Om Puri Quotes

Powerful Om Puri for Daily Growth

About Om Puri

Om Puri (October 18, 1950 – January 6, 2017) was an acclaimed Indian film actor renowned for his versatile performances in both Hindi and international cinema. Born in Ambala, Haryana, India, Puri's passion for acting was ignited at the National School of Drama (NSD), New Delhi, where he honed his skills under eminent directors like Satyadev Dubey and Benjamin Gilani. His professional journey began in the late 1970s with roles in films like 'Chashme Buddoor' and 'Ghashiram Kotwal.' However, it was his portrayal of Mahatma Gandhi in Richard Attenborough's 'Gandhi' (1982) that brought him international recognition. This role marked the beginning of Puri's successful collaboration with Western filmmakers, which included roles in 'My Son the Fanatic' (1997), 'The Ghost and the Darkness' (1996), and 'Charlie Wilson's War' (2007). In Indian cinema, Puri was equally prolific, featuring in numerous critically acclaimed films such as 'Ardh Satya,' 'Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron,' 'Mirch Masala,' 'Dharavi,' and 'The Namesake.' His performances were marked by a unique blend of authenticity and intensity that earned him multiple National Film Awards. Puri was also known for his activism, using his platform to speak out on social issues. He was particularly vocal about the plight of Kashmiri Pandits and caste-based discrimination in India. In 2014, Puri was honored with the Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian awards. Tragically, he passed away in January 2017 due to a heart attack, leaving behind a rich body of work that continues to inspire actors and film enthusiasts alike.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I believe in God but I don't want to go to his house."

This quote suggests a personal perspective on spirituality, where Om Puri expresses a belief in the existence of a higher power (God), yet he seems to question or challenge traditional religious practices or beliefs associated with that higher power, symbolized by "his house". It implies a preference for a more individualistic or secular understanding of spirituality.


"There is a huge difference between art and entertainment."

The quote by Om Puri signifies that while both art and entertainment can provide enjoyment, they serve distinct purposes and hold different values. Art, often considered more profound, aims to evoke thought, inspire emotions, challenge perspectives, and reflect society. Entertainment, on the other hand, primarily seeks to amuse, divert, or distract audiences for leisure and pleasure. In essence, Om Puri emphasizes that art is not merely a means of entertainment but a powerful tool for self-expression, cultural preservation, and intellectual growth.


"Every film is like your first love - you give it everything you have."

This quote suggests that for every movie role an actor takes on, they invest all their passion, energy, and heart into it as if it were their first love. It's a profound statement that underscores the deep emotional commitment actors pour into their craft, treating each project with the same intensity and affection as one would when experiencing the initial euphoria of falling in love.


"As an actor, you are the servant of the script."

Om Puri's quote emphasizes that the primary role of an actor is to serve the story and the character as written in the script. This means that an actor should put aside personal preferences or desires and instead focus on delivering a performance that authentically brings the character to life as intended by the writer. In essence, a good actor becomes a vessel for the words, emotions, and actions of the character they are portraying, making them essential elements in storytelling rather than trying to impose their own vision onto the role.


"I'm not here to be a star, I'm here to act."

Om Puri's quote emphasizes his genuine dedication and focus towards acting, rather than seeking personal fame or recognition as a "star." He values the craft of acting itself, viewing it as an essential part of who he is, rather than a means to an end or a platform for personal gain. This approach highlights his commitment to authenticity and artistry in his work.


In western countries, there are roles written for older actors. Films are made on them, including love stories.

- Om Puri

Love, Including, Films, Western Countries

I feel even old people can do a nice love story, but here we don't make that kind of films. In the West, such films are being made and they make a nice romance, which is more like compassion.

- Om Puri

Love, Here, Romance, Old People

I was very sensitive to the environment around, and this disparity in people, seeing beggars and laborers not paid well, used to disturb me. So these emotions in these roles came very naturally to me.

- Om Puri

Emotions, Very, Roles, Laborers

I personally enjoy theatre, but preferably I do films so that I can reach up to maximum audience. If you want to give a serious message, it will reach out to maximum people through films. But through theatre, you can hardly reach out to about 3,000 audience at a time.

- Om Puri

Reach, Through, About, Hardly

What Bollywood lacks is scripts. A lot of the films are copies of western films.

- Om Puri

Lot, Films, Copies, Scripts

Fat noses have no place in the Hindi film industry. But it is not so in the West - otherwise, Anthony Quinn would have never been an actor.

- Om Puri

Been, Otherwise, Noses, Hindi

I have been in the film industry for 35 years, and everyone, including the spot-boys, will vouch for my character.

- Om Puri

Everyone, Been, Including, Film Industry

The fact is I like Mumbai less and less. My son says, 'Baba, let's go for a drive', and I tell him, 'Where's the fun of a drive in this place?' You get caught in a million traffic jams, and you spend time cooped in your car with all that mad cacophony around you.

- Om Puri

Fact, Mumbai, Caught, Traffic

I prefer working in good cinema, wherever it is. I like subjects that have a universal appeal.

- Om Puri

Like, Subjects, Prefer, Wherever

When Nandita expressed a desire to write about me, I couldn't stop her because she's my wife, but she has forgotten who she is.

- Om Puri

Wife, Desire, About, Expressed

Actors are just soldiers who follow commands.

- Om Puri

Follow, Soldiers, Just, Commands

Parallel cinema has not made an effort to communicate in a language the other person understands.

- Om Puri

Communicate, Other, Parallel, Understands

It is my first preference to do films with social significance. Art cinema has given me credibility and status as an actor, but commercial cinema has given me a comfortable living.

- Om Puri

Art, Films, Given, Status

Meeting Helen Mirren was a fabulous experience. I had played it out in my mind, how I should greet her when we would be introduced. But the way we met was funny because I just didn't recognise her!

- Om Puri

Experience, Out, Had, Fabulous

I am grateful to theatre for making me what I am today. But it's not like theatre is my first love. I am equally attached to cinema, which is, actually, a child of theatre, since it borrows heavily from it.

- Om Puri

Love, Grateful, Which, First Love

We have filmmakers who make films with some kind of responsibility and take cinema seriously like Shyam Benegal, Govind Nihalani, Prakash Jha. But now these people also take stars... Without stars they cannot work.

- Om Puri

Some, Without, Filmmakers

As a young man, I was very introverted and quiet, but with a lot of intensity and feelings.

- Om Puri

Intensity, Very, Lot, Introverted

I have no regrets at all. I have done quite well for myself. I didn't have a conventional face, but I have done well, and I am proud of it.

- Om Puri

Proud, Regrets, No Regrets, Conventional

Every person wants to stretch himself and widen his audience. Since Hollywood has got more exposure and is shown all over the world, it's obvious that every actor would want to do an English film and explore himself.

- Om Puri

Stretch, Hollywood, Got, Obvious

In theatre, you've got to make the connect with your audience in the first three minutes. If you haven't, you know you've almost lost them.

- Om Puri

Audience, Minutes, Almost, Connect

When I was at school, I wanted to join the army. At college, I started acting in college plays, and it became a kind of addiction. I was very shy when I was at school, but the plays seemed to give voice to my feelings.

- Om Puri

Voice, College, Became, Addiction

I don't spend on expensive brands. I don't need foreign holidays.

- Om Puri

Holidays, Need, Spend, Brands

Theatre is live content, and you can tell if you have worked your audience.

- Om Puri

Theatre, Audience, Worked, Content

I had hoped when my life was chronicled, it would be an inspirational story.

- Om Puri

My Life, Would, Hoped

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