Om Puri dies at 66

Veteran actor Om Puri has passed away at 66. A family member said that Puri was "found dead" in his bed at his home in Andheri, Mumbai early morning on Friday. 

Reports suggest that the actor had died of a heart attack.

Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit — a close friend of Puri — took to Twitter to confirm the same. "Sad & shocked to know that versatile actor Om Puri jee has expired due to heart attack early morning today. #RIP," he wrote.

Puri’s body was taken to Cooper hospital for postmortem, following which the funeral will take place. Shabana Azmi confirmed that the funeral will be held in Mumbai in the evening. "[Om Puri] Will be taken to Trishul around 3pm Funeral at Oshiwara electric crematorium around 6pm," she said on a social media website. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took to Twitter to condole his death. “The Prime Minister condoles the passing away of actor Om Puri & recalls his long career in theatre & films,” PMO India tweeted.

Om Puri, who had been working in the Indian film industry for 44 years, in mainstream and arthouse cinema, is known for his iconic roles in films like Ardh Satya, Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron and Mirch Masala.

The Padma Shri awardee also appeared in several British films like Jewel in the Crown and City of Joy.

Om Puri was born in Ambala, Haryana, and later graduated from the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune.