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'Om Puri was sometimes our father, sometimes our friend, and always like our mentor'

'Om Puri was sometimes our father, sometimes our friend, and always like our mentor'

Actor in Law's Nabeel Qureshi and Fiza Ali Meerza remember the times they spent with the celebrated actor
17 Jan, 2017

Pakistan’s most successful film last year Actor in Law starred Om Puri in a pivotal role. The film’s director Nabeel Qureshi and producer Fizza Ali Meerza, who also co-wrote the film, remember their association with the celebrated actor who passed away suddenly on January 6.


The first time we spoke to him was after he had read his character in Actor in Law. In the first few sentences of our phone conversation, Om Puri Ji melted away all our nervousness by praising the concept and expressing his willingness to do the role. It was probably the best moment of our lives. Having hung up the phone, we hopped and jumped out of sheer happiness...

The first time we met him was in Karachi. In his hotel room to discuss the scenes and shooting plans, he asked us if we would like to have some tea? We said yes. He then called room service and placed an order for two cups of tea. We were a bit confused. “Sir, three cups…” we tried to intervene. He smiled. “Do mein se teen banjayeinge yaar,” he assured us, “yeh hotel walay zyada dete hain. [We’ll get three cups out of two, yaar, these hotel people give extra anyway.]” Who would have thought a star of Om Puri’s stature would be thinking about saving money for his filmmakers.

When we heard the terrible news of his passing on January 6, our minds raced back to the time we spent together. Ironically, it was the same day last year, January 6, 2016, when we began shooting with him for Actor in Law. It was like a dream come true, working with such a legendary actor. Despite being an actor of such stature, he never let us feel that we were amateurs compared to him. He was very friendly yet professional but the most important thing was getting to know him as a person while working so closely with him.

The first day of our shoot was no different from the last day we shot together. He had a unique uniformity in his behavior be it in terms of professionalism, work ethics, friendliness or his kind concern towards the whole team. He was always full of life and the kind of positive energy he shared with everyone was very rare to see.

He always promoted peace and humanity. When we visited him at his house in Mumbai, he and his son welcomed us holding a flag which read ‘Ye sansaar hamara hai, aman humara naara hai’ [The world is ours, and peace is our slogan.]

He was a big foodie and a great cook. When he was here in Pakistan for shooting he cooked some great vegetarian food for us. And when we were in Mumbai for Actor in Law’s sound, post and his dubbing, he didn’t let us eat on our own even a single day. He took us to all the famous restaurants and eateries and even flew to Delhi one day just to bring back some Kakori and Galawati Kebabs for us. That’s just who he was.

He was magical! He became whatever he wanted to, sometimes acting like our father, sometimes our friend, and always like our mentor. He literally changed our perspective towards life! He always promoted peace and humanity. When we visited him at his house in Mumbai, he and his son welcomed us holding a flag which read ‘Ye sansaar hamara hai, aman humara naara hai’ [The world is ours, and peace is our slogan.]

Om Puri with director Nabeel Qureshi and actors Fahad Mustafa and Mewish Hayat at the Actor In Law launch
Om Puri with director Nabeel Qureshi and actors Fahad Mustafa and Mewish Hayat at the Actor In Law launch

He was a man beyond boundaries who dreamt of living in a peaceful society free of all biases.

Every time he came to Pakistan, his love for the people and the place was extremely pure. I cannot recall him ever refusing his fans for pictures or selfies.

The promotional tour of Actor in Law will remain as one of the most special promotions a film can have. Om Puri Ji spent 12 days with us in five major cities of the country only to promote our film. He told us he had never done this for any other film in his career.

When he was here in Pakistan he cooked some great vegetarian food for us. And when we were in Mumbai, he didn’t let us eat on our own even a single day. He took us to all the famous restaurants and even flew to Delhi one day just to bring back some Kakori and Galawati Kebabs for us. That’s just who he was.

We want all his fans to know that Om Puri was not just a great actor but an even greater human being. We only got to know him for a year but the kind of bond we shared with him was as if we had known him for decades, he was so loving and caring.

We travelled together, we danced together, we worked together. We had a great time with him and we shall cherish it for all our lives. He left us too early, that’s the biggest regret we have.

The last time we spoke to him was on December 29, a week before the tragic news came — we used to call each other quite often. He told us about shooting for Salman Khan’s film. After the shoot he wanted to take a break. We asked him to meet up in Dubai next month, as we planned to go for the Pakistan Super League taking place there in February. He agreed but said it should be for a week, not just three or four days. “Arrey teen chaar din ke liye bhi koi aata hai! [Who comes for just three or four days!]” he asked in his typical style. “Main tumko aisa Dubai dikhaounga saaloun tum ne kabhi dekha nahi hoga! [I will show you the kind of Dubai you haven’t ever seen!]. Those were last words we ever shared.

One meets many people in life; some you instantly forget, the memories of some fade away with time. But some are never to be forgotten. Om Puri Ji was one of those. He shared a very special bond with us, which is difficult to even put into words. We feel blessed to have known him and so unfortunate to have lost him so soon. It makes us emotional to even refer to him in the past tense rather than the present. For us he will remain ‘is’, not ‘was.’

