Om Puri

Introduction

Indian actor Om Puri was well-known for his roles in both home and foreign productions. His powerful and varied performances in a range of languages and genres made him well-known. On October 18, 1950, Om Puri was born in Ambala, Haryana, India. His father served in both the Indian Railways and the Indian Army. After a difficult upbringing, he worked in a tea shop and hauled coal from railroad tracks to support his family. He studied acting at the National School of Drama (NSD) in New Delhi and the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune. His buddy and fellow actor, Naseeruddin Shah, encouraged him to pursue his acting career.

In 1972, he made his screen debut in the Marathi film Ghashiram Kotwal, which was adapted from a play by Vijay Tendulkar. Following that, he starred in several highly regarded art films as well as parallel productions, such as Tamas, Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, Arohan, Ardh Satya, Sadgati, and many more. For his performances in Ardh Satya and Arohan, he was nominated for two National Film Awards as Best Actor. He also received the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award in India, in 1990.

With roles in Ghayal, Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha, Hera Pheri, Chachi 420, Malamaal Weekly, Singh Is Kinng, and other popular commercial Hindi movies; he has tried his hand in the industry. He has acted in Bengali, Gujarati, Telugu, Kannada, and Marathi motion pictures. With roles in movies like My Son the Fanatic, East Is East, The Ghost, and the Darkness, City of Joy, Wolf, The Hundred-Foot Journey, The Reluctant Fundamentalist, and others, he has left his mark on international cinema. He was nominated for a BAFTA for Best Actor in a Leading Role for East Is East. He received an honorary Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) designation in 2004.

His Early Life

In Ambala, Puri was born into a Hindu family from Punjab. Tek Chand Puri, his father, was employed by the Indian Army and on the railroads. Puri's family didn't know when he was born because his parents didn't have any documentation like a birth certificate. However, his mother informed him that he was born two days following the Hindu holiday of Dussehra. His uncle designated March 9, 1950, as his "official" birthday when he started school. But when Puri came to Mumbai as an adult, he checked the date of Dussehra celebrations in 1950 and found that October 18 was his actual birth date.

Puri was raised in a low-income family. His father worked for the railways and was arrested when he was six years old on suspicion of stealing cement. Their family ended up homeless as a result of this. Puri supported his family by working as a coolie (railway porter) alongside his brother Ved Prakash Puri, as well as by working in a nearby tea store, performing odd jobs, and gathering coal from nearby railway tracks. One of his female servants, Shanti, later raised him and his brother's children.

Puri went to work and kept studying. He enrolled in the National School of Drama in Delhi to learn theater acting after completing his elementary schooling. Puri was persuaded to follow Naseeruddin Shah, a fellow NSD student who would go on to become a lifelong friend, to the Film and Television Institute of India in Poona (modern-day Pune). Puri subsequently recalled in an interview with The Times of India that when he joined FTII, he didn't have a nice shirt to wear because his family was so poor. Shah claims that Puri was not only dissatisfied with his studies at FTII but also unable to pay tuition; after gaining notoriety, the institute pursued the ₹280 debt that Puri had refused to pay, citing the "impish thrill" of having money owed them.

His Personal Life

Om Puri and Nandita were wed from 1993 until 2013, a span of 20 years. Ishaan, the couple's kid, was born after their 2013 divorce. 2017 saw the death of Om Puri from a heart attack.

Movie Career

In 1976, Om Puri made his feature film debut in the Marathi film Ghashiram Kotwal. Sixteen FTII grads also contributed to the film's production, which K. Hariharan and Mani Kaul directed. A few years later, he had an appearance in the 1978 Saeed Akhtar Mirza film Arvind Desai Ki Ajeeb Dastaan (1978) as a Martyr. Following his role in another Saaed Mirza film, Albert Pinto Ko Ghussa Kyoon Aata Hai (1980), he was chosen to play the oppressed tribal character Lahanya Bhiku in Govind Nihalani's arthouse film Aakrosh (1980). Om Puri took home the Best Supporting Actor Filmfare award as the film went on to win six other accolades.

Puri's next well-received performance was as Jimmy's (Mithun Chakraborty) manager in the 1982 film Disco Dancer. The actor was comfortable playing unusual parts, and he won a National Film Award for Best Actor for his performance in the film Arohan that same year. He followed this up the next year with another powerful performance in Govind Nihalani's arthouse film Ardh Satya (1983). One of the best-made police dramas in Indian history, Ardh Satya, went on to become a landmark picture in the Indian film industry. Puri won his second straight Best Actor National Award for his captivating portrayal of Sub Inspector Anant Velankar. For the actor, it proved to be a pivotal role in his career. Following the triumph of Ardh Satya, he acted in Kundan Shah's dark comedy Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983). Puri acted in films such as Giddh (1984), Mirch Masala (1985), and Aghaat (1985) in the ensuing years.

In 1990, Puri had yet another electrifying performance in the film Ghayal, which co-stars Meenakshi Seshadri and Sunny Deol. The film became one of the year's biggest hits and was recognized with seven Filmfare awards. Puri, who played ACP Joe D'Souza, was also a nominee for the Best Supporting Actor Filmfare Award. Alongside Jack Nicholson, Michelle Pfeiffer, and James Spader, he also starred in the 1994 romantic horror American film Wolf. The actor went on to deliver outstanding performances in a number of films in the following years, earning nominations for the Filmfare Award's Best Supporting Actor for Maachis (1996), Gupt: The Hidden Truth (1997), and Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha (1998). Om Puri wasn't just featured in Hindi films; he was also quite successful in a few South Indian productions. He played a strict law enforcement officer in the Kannada film A.K. 47 (1999), which moved on to become a big box-office ticket success.

