# Om Puri

> Indian actor (1949–2017)

**Wikidata**: [Q80309](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q80309)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Om_Puri)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/om-puri

## Summary
Om Puri was an Indian film and television actor whose career spanned from 1976 until his death in 2017. He was one of India's most celebrated performers, earning the National Film Award for Best Actor and becoming an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.

## Biography
- Born: October 18, 1949
- Died: January 6, 2017
- Nationality: Indian
- Education: Film and Television Institute of India, National School of Drama
- Known for: Pioneering acting career in Indian cinema and international films
- Field(s): Film acting, television acting

## Contributions
Om Puri revolutionized Indian cinema through his powerful performances in both mainstream and art films. He trained at India's premier institutions - the Film and Television Institute of India (established 1960) and the National School of Drama (established 1959), bringing method acting techniques to Indian screens. His work period from 1976 to 2017 encompassed over four decades of transformative performances that bridged parallel cinema and commercial films.

## FAQs
**What awards did Om Puri receive during his career?**
Om Puri received India's highest acting honor, the National Film Award for Best Actor, which has been awarded annually since 1968. He was also appointed as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, receiving this British honor for his contributions to cinema.

**Where did Om Puri receive his acting training?**
Om Puri studied at two of India's most prestigious institutions - the Film and Television Institute of India and the National School of Drama, both established in the late 1950s and early 1960s to formalize professional acting training in India.

**What types of acting did Om Puri specialize in?**
Om Puri worked extensively as both a film actor and television actor, appearing in productions across 52 Wikipedia language editions and earning recognition as a versatile performer who could transition between different mediums.

## Why They Matter
Om Puri transformed Indian acting through his method approach and powerful screen presence. As one of the first Indian actors to gain significant international recognition, he opened doors for future generations of Indian performers in global cinema. His four-decade career demonstrated the possibility of maintaining artistic integrity while achieving commercial success, influencing countless actors who followed. Without his pioneering work, the crossover between Indian and international cinema would have developed much more slowly.

## Notable For
- National Film Award for Best Actor recipient - India's highest acting honor instituted in 1968
- Officer of the Order of the British Empire - rare British honor for an Indian actor
- Alumnus of both Film and Television Institute of India and National School of Drama
- Career spanning 41 years from 1976 to 2017
- Recognized across 52 Wikipedia language editions
- Pioneered the bridge between parallel cinema and mainstream Indian films

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Born on October 18, 1949, in India, Om Puri grew up in a country that had just gained independence two years earlier. He pursued his passion for acting at India's premier institutions, first attending the National School of Drama which was established in 1959 as the country's leading theatre training institute. He further honed his craft at the Film and Television Institute of India, founded in 1960, where he developed the method acting techniques that would define his career.

### Acting Career
Om Puri began his professional acting career in 1976, embarking on a journey that would last until 2017. His work encompassed both film and television, making him one of India's most versatile performers. Throughout his 41-year career, he became known for his intense, realistic portrayals that brought a new level of authenticity to Indian cinema. His performances were characterized by deep emotional depth and technical precision, reflecting his formal training at India's top drama institutions.

### Recognition and Awards
Throughout his illustrious career, Om Puri received numerous accolades that cemented his legacy as one of India's greatest actors. He won the National Film Award for Best Actor, India's most prestigious acting honor that has been awarded annually since 1968. In recognition of his contributions to cinema, he was appointed as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, a significant honor bestowed by the British establishment. His work gained international recognition, with his performances being celebrated across 52 different Wikipedia language editions, demonstrating his global impact on cinema.

### Legacy
Om Puri's death on January 6, 2017, marked the end of an era for Indian cinema. He left behind a body of work that spans four decades and continues to influence actors today. His commitment to realistic, powerful performances helped elevate the standard of acting in Indian films. Through his training at the National School of Drama and Film and Television Institute of India, he represented the first generation of formally trained actors who brought method acting to Indian cinema, forever changing the landscape of Indian film and television acting.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. Integrated Authority File
3. International Standard Name Identifier
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. MusicBrainz
6. [Source](https://lingualibre.org/wiki//Q395530)
7. [Source](https://lingualibre.org/wiki//Q456555)
8. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
9. Find a Grave
10. filmportal.de
11. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
12. Autoritats UB
13. Library of Congress Control Number
14. Quora
15. Cinemathèque québécoise Linked Open Data