‘Alter’ing definitions!
PAARTH JOSHI
Even the most polite and chivalrous gentleman is likely to be piqued sometimes. And it is no different with actor Tom Alter, when one labels him an American. “I was born and brought up in Mussorie, which I think makes me an Indian,” he says. His deep attachment to Mussorie is evident in his animated delight if somebody mentions the place, as well as in his nostalgic reminisces about its schools and mithai shops.
The wonder years always contribute majorly towards an actor’s career, and Alter is no exception to this. “When I was in my early twenties, there was a huge fan following for Rajesh Khanna. I, too, always wanted to be like him,” he says. But didn’t he always get typecast in the character roles he played? The actor disagrees, adding, “Film news is to blame as much as the film industry. Stereotyping makes an easy question to ask in an interview and that’s one way how characters get framed. If you take any of my 10 movies, you will notice that I have played a variety of characters barring a few exceptions.” And true to his claim of variety, Alter is in Vadodara to read out the letters written by Gandhiji to Sarojini Naidu. “Apart from the little known facts, their letters acquaint us to the strong friendship they shared with each other.” Little known facts indeed: Gandhiji, in many of his letters to Naidu mentions himself in the sign-off as a wizard, mystic spinner, little man and even a spider!
History is open to perception but Alter is diligent enough to explain a few things to children. For instance, in his interaction with students, Alter often explains, “It isn’t necessary to give a tag to any relationship. Gandhiji and Naidu could’ve been great friends or they could’ve shared a brother-sister bond.”
A conversation with Alter is not complete without the mention of theatre. Excitedly he begins, “Theatre is really growing. Most of the last 12 plays that I acted in were written by Indian playwrights. Perhaps, we need more regional playwrights to revive theatre.” Furthermore, he mentions that today’s youth equally relates with theatre. “We read out the letters in Pune in a pub. When I saw glamourous ladies walking in, I thought they would walk out with the same style half way. But they sat through the whole reading with pin drop silence,” he happily concludes.
PAARTH JOSHI
Even the most polite and chivalrous gentleman is likely to be piqued sometimes. And it is no different with actor Tom Alter, when one labels him an American. “I was born and brought up in Mussorie, which I think makes me an Indian,” he says. His deep attachment to Mussorie is evident in his animated delight if somebody mentions the place, as well as in his nostalgic reminisces about its schools and mithai shops.
The wonder years always contribute majorly towards an actor’s career, and Alter is no exception to this. “When I was in my early twenties, there was a huge fan following for Rajesh Khanna. I, too, always wanted to be like him,” he says. But didn’t he always get typecast in the character roles he played? The actor disagrees, adding, “Film news is to blame as much as the film industry. Stereotyping makes an easy question to ask in an interview and that’s one way how characters get framed. If you take any of my 10 movies, you will notice that I have played a variety of characters barring a few exceptions.” And true to his claim of variety, Alter is in Vadodara to read out the letters written by Gandhiji to Sarojini Naidu. “Apart from the little known facts, their letters acquaint us to the strong friendship they shared with each other.” Little known facts indeed: Gandhiji, in many of his letters to Naidu mentions himself in the sign-off as a wizard, mystic spinner, little man and even a spider!
History is open to perception but Alter is diligent enough to explain a few things to children. For instance, in his interaction with students, Alter often explains, “It isn’t necessary to give a tag to any relationship. Gandhiji and Naidu could’ve been great friends or they could’ve shared a brother-sister bond.”
A conversation with Alter is not complete without the mention of theatre. Excitedly he begins, “Theatre is really growing. Most of the last 12 plays that I acted in were written by Indian playwrights. Perhaps, we need more regional playwrights to revive theatre.” Furthermore, he mentions that today’s youth equally relates with theatre. “We read out the letters in Pune in a pub. When I saw glamourous ladies walking in, I thought they would walk out with the same style half way. But they sat through the whole reading with pin drop silence,” he happily concludes.
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