Om Puri, India's First Crossover Actor: 5 Films That Made Him Popular in The West

One of Bollywood's finest actors, Om Puri, passed away Friday morning leaving the cinema world in grief. Puri who won accolades for his performances in films like Bhavni Bhavai (1980), Sadgati (1981), Ardh Satya (1982), Mirch Masala (1986) and Dharavi and many others, was one of the popular faces in the west as well.

Om Puri was one of the earliest actors of Indian Cinema to work in English films and series. After making his film debut in 1976, Puri made his debut in west in British Miniseries The Jewel in The Crown in 1984. His last west appearance was in American comedy-drama A Hundred Foot Journey in 2014. He also made his Pakistani debut in 2016's Actor in Law, which was also his final appearance as an actor outside India.

Remembering the versatile actor, let's take a look at his crossover project that proved his acting prowess to the world. City of Joy

City of Joy a British drama film directed by Roland Joffé based upon the novel of the same name by Dominique Lapierre, looked at poverty in then-modern India, specifically life in the slums. The film stars Patrick Swayze Shabana Azmi. along with Om Puri. The actor played the role of a rural farmer who even after lot of hardships looked at life with optimism. East Is East

Om Puri again starred in a British film East is East, portraying the Pakistani family man George Khan who is image conscious and wants his children to stay with their roots. The film was a success and established Om Puri as an actor in western cinema. A sequel of the film, West is West was released 2011, due to the popularity of the Khan family. The Parole Officer

One of Om Puri's most recognised work, The Hundred-Foot Journey saw him romancing Helen Mirren. The interesting story of dreams, hopes and food saw Puri in the character of Papa Khan, a patriarch who wants to taste success in mainland Europe.

Be it Indian Cinema or films and series in the west Om Puri conquered it all with his acting skills. The talents of Om Puri established him as a versatile actor from the east and his films will always keep his legacy alive.