Rest in peace Sir Om Puri Ji. You will continue to live in our memories and our hearts always!!!


Originally published in Dawn, Sunday Magazine, January 15th, 2017

Comments

Hassan (Karachi) Jan 17, 2017 10:30am
RIP, a true legend.
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Sami Jan 17, 2017 10:50am
What a human being he was. Rest in peace Sir.
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P BLR Jan 17, 2017 11:00am
Om Puri a great actor and above all a great human being.
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Umar Farooq Jan 17, 2017 11:05am
We need people Like him.........RIP OM.......
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Omar Jan 17, 2017 11:09am
RIP sir Om Puri, world needs more people like you
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VIn Jan 17, 2017 11:59am
Thats a wonderful tribute for a cinema giant like om puri. Am sure many in India dont know these shades of his personality.
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Alanore Jan 17, 2017 12:06pm
So sad, i wanted to see him in somemore Pakistani films. Great Actor
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levvy body Jan 17, 2017 12:47pm
Greatly appreciate the feelings. From the heart of a human being for another human being.
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RQA Jan 17, 2017 12:51pm
No doubth, he was a legendary hidden treasure of Bollywood and true supporter of Pakistan of Film Industry. Even not being associated with Film Industry, I like watching his characters. How much energy he gives in a movie. It is very true to say by writers that he can fit himself in any character. He was magical RIP
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Richard Thomas Jan 17, 2017 01:39pm
Mere words can never describe a great character like Om Puri Sahib. You feel for him, about him and with him
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MAVERICK Jan 17, 2017 02:02pm
A very natural actor . I never imagined him in comic roles but once he did it it was just too great. I pray for his soul.
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Samad Chaudhry London Jan 17, 2017 02:27pm
Indeed he was a great man and a great humanitarian. Unfortunately Gujrat's and Matai's culture is different to western India like Pakistanis that we just get mingle without hesitation. The hate created by Marathi extreme Hindus has created division between people under the banner of BJP Modi and offshoot of RSS, Sevak Sang etc. God Rest His Soul in Peace.
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Najaf Jan 17, 2017 02:36pm
Respect.
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Seema Jan 17, 2017 03:18pm
A great actor and a great human being....will live in our memories and our hearts always! RIP
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Ijaz Jan 17, 2017 03:18pm
I started crying when I think OM PURI Saheb is no longer with us. A great human being. He always lives in our hearts.
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Tariq Sardar Jan 17, 2017 04:16pm
Man for all season, man who knew no borders, man who preached love. He was very smart, extremely intelligent, witty and a loving character. Saw him on Mazaak Raat, he was hilarious. May your soul rest in peace, You will live in our hearts.
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Rehan Jan 17, 2017 06:42pm
The best of India lost. Forever missed, forever remembered!
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Salman lahore Jan 17, 2017 07:31pm
So we can say, taking Om Puri's example, only act of kindness stays with you and rememberd - doesn't matter your nationality religion or gender. Likewise bad mouthing and bad treatment shown will also be remembered forever....
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saurabh Jan 17, 2017 08:23pm
The Greatness of this actor and person was that he could easily feel the emotions of other and never used to hide his emotions. He was very pure and people like him are rare on earth these days and that is why he is taken away by God.
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KISHORe Deshpande Jan 17, 2017 08:46pm
Excellent article and tribute to one of the finest actors we had. Good to know of this side of his personality.
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Jaago Jan 17, 2017 11:10pm
Wonderful human being first and foremost. Along w Naseer saab the greatest actor of his generation Go in Peace, sir. You will be missed
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Proud Indian Kashmiri Jan 18, 2017 02:18am
Thanks Dawn for publishing such a beautiful article on Om Puri Ji, the legend forever.
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rashid nasim Jan 18, 2017 04:25am
Amazing, Amazing actor. RIP my friend.
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Maria Jan 18, 2017 06:58am
Lovely piece of writing on a wonderful human being and an equally wonderful artist. We will miss you Om ji. You were too good and too human for the fanatics around you.
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Bin Adam Jan 18, 2017 07:10am
In this age of when forces of hate, hostility, greed and religious are engaged in the mayhem and destruction of human peace Ompuri Sahib was an angel of love, compassion, peace and amity for entire humanity. People like them live for ever in the hearts and memories of humanist people of all religions and race and also remain most beloved of Almighty Creator God during their mortal life and there after. In the eyes and hearts of the humanist community such angels of love and peace are greater than the mightiest material rulers and higher than any divisive religious and political leaders. Such noble souls do not belong to any particular religion, race and region but to entire human community of the world. May God rest his soul in eternal peace.
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indiandude123 Jan 18, 2017 08:15am
Just goes to show that even a great person like Om Puri had it faults.
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HUMAN FIRST Jan 18, 2017 10:12am
First a good HUMAN, then a great actor. Simple living, love for all. Far away from dirty politics.
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