Venkaiah Naidu mourns Om Puri's death, calls it big loss for film industry

Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said Puri's demise is a "big loss to the film industry. As an individual also, he was one of the finest human beings".

"Puri played many unconventional roles in movies like Aakrosh and Ardhsatya. He was known in the world of cinema for his roles in international films such as Gandhi, East is East etc.

"He also held the post of the chairman of National Film Development Corporation of India. He was a Padma Shri awardee and had many accolades, including at the National Film Awards, to his name," Naidu said.

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— M Venkaiah Naidu (@MVenkaiahNaidu) January 6, 2017

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said the actor's death had caused an "irreparable" loss to the film industry. "Puri was a wonderful actor... He won the national film award twice for the best actor and was awarded the Padma Shri in 1990 for his contribution to the film industry," he said in a message.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje said the "cinema world has lost a brilliant artist" in Puri.

Congress leader Ashok Gehlot tweeted: "Heartfelt condolences on the demise of veteran actor OmPuri ji. May his soul rest in peace." 

Heartfelt condolences on the demise of veteran actor #OmPuri ji. May his soul rest in peace..

— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) January 6, 2017