25 Facts About Om Puri

Om Puri is widely regarded as one of the finest actors in world cinema.

Om Puri won two National Film Awards for Best Actor, two Filmfare Awards and India's fourth highest civilian award Padma Shri in 1990.

Om Puri is best known for his author-backed roles in films like Aakrosh, Arohan, Ardh Satya, television films like Sadgati and Tamas, light-hearted roles in Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, Chachi 420, Hera Pheri, Chup Chup Ke and Dhol and several mainstream commercial films throughout his career.

Om Puri had various collaborations with director Shyam Benegal and Govind Nihalani.

Om Puri appeared in non-Indian productions in the United States, Pakistan and Britain.

Om Puri's parents received no birth certificate and had no records, so his family was unsure of his birth date.

However, as an adult when he moved to Mumbai, Om Puri looked up when Dussehra was celebrated in 1950, to establish his birth date as 18 October.

Subsequently, Om Puri worked in numerous Indian films, as well as many films produced in the United Kingdom and the United States.

Om Puri made his debut in the mainstream films genre in the 1976 Marathi film Ghashiram Kotwal, based on a Marathi play of the same name by Vijay Tendulkar.

Om Puri has claimed that he was paid "peanuts" for his best work.

Om Puri rendered his own voice for the Kannada dialogues.

Om Puri had a cameo in the highly acclaimed film Gandhi.

Om Puri became known internationally by starring in many British films such as My Son the Fanatic, East Is East and The Parole Officer.

Om Puri appeared in Hollywood films including City of Joy, opposite Patrick Swayze; Wolf with Jack Nicholson; and The Ghost and the Darkness opposite Val Kilmer.

Om Puri received critical acclaim for his performance in Govind Nihalani's television film Tamas based on a Hindi novel of the same name.

Om Puri played comic roles in Hindi films like Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro which reached a cult status, followed by Chachi 420, Hera Pheri, Chor Machaye Shor, Deewane Hue Pagal, Chup Chup Ke, Kismet Connection and Malamaal Weekly and Oh My God.

Om Puri was regular in films directed by Priyadarshan and Kamal Haasan.

Om Puri was seen in the role of Mohammad Ali Kasuri in Road to Sangam.

Om Puri has worked in some episodes of the TV series Aahat during the second season which was aired between 2004 and 2005 on Sony channel.

Om Puri took "solace in spiritual reading", particularly in the writings of spiritual teacher Eknath Easwaran, many of whose books he shared with friends.

Om Puri seldom took politics seriously, and often found relaxation by cooking or gardening.

Om Puri subsequently apologized for his comments, stating that it came out as he was emotionally charged during the moment.

In October 2016, Om Puri appeared for a debate on a news channel regarding a Hindi film producer's ban on Pakistani actors after the Uri attack.

On 6 January 2017, Om Puri died at the age of 66, after having a heart attack at his residence in Andheri, Mumbai.

Om Puri was honoured at the 89th Academy Awards in memoriam segment for his contribution in world cinema.