Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], May 15: Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah took a nostalgic trip down memory lane as he recently re-watched the iconic 1983 film Ardh Satya on the big screen and shared a heartfelt tribute to the late Om Puri, calling his performance one of the finest in Indian cinema.
Sharing a photo of Om Puri on his Instagram, Shah wrote:
“Revisited Ardh Satya on the big screen last night after ages. Both Sadashiv and Om are at their absolute best. Something Nicholas Ray said about Bogart which really applies to Om, ‘His face was a living reproach.’ He was much more than an actor. He was the very image of our condition.”
Directed by Govind Nihalani with a screenplay by Vijay Tendulkar, Ardh Satya is hailed as a landmark in Indian parallel cinema. Naseeruddin Shah also made a cameo appearance in the film.
Shah praised not only Om Puri but also Sadashiv Amrapurkar, who delivered a chilling performance as the ruthless gangster Rama Shetty.
Om Puri, remembered for his intense acting and distinctive voice, passed away on January 6, 2017. He was known for powerful performances in films such as Aakrosh, Maqbool, Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron, Gandhi, Tamas, and Droh Kaal. His body of work spanned mainstream Indian cinema, art films, Hollywood, and Pakistani films.
Born on October 18, 1950, Om Puri was honored with several prestigious awards during his four-decade-long career, including the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and two National Film Awards.
Fans and fellow artists continue to celebrate his legacy as one of the finest actors in Indian and international cinema.