Sep 04, 2017
A biopic on late actor Om Puri is in
the works, says his estranged wife Nandita Puri.
Nandita, who penned the critically acclaimed actor's biography titled
"Unlikely Hero: The Story of Om Puri", told IANS here: "I am adapting
the book. I am making a biopic on Omji. I am taking part of the book
and I am putting it as he wanted, as an inspirational story."
She said she is yet to cast an actor who can essay Om Puri as "it is
difficult to do so".
"We are just at the developing stage of the screenplay. The script is
the most important thing for a film," said Nandita, a journalist
herself.
Om Puri's biography was released in 2009, and the actor was upset with
his wife for highlighting some of his most private sexual incidents.
Things started becoming sour between them from thereon.
The biopic, Nandita says, will have "a few parts from the book and will
mostly be throwing light on his struggle, the way Omji wanted".
"As a journalist, I had gone to interview him. He said, Why don't you
put my life story. He came from a very humble background. He worked at
a tea stall at the age of six to put food for the family on the table.
"His journey involved facing very difficult circumstances... From
literally starving at FTII (Film and Television Institute of India)...
If it hadn't been for Girish Karnad who gave him a film and he got Rs
3000 and managed to get through two years of FTII on that. It was very
difficult.
"Even veteran filmmaker Shyam Benegal had told me that when Omji was
working in Mumbai, he was so poor and thin, he was down with jaundice
and they used to think that he did not know whether the next meal was
coming or not. From that, there are a hundred inspiring incidents from
his childhood -- how he overcame this, how he lived through it, how he
surpassed it," she added.
Om Puri, whose repertoire as an actor reflected a rare realism, died in
January after a heart attack. His death had triggered nationwide
outpouring of condolences from top leaders, fans and the film
fraternity. He was 66.
Known for his deep baritone and distinctive acting style, Om Puri had
an affinity towards socially relevant cinema. This drove him into doing
movies like "Aakrosh" and "Ardh Satya" which proved to be box office
hits.
A National School of Drama alumnus, Om Puri also featured in movies
like "Dharavi" and "Mirch Masala" and explored the comedy genre with
"Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro", "Chachi 420", "Hera Pheri", "Malamaal Weekly" and
more.
Om Puri also nurtured an international career, which started with a
cameo in Richard Attenborough's iconic "Gandhi". Among some of his
British films were "My Son the Fanatic", "East Is East" and "The Parole
Officer". He also appeared in Hollywood films including "City of Joy",
"Wolf" and "The Ghost and the Darkness".