Tom Alter diagnosed with skin cancer

One of India's finest actors is seriously ill.

One of India's finest actors is critically ill.

Tom Alter, a newspaper report said on Monday, has been diagnosed with cancer.

The 67-year-old actor is suffering from fourth stage skin cancer, his son Jamie Alter reportedly told IANS.

The son and grandson of American Presbyterian missionaries, Mussoorie-born and raised Tom Alter -- who trained at the Film and Television Institute of India -- made his Bollywood debut in the Dharmendra starrer Charas.

He worked in many films -- Shatranj Ke Khiladi, Kranti, Vidhaata, Tridev and Mangal Pandey: The Rising among others -- as well as television serials like Junoon and Zabaan Sambhal Ke.

Our prayers are with Mr Alter and his family.

We hope to see him back on screen and stage soon, wowing audiences as he always has with the power of his acting and his mellifluous voice delivering his lines in shuddh Hindi.