Jackie Shroff pays tribute to Mehmood, Tom Alter on their anniversaries
Synopsis
On a date that carries a double significance for Indian film history, Jackie Shroff paid tribute to both Mehmood — born on 29 September 1932 — and Tom Alter, who died on the same date in 2017. The dual remembrance is a reminder of two careers that stretched across film, television, and theatre, and shaped Hindi cinema across very different registers.
Key Takeaways
Jackie Shroff shared tributes to Mehmood and Tom Alter on 29 September , marking their respective birth and death anniversaries.
Mehmood , born 29 September 1932 , appeared in over 300 Hindi films across more than four decades as an actor, singer, director, and producer.
Mehmood's son, singer Lucky Ali , is widely known for hits including 'O Sanam' .
Tom Alter passed away on 29 September 2017 at age 67 after battling stage IV skin cancer; he was awarded the Padma Shri in 2008 .
Alter co-founded theatre group Motley Productions with Naseeruddin Shah and Benjamin Gilani , debuting with Waiting for Godot at Prithvi Theatre in 1979 .
Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff on Tuesday, 29 September paid heartfelt tributes to two giants of Indian cinema — legendary actor-comedian Mehmood, on his birth anniversary, and veteran actor Tom Alter, on the eighth anniversary of his passing. Both posts, shared on social media, drew warm responses from fans and film enthusiasts.
Remembering Mehmood: 300 Films, One Irreplaceable Voice
Shroff shared a series of black-and-white photographs capturing Mehmood across different phases of his career, accompanied by the caption: 'Remembering Mehmood ji on his birth anniversary.' The post was paired with the song 'Muthu Kodi Kawari Hada' — originally from the 1973 film Do Phool — sung by Asha Bhosle and Mehmood.
Born on 29 September 1932, Mehmood worked for more than four decades and appeared in over 300 Hindi films. Beyond acting, he was also a singer, director, and producer — a rare multi-hyphenate in the industry's golden era. His filmography included blockbusters such as Padosan, Gumnaam, Bhoot Bungla, Pyar Kiye Jaa, Kunwara Baap, and Main Sunder Hoon. He is also remembered as the father of singer Lucky Ali, who carved his own legacy in Indian music with hits like 'O Sanam'.
Tom Alter: A Padma Shri Performer Across Three Mediums
Alongside the Mehmood tribute, Shroff posted a portrait of Tom Alter, noting his dates: '22 June 1950 – 29 Sept 2017.' Alter passed away on 29 September 2017 at the age of 67 after battling stage IV skin cancer in Mumbai.
One of Indian cinema's most distinctive performers, Alter made his film debut with Saheb Bahadur, though technically Charas was his first released film. He went on to appear in celebrated titles including Des Pardes, Kranti, Amar Akbar Anthony, Shatranj Ke Khilari, Naukri, and Kudrat.
Stage, Screen and Television: Alter's Enduring Legacy
Alter was equally prominent on the small screen, becoming widely recognised through television shows such as Junoon and Shaktimaan, as well as appearances in Ssshhhh… Koi Hai. His creative ambitions extended beyond film and television — alongside Naseeruddin Shah and Benjamin Gilani, he co-founded the theatre group Motley Productions. Their inaugural production was Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot, staged at Mumbai's Prithvi Theatre in 1979. In 2008, Alter was awarded the Padma Shri for his contribution to the arts.
Jackie Shroff's Tribute in Context
Shroff's dual tribute underscores a pattern of the veteran actor using social media to honour colleagues and mentors from cinema's formative decades. Notably, 29 September marks both Mehmood's birth anniversary and the death anniversary of Tom Alter — a poignant coincidence that makes the date significant for Indian film history. As fewer contemporaries of that generation remain active, such remembrances serve as important public record of their contributions to Hindi cinema, theatre, and television.
Point of View
Despite appearing in over 300 films and being one of Hindi cinema's most versatile performers, rarely receives the kind of retrospective attention his contemporaries in 'serious' drama do. Tom Alter's case is different: a Western-born artist who chose India, mastered Hindi and Urdu, and moved seamlessly between Bollywood, Doordarshan, and proscenium theatre — a career that still has no clear parallel. The fact that both anniversaries fall on the same date is coincidence; that both men remain underrepresented in organised film heritage efforts is not.
NationPress
29 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Jackie Shroff post tributes on 29 September?
29 September marks both the birth anniversary of comedian-actor Mehmood, born in 1932, and the death anniversary of veteran actor Tom Alter, who passed away on 29 September 2017. Shroff shared separate social media posts honouring both figures on the same day.
Who was Mehmood and what is he known for?
Mehmood was a legendary Hindi film actor-comedian, singer, director, and producer who appeared in over 300 films across more than four decades. He is best remembered for his roles in Padosan, Gumnaam, Bhoot Bungla, and Pyar Kiye Jaa, and is also the father of singer Lucky Ali.
Who was Tom Alter and how did he die?
Tom Alter was a Padma Shri-winning actor known for his work in Hindi films, television, and theatre. He passed away on 29 September 2017 in Mumbai at the age of 67 after battling stage IV skin cancer.
What was Tom Alter's contribution to Indian theatre?
Tom Alter co-founded the theatre group Motley Productions along with Naseeruddin Shah and Benjamin Gilani. Their first production was Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot, staged at Mumbai's Prithvi Theatre in 1979, and the group became a significant force in Indian theatre.
What song did Jackie Shroff share in his tribute to Mehmood?
Shroff accompanied his tribute with the song 'Muthu Kodi Kawari Hada', originally from the 1973 film Do Phool, sung by Asha Bhosle and Mehmood.
