Om Puri’s 71st birth anniversary: Counted amongst one of the versatile actors of the Bollywood industry, late Om Prakash Puri was born on 18 October 1950 in Ambala in a Punjabi family. He began working at a very young age and did odd jobs like working at a dhaba and tea stall. But this did not stop him from completing his education and he joined the National School of Drama after which he went to the Film and Television Institute of India.
Having featured in the film Chor Chor Chhup Ja, his debut in the mainstream is considered by his performance in a Marathi movie Ghashiram Kotwal in the year 1976. He has earned his fan following with his performances in art as well as commercial movies which is why on his 69th birth anniversary, it would be appropriate to remember him through 5 films that have set a benchmark in Indian cinema.
Aakrosh
Aakrosh, which was the debut film of ace director Govind Nihalani, won the 1980 National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi and several Filmfare Awards. It was based on the corruption in the judiciary and victimisation and suppression of the underprivileged.
Sadgati
Directed by legendary director Satyajit Ray, Sadgati was primarily made for TV. The 1981 film was based on a short story by famous writer Munshi Premchand. Om Puri played the role of a poor village shoemaker.
Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron
The 1983 film introduced the genre of dark satire in Bollywood. It revolved around rampant corruption in politics, bureaucracy, media, etc and also featured Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur, Satish Shah, Satish Kaushik and Neena Gupta. Om Puri played the role of a builder, Ahuja in the movie
Ardh Satya
Om Puri played the role of a fair and frustrated cop in this 1983 movie, directed by Govind Nihalani. The film had actors like Amrish Puri, Smita Patil and Naseeruddin Shah. Om Puri won the National Award for his stellar acting in the film.
Mirch Masala
The 1987 film, directed by Ketan Mehta, had critically acclaimed actors in leading roles such as Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri and Smita Patil. The movie is set in the background of colonial India.
On his birth anniversary today, here are some lesser-known facts about Om puri:
- With no birth certificate record, Om Puri’s family was unsure about the date and year of birth; however his mother had told him that he was born two days after Dussehra. Eventually, Om Puri When moved to Mumbai decided to celebrate his birthday on October 18, 1950, after looking at the 1950 calendar and when Dussehra was celebrated that year.
- At the age of six, Om Puri used to wash glasses at a Dhaba. No one could have imagined the turnout during that time.
- Om Puri’s close friend was Naseeruddin Shah. Om puri and Naseeruddin Shah were classmates at the National School of Drama and had been friends for more than 40 years at the time of Puri’s death.
- On the episode of Anupam Kher’s TV show, it was revealed that Puri had various complexity issues as his friend Naseeruddin came from a convent- school background and Puri was from Punjabi – medium school.
- Om Puri was an introvert and took time to open up, talk to people, and even longer to make friends. Om Puri always got cold feet while talking to women.
- Om Puri was always conscious of his fat nose. He was unsure if he would ever be able to act in films. His main aim to join NSD was to gain recognition and acceptance.
- Om Puri was not a good dancer so therefore his most embarrassing moment of life was to match steps with veteran British actress Helen Mirren in the Hundred – Foot Journey.
- With the help of his friend NSD, Om Puri started taking English Language Lessons and went on to do over 20 movies in English.
To commemorate his special day, his wife Nandita and son Ishaan launched a YouTube Channel last year, “Puri Baatein”. The channel discusses Om Puri’s life in movies and outside of work. In Addition the fans from across the world are allowed to talk about their favorite actor.
