers in “Zabaan Sambhalke (1993),” Keshav Kalsi in “Junoon (1993),” Harry in “Betaal Pachisi (1997),” Vishwapramukh in “Captain Vyom (1998),” Mahaguru in “Shaktiman (1998),” and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad in “Samvidhan (2014).”
In 1994, he played the role of Lord Mountbatten in Ketan Mehta’s “Sardar,” followed by Mark Sahib in “Adajya (1996),” Gen. Dyer in “Shaheed Uddham Singh (2000),” Abul Kalam Azad in “Loknayak (2004),” Doctor Yusuf in “Veer Zaara (2004), Father Mathew in “The Hangman (2005),” Dr. Shepherd in “Bheja Fry (2008),” “M Cream (2014),” “Honour Killing (2015),” “Life Flows On (2016),” “Sargoshiyan (2017),” “Redrum (2018),” “The Black Cat,” and many more.
Tom Alter The Theatre Legend
In 1977, he, along with Naseeruddin Shah and Benjamin Gilani, formed the theatre group Motley Productions. Their debut play, Samuel Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot,” premiered at the Prithvi Theatre in Bombay on July 29, 1979. Over the years, he appeared in numerous plays, including an adaptation of Vaikom Muhammad Basheer’s “My Grandad Had an Elephant,” performed on June 7, 2011. Additionally, he collaborated with New Delhi’s theatre group, Pierrot’s Troupe, showcasing his versatile talent and dedication to the theatre.
Maulana
A two-and-a-half-hour-long solo play performed in Urdu, where Alter portrayed Maulana Azad, a prominent freedom fighter and scholar. His portrayal was lauded for its depth and nuance, capturing the essence of a pivotal figure in India’s struggle for independence.
Babur ke Aulaad
In play Alter took on a historical narrative, delving into the lineage of the Mughal Emperor Babur. His performance was celebrated for its authenticity and helped bring a significant part of Indian history to the stage.
Lal Qile ka Aakhri Mushaira
It saw Alter in a play that revolved around the last poetry symposium at the Red Fort, offering a glimpse into the cultural richness of the Mughal era. Alter’s command over Urdu poetry and his stage presence made this performance a memorable one.
Ghalib Ke Khat
A play centred around the legendary Urdu and Persian poet Mirza Ghalib, had Alter bring to life the letters penned by Ghalib. His performance was a tribute to the literary giant and showcased Alter’s versatility in handling literary material.
Trisanga
A play that dealt with the complexities of relationships and societal norms. Alter’s role in the play was critical in exploring these themes, and his performance was both moving and thought-provoking.
Teesveen Shatabdi
Written by the influential playwright Badal Sircar, “Teesveen Shatabdi,” was a scathing look at the nuclear attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Alter’s performance in this play was a powerful commentary on the horrors of war and the human condition.
Copenhagen
Tom Alter portrayed Niels Bohr in the play “Copenhagen” as a man torn between his scientific ambitions and the potential consequences of his work.
He also played celebrated poet Sahir Ludhianvi in the play “Parchaiyyan” and was part of the theatrical reproduction of William Dalrymple’s “City of Djinns.”
Other Work
Alter was also a man of letters, contributing to the literary world with his writing and journalism. He authored books such as ‘The Best in the World’, ‘Rerun at Rialto’, and ‘The Longest Race’. His love for sports also found an outlet in his work as a sports journalist, writing for Sportsweek, Outlook, Cricket Talk, Sunday Observer, Firstpost, Citizen, and Debonair.
In recognition of his contributions to the arts and cinema, the Government of India honoured Tom Alter with the Padma Shri in 2008.
Personal Life
Tom Alter married Carol Evans in 1977; together, they have two children: son Jamie and daughter Afshaan. His son is also a cricket journalist and is famous for his satirical videos on his channel, “Fake It India.”
Alter’s life came to a close on September 29, 2017, after a valiant battle with skin cancer. He left behind a legacy that transcends cultural barriers, embodying the spirit of an artist who truly loved his craft. His work continues to inspire actors and audiences alike, reminding us of art’s power to unite and uplift.
Tom Alter on IMDB
