Tom Alter excels in Urdu solo 'Maulana Azad'

Bhopal, Dec 8 (UNI) Eminent actor Tom Alter believes that changing times have altered the nature of human tendencies such as violence and betrayal and as a direct consequence teleseries centred on the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship have a different portrayal of it.

''Even earlier, deformed mentalities existed in society but restraint and caution were exercised while depicting them through films and theatre,'' Alter, who was here to play the role of freedom-fighter Maulana Abul Kalam Azad in the Urdu solo 'Maulana Azad' at the multi-art centre Bharat Bhavan here, told UNI.

The play was part of a week-long theatre fest entitled 'Adi Vidrohi' themed on India's struggle for freedom.

In a stupendous performance, Alter led the spectators through a roughly 150-minute history lesson that covered key persons and crucial subjects such as Gandhi, Nehru, Vallabhbhai Patel and Partition. The monologue was peppered with some amazing couplets.

''There was a time when serials such as 'Hum Log' and 'Buniyaad' were immensely popular but probably the present demand is for the type of series being telecast,'' the actor said in an oblique reference to the heights of violence, hatred and vengeance in present-day serials.

Responding to a query, Alter felt that literature was no longer impacting on the cine world but the recent Sanjay Dutt-starrer 'Lage Raho Munnabhai' was simply a class apart.

''The stage is still powerful and people still like watching theatre,'' said the actor who has been associated with Hindi and English drama for decades.

Despite being of American origin, the Mussoorie-born Alter said that he was proficient in Hindi and Urdu on account of being an Indian.

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