Om Puri: Bollywood mourns the loss of an exceptional talent

Mumbai : 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 on Friday following a massive heart attack.
The actor, known for his unforgettable performances in cinema classics like ‘Ardh Satya’, ‘Aakrosh’, ‘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’, tweeted.
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.”