Latest news with #TomAlter
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Working alongside Tom Alter was a profound learning experience, says Kunal Sharma
Kunal Sharma with J Brandon Hill and the late Tom Alter Actor Kunal Sharma , known for his work in Saas Bahu Aur Flamingo, Rahasya, Ugram, and Kanguva, was recently seen in the MMA-based sports drama Maqam, where he shared screen space with the late Tom Alter . The veteran actor, who passed away in 2017 after battling skin cancer, played a pivotal role as the coach of the protagonist. Honouring his legacy, the makers thoughtfully reworked the narrative to preserve the essence of his character. Kunal shares, 'Tom Alter's passing was a huge emotional and creative setback for the team. Since his role was central to the storyline, the shoot had to be paused. Then the pandemic caused further delays. But the makers approached the situation with great care and respect, revisiting the script in a way that allowed us to move forward while still honouring his presence in the film.' Talking about the experience of working with Tom, Kunal said, 'Working alongside him was a profound learning experience. His gaze conveyed depth, emotion, and authenticity, teaching me the power of subtlety in acting.' He added, 'On set, Tom created an atmosphere of warmth and camaraderie. His humility, discipline, and passion for the craft were evident in every interaction. He treated every role with the same dedication, whether it was a grand character or a subtle one.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No Distractions. Just Solitaire Play Solitaire Download Undo Remembering their first meeting on the Kolkata set, he revealed that they had enriching discussions on acting and also shared a compliment that Tom gave him. He said, 'Tom emphasised that 'an actor's eyes are the window to their soul'. Immediately after that, he said, 'Barkhurdar, you have very deep eyes'. That compliment filled me with immense joy.' Kunal also mentioned that Tom was very happy with the name of the film, Maqam, as he had a profound appreciation for Hindi and Urdu literature. He confessed that Tom's demise had a great impact on the cast and crew of the movie and added, 'Memories of working with him will stay with me for a lifetime. His legacy continues to inspire, reminding us that true artistry lies in the subtleties — the unspoken moments that speak volumes. '
India.com
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Meet IAS officer, worked for UN, left job to enter Bollywood, won National Award but..., he is...
We all have grown up listening to the success stories of individuals who managed to crack the UPSC exam while working full-time jobs or running their own businesses. But in this article, we bring you the story of an individual who, after years of relentless hard work and dedication, became an IAS officer, but soon left the post to follow his true passion. Notably, this IAS officer has even worked as a UN official, but then decided to leave his civil servant job for his goal. His name is… A law graduate from Osmania University, Papa Rao Biyyala is an IAS officer of the 1982 batch. He was on track to complete his Ph.D. but set that goal aside after successfully clearing the civil services examination. He held key positions across various regions of the country over the course of his distinguished three-decade administrative career. Speaking of his work experience, Papa Rao Biyyala served and took important responsibilities as the Home Secretary of Assam between 1994 and 1997. Later, in 1999, he was appointed as a Civil Affairs Officer in Kosovo under the United Nations Mission. From 2014 to 2019, he worked as a Policy Advisor to the government of Telangana, a position which was equal to the rank of a cabinet minister. Despite spending decades in the administrative corridors of power, Papa Rao Biyyala always carried the soul of an artist within him, quietly waiting for the right moment to emerge. That moment arrived in the late 1990s, when a close friend, the celebrated actor and theatre icon Tom Alter, introduced him to renowned filmmaker Jahnu Barua, whose work had already earned both national and international acclaim. That meeting would mark the beginning of Papa Rao's cinematic journey. Fueled by his passion, he went on to pursue a diploma in filmmaking from the New York Film Academy in 1996. His debut short documentary, Willing to Sacrifice, not only reflected his deep concern for the environment but also earned him the National Award for Best Non-Feature Film on Environmental Conservation. Though Papa Rao Biyyala returned to the administrative services after his early foray into filmmaking, the creative fire within him never truly faded. It continued to grow quietly, waiting for the right time to take center stage. That moment came in 2020, when he took a bold step—resigning from the Sports Authority of India and bidding farewell to his long and illustrious career in governance. He chose, instead, to fully immerse himself in the world of cinema.
