The foreign face of Bollywood

Friend Indeed

He was anxious that the spotlight not be shifted to him as “I’m here for her, an old friend from the film institute,’’ he emphasises.

After being duly reassured, the silver-haired actor, writer and sport enthusiast talked with barely concealed excitement of his soon to be released film, moving easily between impeccable English and Hindi. The film in question was Ocean of an old man, impending release of which he had just received the news.

“I had actually given up wondering when it would see the light of theatres in the country, since it was shot a couple of years ago. I was very involved with the project and the whole film means a great deal to me on a very personal level. On my flight to Bangalore, I was delighted to read that it will be released in a couple of weeks,” he says emotionally. From starring in low budget films like Bheja Fry to cameo roles in Satyajit Ray’s Shatranj Ke Khiladi, from playing stereotyped English characters in Bollywood to donning Indian roles specially created for him on the big and small screen, Tom earned his stripes as a highly respected thespian and was duly awarded the Padma Shri for his distinguished contribution to the field of art.

“I really hope people get to see the movie Ocean and an old man. It is a visual narrative based on the terrible effects of the tsunami and the impact it has on an ageing teacher, an Englishman (played by me) living with his wife and child in the Andamans.”

“The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have a strong connect with the British Raj and there are still a few teachers from the old school left, that's why my character is not out of place. The film deals with the devastation wrought by the tsunami on a small closely knit happy family and the aftermath of the tragedy at many different levels. It affects the ones left behind and it alters life for the community at large in so many unfathomable ways,” he explains. What else is he involved with? “Many projects from writing to acting,” he avers.

“Life is full of excitement and challenge and I am indeed fortunate to be so busy and involved. Although I’m only on a brief overnight visit to Bangalore I hope to come back soon. Well, maybe if the film is released and I’m needed for some promotional work, I will,” he smiles and signs off.