Tom Alter Dies at 67: Shaktimaan’s Guru or Captain Vyom’s Boss, Roles Only ’90s Kids Will Remember

The news of Tom Alter’s death shared by his son, Jamie came no less than a heartbreak – especially for the ‘90s kids who grew up watching the ‘blue-eyed white actor’.

Tom Alter is no more with us. The Indian actor of American descent passed away on September 29 at his Mumbai residence. Tom was 67 at the time of his death. He was diagnosed with Stage IV skin cancer earlier this month. The news of Tom Alter’s death shared by his son, Jamie came no less than a heartbreak – especially for the ‘90s kids who grew up watching the ‘blue-eyed white actor’. For us, the 90s bunch, Tom was the Mahaguru of Shaktimaan, India’s most celebrated superhero. He helped Shaktimaan played by actor Mukesh Khanna gain and hone superpowers. Not just Shaktimaan, Tom was also the boss and Vishwapramukh in Milind Soman-starrer Captain Vyom in India’s most followed and earliest live-action superhero science fiction TV series. It breaks our hearts to believe that Tom is dead. Today, we take a look at those roles of Tom Alter that will always remain in memories of all the ‘90s kids. Tom Alter Death: Mahesh Bhatt, Sonam Kapoor, Nimrat Kaur Pay Tribute To The Late Padmashri Awardee.

Tom Alter as Mahaguru in Shaktimaan (1997)

Long before kids fell in love with Albus Dumbledore’s snowy white long locks and beard, we had Mahaguru donning a similar look. Tom played the role of Mahaguru in hit Indian superhero TV series, Shaktimaan (original run from 1997-2005). He essayed the character of a powerful sage and sported the long white hair and beard while wearing a vermillion red robe, adorned with rudraksha all over the body and white teeka on the forehead. As Mahaguru, he helped Mukesh Khanna’s character Shaktimaan aka Pandit Gangadhar Vidyadhar Mayadhar Omkaar Naath Shastri realize his superpowers. He helped him the first Indian superhero every time he was down and out against the evil forces. With Mahaguru, there could have been no Shaktimaan.

Tom Alter as Vishwapramukh in Captain Vyom (1997)

If he played the role of a person who followed an ascetic life in Shaktimaan, Tom took over the role of a powerful world leader in Captain Vyom, which also aired in 1997. The highly successful sci-fi TV series set in the dystopian year of 2123, Tom was seen as Vishwapramukh – the World President and boss of Indian superhero, Captain Vyom played by Milind Soman. He assigned tasks to Captain Vyom, his most trusted soldier to maintain peace and order in the solar system. Wearing a perfectly-fitted cobalt blue bodysuit with red and yellow stripes, Tom sported a clean-shaven look.

Tom Alter as Don Keshav Kalsi in Junoon (1994)

If you thought Tom played the role of nice and righteous roles, you must remember his gorgeous portrayal of the sadistic mob lord Keshav Kalsi in 1994 TV series, Junoon. In the role of the Don Keshav Kalsi aka KK, Tom was vicious and so believable. Junoon, which aired on Doordarshan, Junoon ran for five years setting a record for the then longest running programme (510 episodes) on Doordarshan’s prime time.

Be it playing Dr Dang’s henchman in 1886’s Dilip Kumar-starring blockbuster film Karma or the kind doctor in Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Veer-Zaara in 2004, Tom breathed life in supporting roles. We miss you, Tom Alter. You will continue to live on in our memories. RIP Tom Alter.