The respected actor passed away at the age of 67 on Friday, 29 September.
From Mahesh Bhatt to Harsha Bhogle, cinema and cricket mourn Tom Alter's passing
Mumbai - 30 Sep 2017 14:00 IST
Updated : 14:08 IST
Shriram Iyengar
Tom Alter's passing due to skin cancer on Friday, 29 September, has left a void that affects both Indian cinema and cricket. While he was known for his versatility as an actor, Alter was also a passionate cricket fan, who wrote and followed cricket with great interest. One of his earliest claims to fame was interviewing a then 15-year-old Sachin Tendulkar.
Naturally, his passing has left a number of people on both sides very sad.
Director Mahesh Bhatt, who worked with Alter in the 1990s hit, Aashiqui (1990) wrote 'Goodbye to you my trusted friend!'
Goodbye to you my trusted friend! ðÂÂÂðÂÂÂðÂÂÂ! Actor Tom Alter, a Padma Shri awardee, dies of cancer at 67https://t.co/DkJkHZImO8
— Mahesh Bhatt (@MaheshNBhatt) September 30, 2017
Director Kunal Kohli also mourned the loss, praising Alter as a 'distinct voice' in cinema.
#TomAlter So much goodness. Warmth. Friendly. Attracts & exudes positivity & peace. a distinct voice. #RIPTomAlter last of the gentlemen ?
— kunal kohli (@kunalkohli) September 30, 2017
Actor Anil Kapoor, and his nephew Arjun Kapoor also mourned the death. While Anil remembered Alter as his 'teacher', Arjun reminisced watching him play out a bumbling Englishman on the comedy television series, Zabaan Sambhal Ke.
An all rounder is what he was, with a heart of gold. Back in the day, I even studied acting under him. You will be missed dearly #TomAlter pic.twitter.com/VagrwVLDr4
— Anil Kapoor (@AnilKapoor) September 30, 2017
RIP Tom Alter...have the fondest childhood memories of seeing him on zabaan sambhal ke... https://t.co/Cvb1zq2OuP
— Arjun Kapoor (@arjunk26) September 30, 2017
Lunchbox actress Nimrat Kaur called the actor 'a thorough gentleman', while Huma Qureshi reminisced about having the opportunity of meeting him.
Waking up to some tragic news about the passing away of Mr. Tom Alter. A one of a kind, grace personified, thorough gentleman. #RIPTomAlter
— Nimrat Kaur (@NimratOfficial) September 30, 2017
So sad to hear about Tom Alter sir.. had the honour of knowing him while doing a play in Delhi .. such a lovely human being. Rest in Peace.
— Huma Qureshi (@humasqureshi) September 30, 2017
It was not just members of the film industry who were disturbed by this news. Noted historian and cricket lover Ramchandra Guha remembered his interaction with a young Alter representing Mussoorie in a cricket tournament in 1973.
Devastated to hear of my friend Tom Alter’s death. We first met in 1973 on the cricket field, he playing for Mussoorie, me for Dehradun.
— Ramachandra Guha (@Ram_Guha) September 30, 2017
Tom Alter was a superb actor, and a gentle, good, human being. He loved our land deeply and knew it as well as any Indian-origin Indian.
— Ramachandra Guha (@Ram_Guha) September 30, 2017
Cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle wrote a moving post on Facebook, describing the actor as a 'kind patient man' with an unending love for the language of Urdu.
The world is a good man short this morning. Fine actor, pure sports lover and kind human being. You enriched our world #TomAlter
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 30, 2017
Former cricketer Akash Chopra also wrote on his Twitter, calling Tom Alter 'Wondeful actor...an even better human being.'
Heartfelt condolences to @jamie_alterTOI and family for the loss of #TomAlter
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) September 30, 2017
Wondeful actor...an even better human being. #RIP Sir ðÂÂÂ
People in this story
Tom Alter
Actor
Mahesh Bhatt
Director, Story Writer, Actor
Huma Qureshi
Actor
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