Om Puri recalls Naseeruddin Shah's shirt gift before FTII interview
Synopsis
A resurfaced video of Om Puri reveals that Naseeruddin Shah not only pushed him to join FTII Pune but handed him his own shirt for the interview because Puri had nothing decent to wear. It is a rare, unscripted glimpse into a friendship that helped shape Indian parallel cinema — and a reminder of how much the movement owed to mutual solidarity among its founding voices.
Key Takeaways
A resurfaced video shows Om Puri recounting how Naseeruddin Shah gave him a shirt to wear for his FTII Pune interview.
Shah repeatedly urged Puri to apply to FTII despite Puri's financial constraints, telling him to 'beg, borrow, steal' to get there.
Puri credited Shah's push above even the mentorship of Govind Nihalani and Shyam Benegal .
Both actors trained at the National School of Drama (NSD) and became central figures of India's parallel cinema movement.
Om Puri passed away on 6 January 2017 ; the video has resurfaced widely online, drawing renewed appreciation for their bond.
A resurfaced video of the late actor Om Puri has reignited appreciation for one of Indian cinema's most celebrated friendships — between Puri and veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah. In the clip, recorded during a candid conversation with actor Anupam Kher, Om Puri recounts how Shah's unwavering support was instrumental in shaping his path to the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune.
The Shirt That Changed a Career
In the video, Om Puri describes arriving for his FTII interview without a presentable shirt. It was Naseeruddin Shah who stepped in — literally giving Puri the shirt off his back. 'When I went for an interview at the Film Institute, I didn't have a decent shirt. So, he gave me his shirt and asked me to remove the one that I was wearing,' Puri recalled.
The gesture was not merely sartorial. Shah had also been the driving force behind Puri's decision to apply to the institute in the first place, reportedly urging him repeatedly despite Puri's financial constraints. 'I told him that I don't have money. I don't even have anything. He said, 'No, you beg, borrow, steal. But, you have to come to the Film Institute',' Puri said.
A Debt Om Puri Never Forgot
Puri was emphatic about the debt he owed Shah, placing him above even his professional mentors. 'I am indebted to him because, Govind Nihalani, Shyam Benegal, I agree that they are my mentors here. But, the push that this guy has given me — if Naseeruddin Shah hadn't pushed me, I wouldn't have reached here today,' he said. The tribute is particularly striking given that both Nihalani and Benegal are towering figures of Indian parallel cinema who worked extensively with Puri.
A Friendship Forged in Theatre and Struggle
The bond between Om Puri and Naseeruddin Shah predates their film careers. Both trained at the National School of Drama (NSD) before going on to become defining voices of India's parallel cinema movement in the 1970s and 1980s. Their shared roots in theatre, combined with a commitment to realistic, craft-driven performance, formed the bedrock of a friendship that lasted decades.
Puri, who passed away on 6 January 2017, worked across Hindi, Punjabi, and international productions, earning recognition from critics and peers alike. Shah has consistently spoken of Puri with deep affection in interviews over the years, reflecting a mutual regard that went well beyond professional courtesy.
Why the Video Is Resonating Now
The clip has circulated widely online, drawing emotional responses from fans of both actors and from those who grew up watching the parallel cinema era. It surfaces at a time when conversations around mentorship, artistic solidarity, and the struggles of actors from non-privileged backgrounds are gaining renewed attention in the Indian film industry. As Puri himself noted in the video, 'These days, you don't find friendship like this' — a line that appears to have struck a chord with a new generation of viewers.
Point of View
Which is a striking inversion of how film history tends to credit institutional figures over peer networks. The parallel cinema movement produced some of India's most enduring performances, yet its backstory of poverty, mutual support, and borrowed shirts rarely surfaces in mainstream retellings. That omission matters: it shapes how the next generation of actors from similar backgrounds understands what the path actually looked like.
NationPress
5 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Naseeruddin Shah do for Om Puri before his FTII interview?
Naseeruddin Shah gave Om Puri his own shirt to wear for the FTII Pune interview because Puri did not have a presentable one. Shah had also persistently encouraged Puri to apply to the institute despite Puri's lack of funds.
What is the FTII and why did it matter for Om Puri's career?
The Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune is India's premier film training institution. For Om Puri, gaining admission was the turning point that connected him to directors like Shyam Benegal and Govind Nihalani and launched his parallel cinema career.
Where did Om Puri and Naseeruddin Shah's friendship begin?
Their friendship began at the National School of Drama (NSD), where both trained before moving into films. Shared struggles, a theatre background, and a commitment to realistic acting formed the foundation of a bond that lasted until Puri's death in 2017.
When did Om Puri pass away?
Om Puri passed away on 6 January 2017. He had a career spanning Hindi, Punjabi, and international productions and was widely regarded as one of India's finest character actors.
Why has this video resurfaced and why is it trending?
The video, featuring Om Puri in conversation with Naseeruddin Shah and Anupam Kher, has recirculated online and resonated with viewers drawn to its candid portrayal of artistic friendship and struggle. It has gained traction amid broader conversations about mentorship and solidarity in the Indian film industry.
