New Delhi [India]: Condoling the sad demise of ‘versatile actor’ Om Puri, Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Friday said the former was a gifted actor and socially conscious human being, adding that the Indian film industry has lost a pillar.
“In this hour of grief, Smt Gandhi has hoped that his family and admirers find peace and strength,” the Indian National Congress tweeted.
Resonating similar views, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi said Om Puri was one of the finest talents of Indian cinema and theatre.
“Om Puri will live on through the many unforgettable characters he brought to life,” he tweeted.
The 66-year-old died of a heart attack at his residence in Mumbai this morning.
The veteran actor, who starred in several award-winning Indian movies and also featured in crossover ventures, was born on October 18, 1950, to a Punjabi family in Ambala, Haryana.
The actor, who had more than 100 films to his credits, was also an alumnus of the 1973 class of the National School of Drama (NSD) where Naseeruddin Shah was a co-student.
He was honoured with Padma Shri and two National Film Awards during his acting career that stretched for more than four decades. (ANI)