The year 2017 has started on a sad note for Bollywood. Hindi film industry's veteran actor Om Puri passed away on Friday morning. He was 66.
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The legendary actor died of a heart attack early Friday. Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit was the first person to confirm the news on Twitter. "Sad & shocked to know that versatile actor Om Puri jee has expired due to heart attack early morning today. #RIP."
Born on October 18, 1950, to a Punjabi family, Puri made his acting debut with a Marathi film Ghashiram Kotwal. Puri has acted in more than 120 movies in his career spanning over four decades. He has won several awards, including two National Awards for his performance in Arohan and Ardh Satya.
Puri, one of Bollywood's talented actors, is known for his roles in films like Ardh Satya, Aakrosh, Paar, Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron, Maachis, Hera Pheri, Malamaal Weekly, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Kurbaan, OMG: Oh My God! and Chachi 420 among others.
Soon after the news of his demise, Bollywood celebrities took to Twitter to pay condolences. Ashoke Pandit, Karan Johar and Anupam Kher were among the first to mourn his demise on Twitter:
Check out Bollywood celebs tweet below:
Prime Minister Narendra also paid tribute to the legendary actor on Twitter. "The Prime Minister condoles the passing away of actor Om Puri & recalls his long career in theatre & films," the official account of the PMO India tweeted.
Shah Rukh Khan: "Gods garden must b beautiful, He always takes the best" Will miss ur laughter over the shared brandy in Berlin. Will miss u lots Omji. RIP
Amitabh Bachchan: Shocked to learn of OM PURI Ji's passing just now.. a dear friend a lovable colleague and an exceptional talent .. in grief !
Priyanka Chopra: The end of an era .... The legacy lives on.. RIP #OmPuri
Akshay Kumar: Sad to hear about the passing away of the very talented Om Puri, my co-actor in many films...heartfelt condolences to the family. #RIP
Sushant Singh Rajput: You were one of the finest we had. RIP Ompuri
Kamal Haasan: So long Omji. Prided myself on being his friend peer & admirer. Who dare say my Om Puri is no more ? He lives through his work.
Arjun Rampal: Dear Omji,my friend and co actor in so many films.Such wonderful memories and stories he made and shared.Will miss u.Very sad,too soon #RIP
Karan Johar: Solid actor....Solid filmography....immense talent.... #RIPOmPuri ....cinema has truly lost a brilliant artist....
Anupam Kher: Seeing him lying on his bed looking so calm can't believe that one of our greatest actors #OmPuri is no more. Deeply saddened & shocked. I have known #OmPuri for d last 43yrs. For me he'll always b a great actor, a kind & generous man. And that is how world shud remember him.
Alia Bhatt: Deeply saddened to hear about #OmPuri sir! He was such a huge part of the core of Indian cinema..RIP ! Truly and end of an era.
Ashutosh Gowariker: Will cherish the memories of working under @omrajeshpuri in his Hindi play Bichhoo. Sir, thank you for your immortal performances! #OmPuri
Varun Dhawan: Had meet #OmPuri sir a couple of months back only and had an amazing conversation.Saddened by his sudden demise. Rip #OmPuri ji.
Abhishek Bachchan: Very sad to hear of the passing of Om Puri ji. Have worked with him on many films. He was an immense talent. But more than that, he was a very caring and loving co-actor. I learnt a lot from him. Rest in peace Om ji. I will miss you.
Paresh Rawal: Have nothing but love n respect for you Om ji... RIP .
Shoojit Sircar: RIP Om puri .. interactions with you were always full of life.. you were one of the finest artist we are proud of..
Madhur Bhandarkar: Shocked to know that the immensely talented actor #OmPuri passed away. Big loss to our film industry. RIP
Kamaal R Khan: I m shocked to hear sad demise of Actor OM PURI JI. My heartfelt condolences to his family. I pray to Almighty may his soul Rest in peace.
Sushant Singh: Devasted, just spoke to him last evening and today he is gone.. just like that ... OM PURI JI.. R.I.P
Boman Irani: RIP Om Puri. We have lost one of our finest. A talent, A Voice, A Spirit. Will miss you Puri Saab.
Mahesh Bhatt: Goodbye Om! A part of me goes with you today. How can I ever forget those passionate nights we spent together talking about cinema & life ?
Riteish Deshmukh: Shocked beyond words to learn that #OmPuri ji is no more. Will miss you sir. Condolences to the family. RIP #HugeLoss
Virender Sehwag: Condolences on the passing away of one of our finest ever actors #OmPuri
Mohammad Kaif: My deepest condolences on the passing away of one of the most versatile actors of Indian Cinema , #OmPuri ji
Sajid Khan: R.I.P OM PURI..ardh satya..jaane bhi do yaaro..city of joy.. chachi 420...his versatility and journey as an actor was remarkable...
Raj Babbar: Shocked & deeply saddened to know about Om Puri ji's sudden demise. He was more of a family member, my mentor. I'll miss him forever. #Rip
Kabir Khan: Omji... I will miss that warm tight hug that you gave me every morning on set. Khudahafiz sir... you were the best!
We lost a legend today. Your contribution to Indian cinema won't be forgotten #OmPuri
— Jacqueline Fernandez (@Asli_Jacqueline) January 6, 2017
Deeply saddened to hear about #OmPuri sir! He was such a huge part of the core of Indian cinema..RIP ! Truly and end of an era..
— Alia Bhatt (@aliaa08) January 6, 2017
It's such a sad day .. so much talent , humour, generosity and such compassion.. You will be missed much #OmPuri Abba
— Huma Qureshi (@humasqureshi) January 6, 2017
An actor, a teacher, a friend & a great soul #OmPuri ji. Filled with passion for his craft & innocence in his heart. We will miss him. pic.twitter.com/I1JgBCvs2q
— Anil Kapoor (@AnilKapoor) January 6, 2017
It's sad to hear about the sudden demise of a great actor n friend Om puri sahib.. may his soul Rest In Peace.
— KAPIL (@KapilSharmaK9) January 6, 2017
Sorry to hear of the passing of an amazing actor #OmPuri ji . Had the opportunity of working briefly in A Hundred Foot Journey ..
— Juhi Chawla (@iam_juhi) January 6, 2017
I remember driving with him every morning to set listening to old Hindi music during delhi6, So sorry to hear to hear of his passing #Ompuri
— Sonam Kapoor (@sonamakapoor) January 6, 2017
You will live in our hearts forever through the impressions you have left with your versatility. We will miss you. RIP #OmPuri
— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) January 6, 2017
The Best Actor in World, An inspiration 2 me & many, he was suppose 2 work with me in Manto.Deeply saddened by da news, RIP #OmPuri Saab ?
— Nawazuddin Siddiqui (@Nawazuddin_S) January 6, 2017
Really sad to hear #Ompuri sir is no more,a genius performer ! My thoughts n prayers are with his family ?
— Sidharth Malhotra (@S1dharthM) January 6, 2017