Actor Om Puri, pioneer in parallel cinema, dies of heart attack in Mumbai

Veteran actor Om Puri, who gave countless memorable performances in movies of diverse genres, died at his residence on Friday morning after a massive heart attack.

Veteran actor Om Puri, who gave countless memorable performances in movies of diverse genres, died at his residence on Friday morning after a massive heart attack.

Bollywood actor Om Puri at the UK screening of The Hundred Foot Journey, in central London in 2014. The 66-year-old died in Mumbai on January 6, 2017. (AFP File)

He was 66.

“He passed away this morning due to a massive heart attack at his residence in suburban Andheri. It’s shocking,” a family source said.

Among the pioneers of India’s parallel cinema, Puri’s filmography spans across Bollywood and Hollywood, independent and art films.

Read | Om Puri: Revisiting his award-winning roles

Known for his versatility, Puri’s acclaim earned him the Padma Shri, the country’s fourth highest civilian award, in 1990.

The shocking news of his death spread almost immediately on social media, with industry heavy weights such as Karan Johar, Akshay Kumar and Javed Akhrar and Anupam Kher condoling the loss.

Read | Karan Johar to Anupam Kher: Bollywood reacts to Om Puri’s death

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also tweeted his condolences over Puri’s demise, and recalled his long career in theatre and films.

In 1976, Puri made his movie debut in Marathi, in the film Ghashiram Kotwal.

Some of his most notable films include Bhavni Bhavai, Sandgate, Ardh Satya, Mirch Masala, Dharavi, Aakrosh, Maachis, Gupt, Dhoop, Yuva, Don, Agneepath, Bajrangi Bhaijaan and others.

He also featured in several mainstream Pakistani, British and Hollywood commercial films, earning international fame in British films such as My Son the Fanatic, East Is East and The Parole Officer among others.

In Hollywood, he is remembered in films such as City of Joy, Wolf and The Ghost and the Darkness.