Puri was 66.
Veteran Indian actor and Padma Shri awardee, Om Puri passed away in Mumbai on Friday morning leaving a vacuum in Indian film industry.
According to reports, Om Puri was found dead in his home early in the morning by his driver. His death is believed to have been caused by cardiac arrest.
Om Puri was a propounder of the new wave in Hindi and Marathi film industry, who have always tried to maintain a balance between art films and commercial movies. Puri has also acted in a number of serials that talked about social issues.
The veteran actor had received two national awards for Best Actor and is also the recipient of an honorary OBE for his contribution to British film industry in 2004.
He has also appeared in a handful of Hollywood movies, including in Richard Attenborough’s Gandhi in which he played the role of a firebrand youth who appears towards the end of the movie throwing a gun at Mahatma Gandhi and asking him to “eat it”.
Regarded as one of the most versatile and celebrated actors in India, Puri made his film debut in 1976 with the Marathi film ‘Ghashiram Kotwal’.
Om Puri will be always remembered for his iconic roles in films like “Ardh Satya”, “Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron” and “Paar”.
Puri also played a memorable role in Stephen Spielberg’s 2014 comedy drama ‘The Hundred-Foot Journey’ opposite to Helen Mirren.
Om Puri was born in Ambala, Haryana. His father worked in the railways and in the Indian Army.
Puri graduated from the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune and also studied at National School of Drama along with Naseeruddin Shah.
Puri was married to Nandita Puri and the couple have a son named Ishaan but marriage ended in a divorce in 2013.
The 66-year-old actor returned home last evening after a shoot and reportedly his door bell went unanswered, following which his driver raised an alarm.
Social Media Update
https://twitter.com/karanjohar/status/817216496615256064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
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
https://twitter.com/ShoojitSircar/status/817216040283226113?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
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
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