The Hindu : National : `Versatile actor and fine human being'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jan 13, 2005

National

National

`Versatile actor and fine human being'

NEW DELHI, JAN. 12. Congress President Sonia Gandhi today offered condolences on the death of noted actor Amrish Puri. She described his death as a great loss to the country and the entire film industry.

``He was known for his versatile portrayal of different types of roles,'' Congress spokesperson Jayanti Natarajan said in the press briefing here today.

Information and Broadcasting Minister S Jaipal Reddy described the departed film actor as a `versatile actor and a fine human being' and said in his death, the Indian film industry had suffered an irreparable loss.

In a message, Mr Reddy said, "Sri Amrish Puri was not only a versatile artiste but also a fine human being with sterling qualities of heart. He was known for his progressive social views.''

``I am shocked to know that veteran film actor Amrish Puri is no longer with us. I deeply regret his demise and express my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family,'' he said.

Expressing profound shock and grief, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh in his message remembered Puri as a versatile actor with professionalism and talent.

Andhra Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy has said the actor has left an indelible impression on Indian cinema.

In his condolence message, Maharashtra Governor S M Krishna has termed the actor's death as a great loss to the Hindi film industry.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav extolled Puri as a top class actor who gave a new face to the Indian cinema.

Mumbai: Amrish Puri was a superstar in the niche of character actors and was one of best screen villains to hit the celluloid screen after stalwarts like Pran, former Censor Board chief Anupam Kher said today. ``He was one of the finest human beings, who was not only very affectionate but responsible and caring as well.''

``I normally never touch anyone's feet, but he is one person I revered and touched his feet because he commanded that kind of respect. I looked up to him as an elder brother and we shared common bond because of our theatre background and our Shimla origin,'' he said.

``In fact even his persona was larger than life. Profession-wise, he was very methodical. Though he was one of the actors to work in mainstream international film with Speilberg, he was very humble'', Mr. Kher said.

Film maker Subhash Ghai said "the death of Amrish Puri is not a loss only to the film industry but is a huge loss to me emotionally too. At this moment, I can think of him as the best at all levels: a human being, an actor and a friend. Our association for the last 25 years never made us feel like a producer-actor relationship''.

PTI, UNI

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