Bollywood

Veteran Actor Om Puri Dies Of Heart Attack At 66, Bollywood Mourns His Demise

Darpan News Desk , 05 Jan, 2017 08:54 PM

Veteran Indian actor Om Puri died on Friday morning of a heart attack at his residence here, a family friend said. He was 66.

Puri returned home last evening after a shoot. Reportedly his door bell went unanswered on Friday morning, following which his driver raised an alarm.

The Padma Shri awardee, studied at the Film and Television Institute of India and at the National School of Drama. Born on October 18, 1950, hailing from Ambala in Haryana, Om Puri made his film debut in 1976 with the Marathi film Ghashiram Kotwal. A critically acclaimed actor, Puri featured in films like Ardh Satya and Mirch Masala.

Born in Ambala, Haryana, to a Railway officer, Om Puri studied at the Film and Television Institute of India in Pune. He was also an alumnus of the 1973 class of the National School of Drama, where Naseeruddin Shah was a fellow student.

Om Puri acted in both mainstream and art films in Bollywood.

He also appeared in British films like Jewel in the Crown and City of Joy.

Puri was awarded an honorary OBE for his contribution to the British film industry in 2004.

Om Puri, along with Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi and Smita Patil, were among the critically-acclaimed actors who thrived in what was then referred to as art cinema, defining films like Bhavni Bhavai (1980), Sadgati (1981), Ardh Satya (1982), Mirch Masala (1986) and Dharavi (1992).

He also played a cameo in Richard Attenborough's "Gandhi". In the 1990s, he ventured into popular Hindi cinema.

Over the years, Om Puri also made a name for himself in American and British productions. He appeared in Hollywood films like City of Joy (1992), opposite Patrick Swayze; Wolf (1994) with Jack Nicholson; and The Ghost and the Darkness (1996) opposite Val Kilmer. He played General Zia-ul-Haq in Charlie Wilson's War, which stars Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted his condolences. Among those who expressed grief are Anupam Kher - his co-star of many films - Karan Johar, Madhur Bhandarkar and Sujit Sarkar.

Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri, who was going to direct the actor in his new movie, told IANS over phone: "It is a very sad news. Om Puriji passed away after a heart attack today morning. He was at his home."

"His body of work in the Indian film industry has been tremendous across the commercial and parallel genres. We've lost a great talent."

Actor Anupam Kher, a close friend of Om Puri, said he had spoken to him just two days ago, and the disheartening news of his demise was broken to him by filmmaker Ashoke Pandit.

Kher described Om Puri as a "kind and generous" person, who spent four decades in showbiz with an undying passion towards his craft.

Sad to hear about the passing away of the very talented Om Puri, my co-actor in many films...heartfelt condolences to the family. #RIP
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) January 6, 2017

Solid actor....Solid filmography....immense talent.... #RIPOmPuri ....cinema has truly lost a brilliant artist....
— Karan Johar (@karanjohar) January 6, 2017

Seeing him lying on his bed looking so calm can’t believe that one of our greatest actors #OmPuri is no more. Deeply saddened & shocked.
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPkher) January 6, 2017

So long Omji. Prided myself on being his friend peer & admirer. Who dare say my Om Puri is no more ? He lives through his work.
— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) January 6, 2017

Goodbye Om! A part of me goes with you today. How can I ever forget those passionate nights we spent together talking about cinema & life ?
— Mahesh Bhatt (@MaheshNBhatt) January 6, 2017

It's a sad day for cinema ... we just lost one of our greats... gone but will never be forgotten ... #RIPOmPuri Saab ...
— Neha Dhupia (@NehaDhupia) January 6, 2017

RIP Om Puri.
We have lost one of our finest.
A talent, A Voice, A Spirit.
Will miss you Puri Saab.
— Boman Irani (@bomanirani) January 6, 2017

Shocked to know that the immensely talented actor #OmPuri passed away. Big loss to our film industry. RIP 🙏
— Madhur Bhandarkar (@imbhandarkar) January 6, 2017

Omji... I will miss that warm tight hug that you gave me every morning on set. Khudahafiz sir... you were the best!
— Kabir Khan (@kabirkhankk) January 6, 2017

Watch Some of His unforgettable Performances:

Tamas:

Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron:

Maachis:

Ardh Satya:

Khuda Haafiz:

Maqbool:

Narsimha:

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