Veteran Indian Actor Om Puri Dies At 66
Om Puri, the leading Indian actor who also gained acclaim in numerous British and Hollywood films including East is East , has died aged 66.
A family member told the BBC that Puri suffered a heart attack at his home in Mumbai early Friday morning.
Puri has over 300 film credits dating back to the 1970s. He gained attention in the 1980s appearing in Hindi-language films Aakrosh and Mirch Masala.
The celebrated actor successfully transitioned into British and American films, notably playing a Pakistani immigrant raising a family with his English wife in 1970s northern England in East is East. The British comedy, released in 1999, won the BAFTA for Best British Film.
He has also appeared in films such as The Hundred-Foot Journey, alongside Helen Mirren, and Charlie Wilson's War with Tom Hanks. He is due to appear in Bend It Like Beckham director Gurinder Chadha's next film, Viceroy's House, released in March.
The crossover star was awarded an honorary OBE for his services to the British film industry.
As news of Puri's death broke Friday, stars from across Bollywood, Hollywood and British film paid tribute to the late actor.
The Good Wife's Archie Panjabi, who played Puri's daughter in East is East, wrote:
Devastated to hear of the sad loss of @OmRajeshPuri. He was a true gem. Rest in Peace.
— Archie Panjabi (@archiepanjabi) January 6, 2017
More tweets came from Rogue One actor Riz Ahmed, Priyanka Chopra and the Indian prime minister:
RIP Om Puri. Transcended boundaries, an icon in both Bollywood and the West, a true gent. Thanks for ur magic Om-ji pic.twitter.com/YoZm8gSSZL
— Riz Ahmed (@rizmc) January 6, 2017
The end of an era .... The legacy lives on.. RIP #OmPuri
— PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) January 6, 2017
The Prime Minister condoles the passing away of actor Om Puri & recalls his long career in theatre & films.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 6, 2017
Devastated by news of Omji's death. One of India's finest actors, he spearheaded realism in India cinema n brought dignity to it #OmPuri
— Shekhar Kapur (@shekharkapur) 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
Deeply saddened to hear about #OmPuri sir! He was such a huge part of the core of Indian cinema..RIP ! Truly and end of an era..
— Alia Bhatt (@aliaa08) January 6, 2017
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
