Om Puri would have been 75 in October. We look back at his early years through these 16 pictures from his life.
'One is not allowed to smoke on the sets of a Hollywood film even during a break.' 'When I asked an assistant to suggest some place where I could light a cigarette, he recommended the bad boys' corner -- where Jack Nicholson smoked.' 'However, I hesitated.' 'But when I was heading back to my chair after the shot, Jack Nicholson asked me if I wanted to join him for a smoke. We had a long conversation over cups of cappuccino.'
'On the set, he was this big personality, the great Om Puri. But at home, he was like a fluffy teddy bear.'
'If it weren't for Om Puri, a whole range of our big city experiences wouldn't have found their honest representations on the screen.'
Born on June 25, 1951, Shah was a prominent figure in Indian cinema and television. His career spanned several decades, during which he earned acclaim for his comedic timing in movies such as Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, Maalamaal, Hero Hiralal, Main Hoon Na and Kal Ho Naa Ho.
Here's looking at Om Puri's career graph, through these pictures from his films.
Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar on Friday paid his tribute to Bollywood actor Om Puri, who died this morning after suffering a cardiac arrest at the age of 66. Taking to Twitter to express his grief, the master blaster said that Om Puri would always live in their hearts through the impressions he has left with his versatility. "You will live in our hearts forever through the impressions you have left with your versatility. We will miss you. RIP #OmPuri," Tendulkar wrote on Twitter.
The heroes or heroines of these film might have been Om Puri, Jennifer Kendal, Ashok Kumar. But unquestionably the real star was Calcutta. Supriya Newar on the 7 props or backdrops repeatedly used in Indian cinema that are distinctly and uniquely Kolkata.
Bollywood pays their respects to the veteran actor.
Among the finest Indian actors, voices and smiles to grace the stage and screen, Om Puri's uniqueness, always so fluid and natural, cannot be summed up in a few words, feels Sukanya Verma.
By today's standards, when the cynicism about the corrupt system is rampant, New Delhi Times seems mild. But it was upsetting enough to have problems with film distributors. Even television refused to run it. Deepa Gahlot re-introduces you to this 1986 classic.
Om Puri's friends remember him.
Despite the judicial separation, Om Puri will have unlimited access to their son Ishaan.
Om Puri's biography, Unlikely Hero, offers a glimpse into his life and movies.
Om Puri, notes Arthur J Pais/Rediff.com, has given one of the most endearing performances of his career in producers Steven Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey and director Lasse Hallstrom's new film, The Hundred-Foot Journey
Om Puri looks back at the days of shooting City Of Joy with the star, who died on Monday.
The veteran actor is presented with the British award.
'I played five different versions of Woh Subah Kabhie Toh Aayegi for Raj Kapoor, only to be greeted with a totally blank reaction.' 'Thereafter, for 40 minutes, he disappeared, leaving us baffled.' 'But when he emerged, he couldn't stop appreciating our efforts!' 'He said Sahir Ludhianvi's writing was sheer poetry and since all my five tunes were equally wonderful, he would leave it to my discretion to chose the final tune.' 'What could be greater appreciation for an artiste?'
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'I just love the man. Not only he's a fantastic actor with a presence in whatever he does, but he's also a very soulful, gregarious, generous man with the biggest heart in the business.' Director Lasse Hallstrom tells Aseem Chhabra/Rediff.com about the joys of working with Om Puri on The Hundred-Foot Journey.
Veteran actor Om Puri has been appointed as the chairman of the National Films Division Corporation. He will formally take charge on April 23, after holding a press conference.
Indians took to social media to pay their respects.
He had no airs about his talent, he did not intellectualise it, he just lived and breathed acting.
The actor has been named an honorary Officer of the Order of the British Empire for his outstanding contribution to cinema.
'I belonged to the working class, not the middle class.' 'I was a rag-picker. I used to pick up coal from the railway tracks.' 'I was rejected from the FTII, as I was very unkempt and skinny.' 'I did not look like a hero, villain or comedian.' 'But Girish Karnad and Jairaj said I should be taken based on merit, not looks.'
Veteran Bollywood actor Om Puri, who drew flak for his controversial comments against parliamentarians, landed himself in another row by calling Naxals "fighters not terrorists".
Veteran actor Om Puri was at the receiving end of hatred and trolled on Twitter when he ended up insulting Indian martyrs while defending why art and such issues shouldn't be mixed.
The has left for the UK for the shooting of his new international film The 100 Foot Journey, co-starring British actress Helen Mirren.
Members in both Houses of Parliament have given Privilege notices against actor Om Puri and civil rights activist Kiran Bedi for using "derogatory and defamatory" language against politicians and the matter is under consideration of the Chair.
Nandita Puri clears the air about her biography on Om Puri, Unlikely Hero.
Mr Kabaadi is about a rag-picker...
In an interview with CNN-IBN, actor Om Puri explains the controversial statements he made against politicians at Ramlila Maidan, while expressing his support for activist Anna Hazare.
The film's New York premiere was a star studded affair.
The actor is to star in a film alongside Hollywood biggies Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts.
Author Richard C Morais tells Arthur J Pais he is amazed how Om Puri and Helen Mirren have brought his characters to life in the film.
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