Om Prakash Puri was a popular Bollywood actor. He was born on 18 October 1950 in Ambala, Haryana. He died on 6 January 2017 in Andheri, Mumbai. He did his schooling from Government High School, Sanaur. He earned his degrees from Film and Television Institute of India, Pune, and National School of Drama, New Delhi. 

His father Tek Chand Puri was an officer in Indian Army. His mother, Tara Devi was a homemaker. He had a brother, Ved Prakash, and a sister Vedvadi.

He was married to Seema Kapoor in the year 1991 and to Nandita Puri from 1993 and 2013. 

Om Puri’s favourites

His hobbies were reading books and travelling. 

His favourite actors were Alec Guinness, Amitabh Bachchan, Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapoor, Kamal Haasan, Vikram, Shabana Azmi, Smita Patil, Nutan, Madhuri Dixit, Priyanka Chopra, Rani Mukherjee, and Kajol. 

His favourite films were Fiddler on the Roof, Nayagan, Psuhpak, and Dev.

Interesting facts about Om Puri

During his college days, Om Puri used to work as an assistant in a laboratory and earned Rs 125 as salary. 

He actively participated in theatre plays as a college student. A Punjabi playwright Harpal Tiwana offered him a place in his theatre group. 

Om Puri became a popular local theatre artist. The then Deputy Commissioner of Punjab offered him a permanent government job. 

Om Puri’s debut

Om Puri enrolled at National School of Drama to hone his acting skills. He became friends with actor Naseeruddin Shah during his time at the college. 

In the year 1972, Om Puri made his acting debut with the Marathi film ‘Gheshiram Kotwal.’

Om Puri worked in his first Bollywood film ‘Godhuli’ in the year 1977. 

Awards

He won the Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award for his role of ‘Lahanya Bhiju’ in the 1980 film ‘Aakrosh.’

Om Puri was honoured with the National Film Awards for the films ‘Aarohan’ (1982) and ‘Ardh Satya’ (1983).

Om Puri gained immense popularity for his consecutive successful roles during the 1970s and 1980s.

Om Puri as Bagheera

He lent his voice to the famous character of Bagheera for the popular children’s show ‘The Jungle Book.’

In the year 1992, he appeared in the Hollywood film ‘City of Joy.’

In 2004, he was awarded the title of Honorary Officer of the Order of the British Empire for his contribution to the British film industry.

Om Puri released his biographical book titled ‘Unlikely Hero: Om Puri’ in the year 2013. 

He was found dead at his residence in Mumbai on 6 January 2017. The medical reports suggested that he passed away after suffering from a heart attack. 

Om Puri’s filmography

Om Puri’s popular films are Gandhi (1982), Dev (2004), Dhol (2007), Droh Kaal (1994), Gupt: The Hidden Truth (1997), Tamas (1988), Disco Dancer (1982), Chachi 420 (1997), Duniya (1984), Mirch Masala (1987), Delhi06 (2009), Bhumika (1977), Billu (2009), Maqbool (2003), Singh is Kinng (2008), Don (2006), Malamaal weekly (2006), Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983), Gadar (2001), and many more.