Bollywood’s Veteran actor Om Puri deceased early morning on Friday, at the age of 66. He was found dead in his bed at his residence in Andheri. Filmmaker Ashok Pandit, a close friend of Puri confirmed the news by posting it on social media. He tweeted “Sad and shocked to know that versatile actor Om Puri jee has expired due to heart attack early morning today. #RIP.”
He returned home late evening from a shoot. His driver raised an alarm early morning, when the doorbell went unanswered. Speaking to Indian Express, Ashok Pandit informed “Om ji suffered from a massive heart attack in the morning today. We have just reached his residence.” He is survived by his wife Nandita and son Ishaan Puri.
Actors and colleagues from the industry have gathered at his apartment to pay their homage. People from all across the country are mourning his demise. His body was taken to Cooper hospital for postmortem, following which the funeral will take place.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid tribute to the legendary actor on Twitter. “The Prime Minister condoles the passing away of actor Om Puri and recalls his long career in theatre and films,” the official account of the PMO India tweeted.
Padma Shri awardee,Om Puri has acted in both mainstream as well as parallel cinema in Bollywood. Apart from Indian films, the actor has also contributed in Pakistani, British and Hollywood Cinema. Puri was awarded an honorary OBE for his contribution to the British film industry in 2004.
Born on October 18, 1950, the artist hailed from Ambala, Harayana. Puri graduated from the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune. He was also an alumnus of the 1973 batch of National School of Drama. He made his film debut in 1976 with the Marathi film Ghashiram Kotwal.
A critically acclaimed actor, Om has worked in several art movies like as Bhavni Bhavai (1980), Sadgati (1981), Ardh Satya (1982), Mirch Masala (1986) and Dharavi (1992), giving rise to the Parallel Cinema movement in the 70s. He has done many unconventional roles like as a victimized tribal in ‘Aakrosh’, as a police inspector in Ardh Satya, a 1982 film, where he revolts against lifelong social, cultural and political persecution and which bagged him the National Film award for Best actor. His demise has left a void in the Indian Cinema.
As the country mourns the demise of a veteran of the film industry, Wedding Affair sends forward a silent prayer, to the man who shall always stay immortal through his exceptional works, and wishes his soul rests in peace.
