New Delhi – Indian actor Om Puri who starred in acclaimed Indian and foreign productions, died early Friday aged 66. Puri suffered a heart attack at his residence in Mumbai, his estranged wife, Nandita, told the News18 network.
The veteran actor played many memorable roles in arthouse and mainstream films in a career spanning over four decades.
Besides Indian films, Puri acted in Pakistani, British and Hollywood films and won critical acclaim. Puri rose to fame with his performances in Hindi films such as “Ardh Satya,” “Aakrosh” and “Jaane Bhi Do Yaaaron.”
Om Puri in the movie “West Is West” (Credit Image: © BBC Films/Entertainment Pictures/ZUMAPRESS.com)
He worked in a number of Hollywood films including “City of Joy” opposite Patrick Swayze, “Wolf” with Jack Nicholson and “Charlie Wilson’s War” starring Tom Hanks.
Puri was awarded India’s leading civilian honour as well as several national and popular film awards. He was also awarded an honorary OBE for his contribution to the British film industry.
India’s film fraternity and political leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi mourned Puri’s death.
-dpa
