October 18 marks the 7th death anniversary of the late Bollywood actor Om Puri. He left an everlasting impression on the audience with his exceptional performances in the films Ardh Satya (1983) and Mirch Masala (1986). Tragically, Om Puri had to endure a harsh childhood. According to reports, even though his father worked in the Indian Railways and Indian army, he had to earn a living by washing the utensils. At the age of seven, Om Puri washed cups and glasses at a tea shop while his father was in prison, as per his biography. He also faced humiliating remarks over his looks. In one of the episodes of The Anupam Kher Show, actress Shabana Azmi recounted that she insulted Om Puri and Naseeruddin Shah over their looks. These setbacks couldn’t stop the immensely talented Om Puri, and he went on to enjoy a prolific career. This career encompassed a diverse range of Indian and international films, with significant contributions in both the United Kingdom and the United States.
Om Puri’s cinematic career
Om Puri’s cinematic journey commenced in 1976 with the film Ghashiram Kotwal. This was an adaptation of a Marathi play of the same title. Despite his brilliant work, he frequently expressed dissatisfaction with the meagre compensation he received for his remarkable performances. He teamed up with prominent actors such as Amrish Puri, Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi, and Smita Patil in acclaimed art films. These include Bhavni Bhavai (1980), Sadgati (1981), Ardh Satya (1983), Mirch Masala (1986), and Dharavi (1992).
Personal Life
Apart from the acting career, Om Puri’s personal life has been a topic 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 tied the knot with journalist Nandita Puri, with whom he had a son named Ishaan. In 2009, Nandita wrote a biography about Om Puri titled Unlikely Hero: The Story of Om Puri. This book comprised unconventional personal revelations that stirred controversy and left Om Puri dissatisfied.
Death
On January 6, 2017, at 66, Om Puri died due to a heart attack. At the time of his death in January 2017, he was working on a Marathi film. Several of his completed films were released after his death including Viceroy’s House and Tubelight.
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