The Padma Shri award winner actor Om Puri has died at 66. The versatile actor, who took our country’s name to American and British film industry died of heart attack at his home in Mumbai.
Om Puri was born in Ambala, Haryana to a Punjabi family. He made his entry to the film industry in 1976 through a Marathi film Ghashiram Kotwal.
Om Puri was a character actor, who bagged National Award for the best actor in 1981 and 1983 for his performance in the films Aakrosh and Ardh Satya. Also, our country had honored him with Padma Shri for his unparalleled contribution to the world of cinema.
Apart from this, he had won Honorary Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to The British Film Industry in 2004 and Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award for the films like Ghayal, Maachis, Gupt, Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha in 1990, 1997, 1998 and 1999 respectively. He also got BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for East Is East in 1999.
His sudden demise came as a shockwave. Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted his condolences. Many prominent personalities including Anupam Kher, Karan Johar, Madhur Bhandarkar and Sujit Sarkar expressed their grief.
Solid actor….Solid filmography….immense talent…. #RIPOmPuri ….cinema has truly lost a brilliant artist….
— Karan Johar (@karanjohar) 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
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
RIP Om puri .. interactions with you were always full of life.. you were one of the finest artist we are proud of..
— Shoojit Sircar (@ShoojitSircar) 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
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
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
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