Education
He graduated from the Film and Television Institute of India. He is also an alumnus of the 1973 class of National School of Drama where Naseeruddin Shah was a co-student.
He graduated from the Film and Television Institute of India. He is also an alumnus of the 1973 class of National School of Drama where Naseeruddin Shah was a co-student.
Puri has worked in numerous Indian films and in many films produced in the United Kingdom and the United States. He made his film debut in the 1976 film ‘’Ghashiram Kotwal’’, based on a Marathi play of the same name. He has claimed that he was paid "peanuts" for his best work. He has collaborated with Amrish Puri as well as Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi and Smita Patil in art films such as ‘’Bhavni Bhavai’’ (1980), ‘’Sadgati’’ (1981), ‘’Ardh Satya’’ (1982), ‘’Mirch Masala’’ (1986) and ‘’Dharavi’’ (1992).
He has been active in cinema. He was critically acclaimed for his performances in many unconventional roles such as a victimized tribal in ‘’Aakrosh’’ (1980) (a film in which he spoke only during flash-back sequences); Jimmy's manager in ‘’Disco Dancer’’ (1982); a police inspector in ‘’Ardh Satya’’ (1982), where he revolts against lifelong social, cultural and political persecution and for which he got the National Film Award for Best Actor; the leader of a cell of Sikh militants in ‘’Maachis’’ (1996); as a tough cop again in the commercial film ‘’Gupt’’ in 1997; and as the courageous father of a martyred soldier in ‘’Dhoop’’ (2003).
In 1999, Puri acted in a Kannada movie ‘’A.K. 47’’ as a strict police officer who tries to keep the city safe from the underworld — it became a huge commercial hit. Puri's acting in the movie is very memorable. He has rendered his own voice for the Kannada dialogues. In the same year, he starred in the successful British comedy film ‘’East is East’’, where he played a first-generation Pakistani immigrant in the north of England, struggling to come to terms with his far more westernised children.
Puri had a cameo in the highly acclaimed film ‘’Gandh’’i (1982). In the mid-1990s, he diversified to play character roles in mainstream Hindi cinema, where his roles are more tuned to mass audiences than film critics.
He has worked in Hindi television serials like ‘’Kakkaji Kaheen’’ (1988) (roughly meaning "Uncle says") as a paan-chewing 'Kakkaji', which was a parody on politicians, and ‘’Mr. Yogi’’ (1989) as a suave 'Sutradhaar' who enjoys pulling the protagonist's leg. These two serials underlined Om Puri's versatility as a comedian.
His more recent Hindi film roles include ‘’Singh Is Kinng’’, ‘’Mere Baap Pehle Aap’’ and ‘’Billu’’. Puri was seen in the role of Mohammad Ali Kasuri in ‘’Road to Sangam’’ (2009). In 2010, he appeared in’’ The Hangman’’. In 2011 he was in the Indian action movie ‘’Don 2.’’
He has also worked in ‘’Aahat TV Series’’ in some episodes during second season which was aired between 2004-2005 on Sony channel. Om Puri would be seen on small screen in a crime show Savdhan India’s second season on Life OK.
He made his film debut in the 1976 film ‘’Ghashiram Kotwal’’, based on a Marathi play of the same name.
He played a police inspector in ‘’Ardh Satya’’, where he revolts against lifelong social, cultural and political persecution and for which he got the National Film Award for Best Actor.
In 1999, Puri acted in a Kannada movie ‘’A.K. 47’’.it became a huge commercial hit.
In the same year, he starred in the successful British comedy film ‘’East is E.’’
He became known internationally by starring in many British films such as ‘’My Son the Fanatic ‘’(1997), ‘’East Is East’’ (1999) and ‘’The Parole Officer’’ (2001). He appeared in Hollywood films including ‘’City of Joy’’ (1992), opposite Patrick Swayze; ‘’Wolf’’ (1994) alongside Jack Nicholson; and ‘’The Ghost and the Darkness’’ (1996) opposite Val Kilmer. In 2007, he appeared as General Zia-ul-Haq in ‘’Charlie Wilson's War’’, which stars Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts.
He received critical acclaim for him performance in Govind Nihalani's television film ‘’Tamas’’ (1987) based on a Hindi novel of the same name. He essayed comic roles in Hindi films like ‘’Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro’’ which reached a cult status, followed by ‘’Chachi 420’’ (1997), ‘’Hera Pheri’’ (2000), ‘’Chor Machaye Shor’’ (2002) and ‘’Malamaal Weekly’’ (2006).
A breach of privilege notice was issued against Om Puri in the Parliament of India for allegedly making derogatory remarks against the politicians during the fast carried out by Anna Hazare for Jan Lokpal Bill at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi in August 2011.
Ghashiram Kotwal
Godhuli
Tabbaliyu Neenade Magane
Bhumika
Arvind Desai Ki Ajeeb Dastaan
Aakrosh
Gandhi
Chann Pardesi
Arohan
Ardh Satya
Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron
Long Da Lishkara
The Jewel in the Crown
Giddh: The Vulture
Mirch Masala
Aghaat
Ek hi Maqsad
Ghayal
Sam & Me
Narsimha
Maya Memsaab
City of Joy
In Custody
Wolf
Drohkaal
The Ghost and the Darkness
Maachis
My Son The Fanatic
Chachi 420
Aastha
Gupt: The Hidden Truth
Such a Long Journey
Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha
Vinashak – Destroyer
East Is East
AK-47
Hey Ram
Kunwara
Hera Pheri
Dulhan hum le jayenge
The Mystic Masseur
Gadar: Ek Prem Katha
The Parole Officer
Awara Paagal Deewana
Dhruva
Chor Machaye Shor
White Teeth
Second Generation
Code 46
Maqbool
Kyun Ho Gaya Na...
Aan: Men at Work
Lakshya
Yuva
Dev
The Hangman
Mumbai Xpress
Rang De Basanti
Malamaal Weekly
Chup Chup Ke
Don: The Chase Begins Again
Fool & Final
Charlie Wilson's War
Mere Baap Pehle Aap
Billu
Singh Is Kinng
London Dreams
Kurbaan
Khap
Dabangg
Action Replayy
West Is West
Don 2: The King is Back
Teen Thay Bhai
Agneepath
Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya
Chaar Din Ki Chandni
Chakravyuh
OMG – Oh My God!
The Reluctant Fundamentalist
