From peers like Amitabh Bachchan, Shabana Azmi to his young co-stars Shah Rukh Khan and Akshay Kumar, condolences poured in from Bollywood for veteran actor Om Puri, who passed away today following a massive heart attack.
The actor, known for his unforgettable performances in cinema classics like "Ardh Satya", "Aakrosh" and "City of Joy", "Bhumika" and ""Mirch Masala", died at his residence at the age of 66.
Hailing him as an "exceptional talent", Bachchan condoled the death of his friend saying he is in grief after hearing the news.
"Shocked to learn of OM PURI Ji's passing just now.. A dear friend a lovable colleague and an exceptional talent .. in grief!" Bachchan, who collaborated with Puri in "Ghatak", "Dev", "Baabul", "Kyun ! Ho Gaya Na" and "Lakshya".
Azmi, Puri's co-star in films like "Muhafiz", "Dharavi", "Antarnaad", "Disha", "Sparsh" and "Mandi, tweeted, "Om Puri! You have left us all too early.. I am so so sorry.. The fun the laughter the arguments so vividly etched in my mind.. Will miss you."
When contacted, an emotional Shyam Benegal, who directed Puri in several films like "Antarnaad", "Mandi", "Kalyug" and "Bhumika", said it is difficult for him to talk as he is still processing the news.
Fondly remembering the times he spent with Puri during the shoot of "Don 2" in Berlin, Shah Rukh tweeted, "Gods garden must be beautiful, he always takes the best. Will miss your laughter over the shared brandy in Berlin. Will miss you lots Omji. RIP."
Akshay, who worked with Puri in films like "Aan: Men at Work", "Hera Pheri", "Awara Paagal Deewana" and "OMG - Oh My God!", tweeted, "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."
Puri's "Chachi 420" co-actor expressed his grief, tweeting, "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."
Actor Anupam Kher said the actor's death came as a shock to him.
"Seeing him lying on his bed looking so calm can't believe that one of our greatest actors #OmPuri is no more. Deeply saddened and shocked."
Veteran scriptwriter-lyricist Javed Akhtar said Puri was not only a great actor but also a brilliant human being.
"It's really a great loss. Wonderful person, great actor and with such impressive body of work right from Satyajit Ray to any commercial Hindi film to films in US and Pakistan. He played all kind of roles.
"Om Puri will be missed as a friend. It's a bit shocking at the moment and I'm feeling a bit numb. In the moment all of us are taken aback.
Mahesh Bhatt said, "Goodbye Om! A part of me goes with you
today. How can I ever forget those passionate nights we spent together talking about cinema and life."
Director Karan Johar said in Puri's death cinema had lost a brilliant artist.
"Solid actor....Solid filmography....Immense talent.... #RIPOmPuri ....Cinema has truly lost a brilliant artist," Johar tweeted.
Priyanka Chopra, posted, "The end of an era... The legacy lives on.. RIP #OmPuri."
Puri's long-time film industry colleague and friend Satish Kaushik, said, "Puri's death is very shocking and unbelievable. We have lost a friend, a great actor who has been revolutionary in his performances."
"#OmPuri's talent and versatility has brought so many characters to life. An inspiration to many actors. May his soul rest in peace," actress Anushka Sharma tweeted.
Filmmaker Sudhir Mishra said, "With OmPuri's passing we have lost 1 of the great Indian Actors of All time: charismatic, brilliant and technically perfect. And please remember: A star!"
Shoojit Sircar, tweeted, "RIP Om puri... Interactions with you were always full of life.. You were one of the finest artists we are proud of..
Madhur Bhandarkar, wrote, "Shocked to know that the immensely talented actor #OmPuri passed away. Big loss to our film industry. RIP
While, Riteish Deshmukh, posted, "Shocked beyond words to learn that #OmPuri ji is no more. Will miss you sir. Condolences to the family. RIP #HugeLoss.
(Reopens DEL 17)
Filmamker Mira Nair, who has directed Om Puri in "The Reluctant Fundamentalist" and "Bollywood Calling", said, "Shocked & sad Om Puri is gone. A great actor & human being. Not a bone of falsity in his art & heart. Rage against the dying of the light."
Actor Paresh Rawal tweeted, "Have nothing but love and respect for you Om ji... RIP", while Rishi Kapoor wrote, "RIP Will miss you Om!"
Nawazuddin Siddiqui called Puri the best actor and said that he was supposed to work with him in "Manto".
"The Best Actor in World, an inspiration to me & many, he was suppose to work with me in Manto. Deeply saddened by the news, RIP #OmPuri Saab," he wrote.
Ajay Devgn said, "Only the memories live forever. RIP."
"Completely shocked to hear that om puri ji is no more. May his soul be blessed with peace! It will take long to come to terms with his demise!" posted Manoj Bajpayee.
Filmmaker Tigmanshu Dhulia said, "Goodbye Om sir, you inspired all of us an realised Purnasatya. You will always be remembered one of the best we ever had."
Puri's "Delhi-6" co-stars Abhishek Bachchan and Sonam Kapoor also condoled his death.
"Very saddened by the news of Om Puri ji's passing. Worked with him on many films and learnt so much from him. Immense talent. #RIPOmPuri," Abhishek said, while Sonam added, ""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."
Artistic Director of Toronto International Film Festival Cameron Bailey tweeted, "An unforgettable screen presence in the UK, Canada, Hollywood and throughout India. Rest in Peace."
Actor Varun Dhawan posted, "Had meet #OmPuri sir a couple of months back only and had an amazing conversation. Saddened by his sudden demise. Rip #OmPuriji."
"A man of utmost talent, utmost integrity,n a friend of the ultimate kind! am bereaved beyond words.Cinema has lost a true gem. #RIPOm Puri," Vinay Pathak said.
Actors Arjun Kapoor, Rahul Khanna, Anil Kapoor, Madhuri Dixit-Nene, Konkona Sensharma and Vivek Oberoi also tweeted their condolences.
Filmmaker Sandip Ray recalled the days when Om Puri shot for telefilm "Sadgati", directed by his father Satyajit Ray in 1981.
"It was an experience to watch him during shoots. And he was a friend of our family," said Sandip, who directed him in "Target".
Director Goutam Ghosh, who had cast Puri in "Paar" in 1984, said, "I have known him since 1981 and we had been good friends. He was a truly an international actor. I do remember how he used to prepare himself for roles with so much sincerity. I last met him two years ago," Ghosh said.
(REOPNES LST 32)
Remembering Puri's performance in films "Ardh Satya" and Gandhi", filmmaker Shekhar Kapur said there was no actor like him.
"That unforgettable moment in film 'Gandhi' where #OmPuri appears for the briefest moment, you knew of the brilliance of this young new actor," Kapur tweeted.
"From sheer intensity of 'Ardh Sathya' to the overpowering charm of '100 Foot Journey' there was no actor like #ompuri."
Indian-origin British director Gurinder Chadha, who worked with Puri in the yet-to-be-released historical "Viceroy's House", said she is going to miss him a lot.
"Goodbye my dear, warm hearted, colossal actor and all round wonderful human being. I will miss showing you our work together and you teasing me about it over a drink. Love and peace gc. @omrajeshpuri. #ompuririp."
Puri's "Viceroy's House" co-star Huma Qureshi said, "Cannot believe #OmPuri ji is no more .. Spoke to him a few days back .. Such an artist had the privilege of working with him recently .. RIP."
Pakistani actress Mahira Khan tweeted, "The world loses a great artist, truly one of Indian cinema's best. Rest In Peace #OmPuri."
Bengali star Prosenjit Chatterjee said, "Can't believe that Om Puriji is no more amongst us, life is so unpredictable.Rest in peace sir."
"RIP Om uncle we will miss your talent warmth and laughter always #ompuri #gem #talent #greatsoul," actress Shruti Haasan said.
Actress Swara Bhaskar added, "Tragic tragic tragic! RIP #OmPuri sir.. Exceptional artist! But legends do not die.. They live forever.. I couldn't' work with you, my great regret!"
Filmmaker Rakesh Roshan tweeted, "#OmPuri the legendary actor and friend will always remain within us, may his soul rest in peace."
"RIP #OmPuri saab. You've given us acting goals. You'll always be immortal with such a fine filmography. Tamas, jaane bhi do yaaro, chachi420," Ayushmann Khurrana wrote.
American singer Linda Perry also condoled Puri's death, tweeting, "Om Puri a brilliant actor passed away today. He seemed like such a sweet and beautiful human.