With his roles in films like East is East (1999), The Ghost and the Darkness (1996), Fanatic (1997), and My Son the City of Joy (1992), Puri also became well-known throughout the world in the 1990s. Though the seasoned actor has garnered recognition for his unorthodox parts, Puri also demonstrated similar skill when portraying humorous roles in films like Malamaal Weekly (2006), Chor Machaye Shor (2002), Hera Pheri (2000), and Chachi 420 (1997). Om Puri also starred in the 1978 Don film version. Shah Rukh Khan played the title role in the 2006 version of Don: The Chase Begins, while Om Puri played CBI Officer Vishal Malik. In the 2011 follow-up Don 2: The King is Back, he also played the same role.

He provided the voice of Bagheera in the Hindi version of the animated film The Jungle Book (2016), which, at the time of its release, shattered multiple box office records. His other 2016 releases include Mirzya and Ghayaal Once Again (2016). The Ghazi Attack, Viceroy's House, A Death in the Gunj, Tubelight, and Mr. Kabaadi are just a few of Om Puri's 2017 releases. Load Wedding (2018), The Gandhi Murder (2019), and Gul Makai (2020) are some of his other endeavors.

Television Career

Additionally, the actor starred in a number of television shows, including Govind Nihalani's Tamas (1987), Mr. Yogi (1989), and Kakkaji in Kakkaji Kaheen (1988). Additionally, he provided the voice of Bagheera in the well-known animated television series.

Controversies

Om Puri was renowned for his deft speech delivery, commanding presence on screen and subtle acting. A master of the cinema, Puri astounded moviegoers with his exceptional acting abilities in Hindi, regional, American, British, and Pakistani films. In addition to giving outstanding performances, the late actor is known for being in the headlines for a number of contentious incidents that followed him to death.

• His Divorce from his Wife Made Headlines

"Unlikely Hero: The Story of Om Puri" is a book that Nandita, Om Puri's wife, wrote. Om was displeased with his wife Nandita for disclosing in writing about her husband's previous connections, which included a 14-year-old Om Puri's intercourse with his maid. Om believed that Nandita's book damaged his reputation.

• When Om Puri Stated that No Indian was Compelled to Serve in the Army

When the surgical strikes and the Uri incident occurred, Om Puri said, "Who had asked the soldiers to join the army? " in a televised debate on IBN-7. "Who told them to pick the weapons?" he said, making fun of an army soldier and his son, who died at Uri. As a result, a complaint was made against him for making fun of Indian soldiers. Om later expressed regret for his remarks and said, "I should be court-martialed, and I want to be tried by the army." Constructive punishment is what I want. I should be sent to the same location where that courageous man gave his life in defense of the nation and was trained in weaponry by the army. I'm not looking for forgiveness. I am begging to be punished in this country."

• Reacting to the Extremely Heated Statement Made by Aamir Khan

After hearing Aamir Khan say that his family felt "insecure" in the nation's increasingly intolerable climate, Puri remarked, "I am shocked Aamir Khan and his wife feel that way. I think Aamir's response to bigotry is excessive and unacceptable.

• Controversy Related to Beef Ban

In a speech to Pakistani journalists, Om Puri declared, "Those who advocated for outlawing the country's practice of cow slaughter were hypocrites." We export beef and receive financial gain from it.

• When Om Puri Declared that the Naxals Were not Terrorists

"They (naxals) are not terrorists because they don't resort to irresponsible acts of terror by planting bombs on streets," he once declared in a statement to reporters. The Naxals are warriors who defend their rights. They do not harass the poor and the common person.

His Achievements

It is difficult to find an Indian who enjoys Bollywood movies and is unaware of Om Puri. He stands out from the others thanks to his flawless acting, line delivery, and versatility. On this day a year ago, the esteemed National School of Drama alumnus departed from us. Om Puri was the recipient of numerous honors, such as the Padma Shri, the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor, the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award, and the National Film Award for Best Actor.

In addition, he was awarded the Order of the British Empire, which is a British order of chivalry that recognizes achievements in the humanities and sciences, voluntary work with welfare and charity organizations, and public service outside of the civil service. In 1976, he made his cinematic debut in Ghashiram Kotwal, and by 1980, he had become well-known. His career extended beyond T.V. series and films in India to include international productions.

• Om Puri's Work in Hollywood

He appeared in the British comedy film East is East in 1999. He portrayed an immigrant from Pakistan getting used to life in the north of England. Om Puri also starred in My Son the Fanatic and The Parole Officer, two more British motion pictures.

His Hollywood films include:

• City of Joy, opposite Patrick Swayze
• Wolf, alongside Jack Nicholson
• The Ghost and the Darkness, opposite Val Kilmer

In addition, Om Puri made appearances in Charlie Wilson's War (starring Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts), The Reluctant Fundamentalist, The Hangman, and other highly regarded films; he also made a cameo appearance in Richard Attenborough's internationally acclaimed film Gandhi, which was based on the life of Mahatma Gandhi. One of his most well-known works is the American comedy-drama The Hundred-Foot Journey (2014), in which Dame Helen Mirren won an Academy Award. The film chronicles the rivalry between two nearby eateries in a French village.

What is Om Puri's Net Worth?

Om Puri's estimated net worth at the time of his passing was $20 million. His lengthy and prosperous career in the Indian and international film industries had allowed him to amass enormous wealth. He was paid between Rs. 5 and 7 crore per film that he starred in.

His Death

The abrupt passing of veteran actor Om Puri shocked both the actor's admirers and the Bollywood film industry. The star's doorbell remained unanswered on Friday morning, January 6, at his Oakland Park home in Lokhandwala. He was discovered dead. Om was said to have died of a fatal heart attack while alone at home the day before. Om was thought to be in good health and had returned from work. Many people are curious about what went wrong with the actor, given his sudden demise.