Would Like To Play Nehru or Jinnah: Tom Alter

Working with one of the finest filmmakers did influence Alter, as he firmly believes in what Ray had said in his convocation day speech.

"I make films for myself. Fortunately, some other people also like them," Ray had said.

The 63-year-old stayed away from the conventional path and razzmatazz of Bollywood. He nurtured his creative dimensions and branched out into theatre, writing and television.

In a career spanning over three decades he has worked in over 300 movies, written three books, is an active theatre actor and as a keen observer of sports, has contributed to various magazines and newspapers.

But nothing is tiresome for the multi-faceted actor.

"We all can do it. We all used to do so much in school. I was into so many things - editing the school magazine, playing sports and a bit of studies," said Alter whose green eyes and fair skin have labeled him a "gora" or "firang".

"I am an Indian. My family lineage may be different, but I was born here. I hold an Indian passport. I don't need to prove my credentials to anyone," Alter asserted to IANS.

Alter wants to finish his two pending books: a novel on theatre and another on a poet. But his work commitments are not giving him much time.

He has directed a serial for DD Urdu, "Ek Fursat-e-Gunah". Set during the partition of the sub-continent in 1947, the story is about the coming together of three friends.

"I was born post-Partition so I haven't seen much. But my family has been through that, so in some ways the loss and pain of meeting does evoke many emotions," Alter said.

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