Veteran actor Om Puri has passed away early on Friday morning after a massive heart attack at the age of 66. He was found dead on this morning at his Mumbai residence. Om Puri’s close friend and filmmaker Ashoke Pandit first confirmed the news on Twitter.
Last evening, after a shoot he returned home and his door bell went unanswered. Then his driver raised an alarm. His body was taken to Cooper hospital for post-mortem. Actor Shabana Azmi informed, “OM Puri undergoing postmortem at Cooper Hospital. Will be taken to Trishul around 3pm Funeral at Oshiwara electric crematorium around 6pm.”
OM Puri undergoing postmortem at Cooper Hospital.Will be taken to Trishul around 3pm Funeral at Oshiwara electric crematorium around 6pm
— Azmi Shabana (@AzmiShabana) January 6, 2017
The actor was born on 18th October, 1950. His acting not only made him popular in Indian cinema but also Pakistani, Hollywood and British movies. He studied at the Film and Television Institute of India and at the National School of Drama.
He received the fourth highest civilian award of India, Padma Shri in 1990. The actor made his film debut with a Marathi film, ‘Ghashiram Kotwal’ in 1976. Puri did films like ‘Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron’, ‘Mirch Masala’, ‘Aakrosh’, ‘Arohan’, ‘Ardh Satya’ etc.
He was recently seen in the movies like ‘Ghayal Once Again’, ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’. He was praised for his memorable role in Steven Spielberg’s 2014 American comedy drama ‘The Hundred-Foot Journey’ opposite Helen Mirren.
His role will remain memorable in Hollywood movies like ‘Gandhi’, ‘City of Joy’ and ‘The Reluctant Fundamentalist’.
Puri received National Film Award for Best Actor for Arohan and Ardh Satya in 1981 and 1983. He got Grand Prix Special des Amériques Montréal World Film Festival for exceptional contribution to the cinematographic art in 1998. In 2004, British Film Industry honoured him with Honorary Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to The British Film Industry.
His demise shocked the Bollywood industry. Mahesh Bhatt tweeted, “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?”
PM Modi and Bollywood celebs paid their condolences in twitter after his death
The Prime Minister condoles the passing away of actor Om Puri & recalls his long career in theatre & films.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) 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
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
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
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
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
