Indian star Om Puri passes away aged 66

Veteran Indian cinema icon Om Puri who acted for more than 40 years has died at the age of 66.

The actor suffered a heart attack at his residence in Mumbai early on Friday, the media reported.

Puri made his cinematic debut with Bollywood but soon became famous in the western cinema too.

Actor of mainstream and art films, the late Indian star appeared in hit movies such as ‘East is East’ and ‘Gandhi’.

Known for his roles in Indian, Pakistani, British and Hollywood films, Puri won awards and nominations, including winning the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award in India.

The popular Indian star also acted in major Hollywood hits, featuring alongside the likes of Jack Nicholson and Tom Hanks.

He was born in Haryana state to a Punjabi family in 1950.  He made his film debut in 1976 with the Marathi film Ghashiram Kotwal.

Many Indian directors, actors and politicians paid tribute to the veteran Indian star.

FM/AG