Om Puri passes away after a massive heart attack, funeral at 6 pm

Veteran actor Om Puri has passed away after a massive heart attack early on Friday morning. The actor was 66. Om Puri’s friends and colleagues from Bollywood reached his Andheri residence to pay their last respects to the actor. Puri’s body was taken to Cooper hospital for postmortem, following which the funeral will take place.

Confirming the news to indianexpress.com, filmmaker Ashoke Pandit — a close friend of Puri — said,”Omji suffered from a massive heart attack in the morning today. We have just reached his residence.”

Actor Shabana Azmi shared more details via tweet. She posted, “OM Puri undergoing postmortem at Cooper Hospital.Will be taken to Trishul around 3pm Funeral at Oshiwara electric crematorium around 6pm.”

He also took to Twitter to share the news, “Sad & shocked to know that versatile actor Om Puri jee has expired due to heart attack early morning today. #RIP.”

The actor has appeared in mainstream Bollywood cinema as well as Pakistani, British and Hollywood films. The actor has received an OBE as well as Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award of India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condoled his death. “The Prime Minister condoles the passing away of actor Om Puri & recalls his long career in theatre & films,” PMO India tweeted.

Puri’s friends in Bollywood were left shell-shocked by his death. Mahesh Bhatt tweeted: 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 ?

Boman Irani also tweeted: “RIP Om Puri. We have lost one of our finest. A talent, A Voice, A Spirit. Will miss you Puri Saab.”

An alumnus of Film and Television Institute of India as well as National School of Drama, Puri was on the forefront of what was called art films movement in the 70s. He has worked in acclaimed films such as Bhavni Bhavai (1980), Sadgati (1981), Ardh Satya (1982), Mirch Masala (1986) and Dharavi (1992).

Source:indianexpress.com