The Hindi film industry has always held a deep reverence for talented actors who have left an indelible mark with their exceptional performances. Om Puri was undeniably one such actor. His illustrious career spanned not only commercial blockbusters but also artistic and character-driven films. With equal finesse, he brought leading and antagonist roles to life.
As today marks the birth anniversary of Om Puri, let us take a look at the journey of the legendary actor.
Om Puri, a native of Ambala, Haryana, comes from a family with a distinguished background in the railway and military sectors. He received his education at the renowned Film and Television Institute of India (FTII). He was an alumnus of the 1973 class at the National School of Drama, where Naseeruddin Shah was his classmate.
The early years of Om Puri’s life were marked by adversity. At the tender age of six, his family faced a significant challenge due to poor financial conditions. They relocated to Turunga, where they found themselves without a place to call home. To make ends meet, Om Puri’s brother, Ved Prakash Puri, began working as a labourer for the Indian Railways, while Om Puri sold tea to support family. As time passed, he transitioned to working on railway tracks, and eventually, both Om Puri and his brother Ved Prakash Puri became cart pullers. Initially he joined a local theatre group and later he moved to Delhi to join National School of Drama.
Om Puri’s personal life has been a subject of public interest. He entered into a brief marriage in 1991 with Seema Kapoor, who was Annu Kapoor’s sister and a writer-director. Unfortunately, this marriage lasted only eight months. In 1993, Om Puri married journalist Nandita Puri, with whom he had a son named Ishaan. In 2009, Nandita authored a biography about Om Puri titled “Unlikely Hero: The Story of Om Puri.” This book contained unconventional personal revelations that stirred controversy and left Om Puri dissatisfied.
Tragically, on January 6, 2017, at the age of 66, Om Puri passed away due to a heart attack.
Om Puri: Film Career
Om Puri enjoyed a prolific career that encompassed a diverse range of Indian and international films, with notable contributions in both the United Kingdom and the United States. His cinematic journey commenced in 1976 with the film Ghashiram Kotwal, which was an adaptation of a Marathi play of the same title. Despite his remarkable work, he frequently expressed dissatisfaction with the meagre compensation he received for his outstanding performances. He collaborated with renowned actors such as Amrish Puri, Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi, and Smita Patil in acclaimed art films such as Bhavni Bhavai (1980), Sadgati (1981), Ardh Satya (1983), Mirch Masala (1986), and Dharavi (1992).
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