Mumbai: Acclaimed Indian actor Om Puri, well-known for his role in hit movie Gandhi, died aged 66 after suffering a heart attack Friday, reports said.
The Press Trust of India said Puri had died of a heart attack at his residence in Mumbai, the home of Bollywood.
Puri made his film debut in a Marathi-language movie Ghashiram Kotwal in the mid 1970s before going on to star in a number of major Hindi hits as well as, controversially, in some Pakistani movies.
Here's our last interview with Om Puri
He also appeared in a number of British films, most notably Richard Attenborough’s 1982 epic on the life of India’s independence movement leader Mahatma Gandhi, My Son the Fanatic, East Is East and The Parole Officer.
His other English language cinema credits include Charlie Wilson’s War, City of Joy, Wolf, The Ghost and the Darkness.
Puri starred opposite legendary British actress Helen Mirren in the 2014 film The Hundred Foot Journey.
Some of his most notable Indian films include Bhavni Bhavai, Sandgate, Ardh Satya, Mirch Masala, Dharavi, Aakrosh, Maachis, Yuva, Don, Agneepath and Bajrangi Bhaijaan.
He was awarded the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award of India, for his services to the film industry.
Tributes poured in from the world of Bollywood as actors and directors woke to the news of his death.
“Sad & shocked to know that versatile actor Om Puri jee has expired due to heart attack early morning today. #RIP,” wrote his close friend and director Ashoke Pandit on Twitter.
“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,” tweeted actor Anupam Kher.
I have known #OmPuri for d last 43yrs. For me he’ll always b a great actor, a kind & generous man. And that is how world shud remember him. — Anupam Kher (@AnupamPkher) January 6, 2017
“The Prime Minister condoles the passing away of actor Om Puri & recalls his long career in theatre & films,” read a tweet on Indian leader Narendra Modi’s official Twitter account.
The Prime Minister condoles the passing away of actor Om Puri & recalls his long career in theatre & films. — PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 6, 2017
Born in Ambala, Haryana, in a Punjabi family, Puri graduated from the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune. He was also an alumnus of the 1973 class of National School of Drama, where Naseeruddin Shah was a co-student.
“We have lost very brilliant and talented actor it’s very big lost of our country and film industry rest and peace.@OmRajeshPuri,” tweeted Shah.
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