Jackie Shroff honours Om Puri on his 76th birth anniversary
Synopsis
On Om Puri's 76th birth anniversary, Jackie Shroff took to Instagram to remember one of India's greatest actors — a man who earned an OBE, appeared in the Oscars' In Memoriam, and effortlessly crossed between art cinema and crowd-pleasing comedies. Few Indian actors have cast as long a shadow, in as many directions, as Om Puri.
Key Takeaways
Jackie Shroff paid tribute to the late Om Puri on his 76th birth anniversary via an Instagram Stories post on 18 October .
Om Puri passed away on 6 January 2017 at age 66 following a heart attack in Mumbai .
He was honoured in the In Memoriam segment at the 89th Academy Awards and received an honorary OBE in 2004 .
Puri's career spanned parallel cinema classics like Ardh Satya , comedies like Hera Pheri , and international productions.
Jackie Shroff currently stars in Ahmed Khan's Welcome To The Jungle , marking Akshay Kumar , Suniel Shetty and Paresh Rawal 's ninth screen collaboration.
Veteran actor Jackie Shroff paid a heartfelt tribute to the late Om Puri on his 76th birth anniversary on 18 October, remembering the legendary performer through a post on his Instagram Stories. Shroff shared two photographs of the celebrated actor, accompanied by the words: 'Remembering Om Puri ji on his birth anniversary.'
A Legacy That Spanned Continents
Om Puri is widely regarded as one of the finest actors in world cinema, having built an extraordinary career that bridged Indian parallel cinema and international film. He received an honorary Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2004, a rare distinction for an Indian actor, recognising his contribution to global cinema.
Puri demonstrated his remarkable range across critically acclaimed films including Aakrosh, Arohan, Ardh Satya, and Disco Dancer, as well as television productions such as Sadgati and Tamas. He also won widespread affection in comedic roles in Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, Chachi 420, Hera Pheri, Chup Chup Ke, and Dhol. His long-standing collaborations with directors Shyam Benegal and Govind Nihalani produced some of Hindi cinema's most enduring social dramas.
Remembered at the Oscars
Om Puri passed away on 6 January 2017 at the age of 66, following a heart attack at his residence in Mumbai. His contribution to world cinema was acknowledged posthumously when he was featured in the In Memoriam segment at the 89th Academy Awards — a recognition rarely accorded to Indian actors outside the festival circuit.
Jackie Shroff's Current Work
Jackie Shroff currently features in director Ahmed Khan's ensemble comedy Welcome To The Jungle, a film with one of the largest star casts assembled in recent Bollywood memory. The ensemble includes Akshay Kumar, Sanjay Dutt, Suniel Shetty, Arshad Warsi, Paresh Rawal, Raveena Tandon, Disha Patani, Lara Dutta, Jacqueline Fernandez, Shreyas Talpade, Aftab Shivdasani, Mika Singh, Johnny Lever, Rajpal Yadav, Krushna Abhishek, Kiku Sharda, Daler Mehndi, Tusshar Kapoor, and Sayaji Shinde, among others.
The film is loosely inspired by the 2005 American film The Producers and the 2008 film Tropic Thunder. Notably, it marks the ninth collaboration between Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal, reuniting the trio on screen after nearly 17 years — their last outing together being Priyadarshan's De Dana Dan.
Why the Tribute Resonates
As admirers and industry peers mark Om Puri's 76th birth anniversary, tributes such as Shroff's continue to underscore the enduring cultural weight of the actor's body of work. Puri remains one of the very few Indian performers to have left a mark across art-house cinema, mainstream commercial films, and international productions simultaneously — a versatility that few of his contemporaries matched.
Point of View
From Govind Nihalani's social realism to mainstream comedies and a British honour, is a template no one in Indian cinema has quite replicated. The fact that his passing was marked at the Oscars' In Memoriam says everything about how the world ranked him, even when the industry sometimes under-utilised him. Bollywood would do well to revisit his catalogue, not just on birth anniversaries.
NationPress
18 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Om Puri's 76th birth anniversary being observed on 18 October 2026?
Om Puri was born on 18 October 1950, making 18 October 2026 the 76th anniversary of his birth. Colleagues and fans across the film industry mark the day to honour his legacy.
How did Om Puri die?
Om Puri died on 6 January 2017 at the age of 66 after suffering a heart attack at his residence in Mumbai. He was honoured posthumously in the In Memoriam segment at the 89th Academy Awards.
What is Om Puri best known for?
Om Puri is celebrated for his roles in parallel cinema classics such as Aakrosh, Ardh Satya, and Tamas, as well as popular comedies like Hera Pheri and Chachi 420. He was also active in international cinema and received an honorary OBE in 2004.
How did Jackie Shroff pay tribute to Om Puri?
Jackie Shroff shared two photographs of Om Puri on his Instagram Stories on 18 October 2026, writing 'Remembering Om Puri ji on his birth anniversary.' The tribute coincided with the actor's 76th birth anniversary.
What is Jackie Shroff's upcoming film?
Jackie Shroff is part of the ensemble cast of Welcome To The Jungle, directed by Ahmed Khan. The comedy features a large cast including Akshay Kumar, Sanjay Dutt, and Paresh Rawal, and is loosely based on the American films The Producers (2005) and Tropic Thunder (2008).
