Hindi
Veteran film and TV actor Om Puri passes away
NEW DELHI: Veteran actor Om Puri, who gave countless memorable performances in movies of diverse genres and also on television shows, died at his residence in Mumbai this morning after a massive heart attack. He was 66.
‘Puri passed away this morning due to a heart attack at his residence in suburban Andheri. It’s shocking,’ a family source was quoted by PTI as saying.
From Bollywood to Hollywood, from independent to art films to television, the noted actor, known for his versatility, gave several acclaimed performances. Puri featured in several Indian, Pakistani, British and Hollywood mainstream commercial films. However, as many of his fans said Puri would be remembered more for his stellar roles in TV serial ‘Tamas’ and film ‘Ardh Satya’. He was awarded the Padma Shri, the country’s fourth highest civilian award, in 1990.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled Puri’s demise and recalled his long career in theatre and films. Minister for information and broadcasting M. Venkaiah Naidu too condoled Puri’s death and remembered his contribution to the Indian film and TV industry. Bollywood celebrities, including Akshay Kumar, Karan Johar, Anupam Kher, Javed Akhtar and Mahesh Bhatt, expressed grief over Puri’s demise, calling it a huge loss to Indian cinema.
Born in Ambala, Haryana, in a Punjabi family, Puri graduated from the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune. He was also an alumnus of the 1973 class of National School of Drama, where Naseeruddin Shah was a batch mate. He made his film debut in the 1976 Marathi film ‘Ghashiram Kotwal’.
Some of his notable films include ‘Bhavni Bhavai’, ‘Sadgati, ‘Ardh Satya’, ‘Mirch Masala’, ‘Dharavi’, ‘Aakrosh’, ‘Maachis’, ‘Gupt’, ‘Dhoop’ and ‘Yuva’. He earned international fame in many British films, such as ‘My Son the Fanatic’, ‘East Is East’ and ‘The Parole Officer’. He also appeared in Hollywood films like ‘City of Joy’, ‘Wolf’, ‘The Ghost and the Darkness’, among others.
Hindi
ZEE5, Applause announce new film Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa
Rajat Kapoor’s dark comedy thriller to stream on ZEE5 from April 10
MUMBAI: ZEE5 and Applause Entertainment have announced their next direct-to-digital collaboration, Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa, a darkly comic whodunnit set to stream from April 10.
Produced in association with Mithya Talkies and written and directed by Rajat Kapoor, the film marks the latest addition to a growing slate of genre-diverse titles from the two partners. Their previous collaborations include dramas, psychological thrillers and dark comedies, with this outing leaning into a layered murder mystery.
The film features an ensemble cast including Vinay Pathak, Ranvir Shorey, Waluscha De Sousa and Saurabh Shukla, among others. The narrative promises a mix of satire, strained relationships and hidden tensions, inviting viewers to look beyond the crime to the dynamics that lead up to it.
ZEE5 business head hindi and chief channel officer Andtv Kaveri Das said, “Our collaboration with Applause Entertainment has been instrumental in building a strong slate with titles such as Bloody Brothers, Mithya and Jab Khuli Kitaab. Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa is a natural progression, aligning with our focus on genre-led content that resonates with audiences.”
Applause Entertainment business head movies Sunil Chainani said, “This collaboration with ZEE5 continues to stand out for its diversity of genres and narrative styles. Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa adds a sharp, darkly comic whodunnit to that mix, driven by Rajat Kapoor’s distinct voice.”
Sharing his creative approach, Rajat Kapoor said he was drawn to the emotional layers behind the genre. “I was interested not just in the mechanics of a whodunnit, but the emotional violence that precedes physical violence. These are people who appear close, yet carry unspoken tensions that eventually surface.”
The partnership between ZEE5 and Applause continues to build on a shared focus on distinctive storytelling, with each project exploring a different tone and genre.
With its mix of humour, tension and ensemble storytelling, the film aims to offer more than just a mystery. It promises a closer look at the secrets people keep, and the consequences when they finally come to light.
