# Om Puri

Om Prakash Puri, (18 October 1950 – 6 January 2017) was an Indian actor who appeared in mainstream commercial Hindi films as well as Urdu, Malayalam, Bengali, Kannada, English, Punjabi, Gujarati, Telugu, and Marathi films, as well as independent and art films and also starred in several international cinema. He is widely regarded as one of the finest actors in world cinema. He won two National Film Awards for Best Actor, two Filmfare Awards and India's fourth highest civilian award Padma Shri in 1990. In 2004, he was made an honorary Officer of the Order of the British Empire.
He is best known for his author-backed roles in films like Aakrosh (1980), Arohan (1982), Ardh Satya (1983), television films like Sadgati (1981) and Tamas (1987), light-hearted roles in Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983), Chachi 420 (1997), Hera Pheri (2000), Chup Chup Ke (2006) and Dhol (2007) and several mainstream commercial films throughout his career. He had various collaborations with director Shyam Benegal and Govind Nihalani. Puri also appeared in non-Indian productions in the United States, Pakistan and Britain. In the 1990s, he appeared in My Son the Fanatic (1997) and the comedy drama East Is East (1999), receiving a nomination for the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role.

## Early life

Om Puri was born in Ambala, Haryana. His father, Tek Chand Puri, worked on the railways and in the Indian Army. Puri's parents received no birth certificate and had no records, so his family was unsure of his birth date. But his mother told him he had been born two days after the Hindu festival Dussehra. When he began his schooling, his uncle chose 9 March 1950 as his "official" birthday. However, as an adult when he moved to Mumbai, Puri looked up when Dussehra was celebrated in 1950, to establish his birth date as 18 October.
Puri came from an underprivileged background. When he was six years old, his father who was a railway employee was put behind bars on allegations of theft of cement. This resulted in their family becoming homeless. To make ends meet, Puri's brother, Ved Prakash Puri, worked as a coolie (railway porter) and Puri worked in a local tea shop, did odd jobs and collected coal from nearby railways tracks to support his family. He and his brother's children were later brought up by a maid servant, Shanti.
While working, Puri continued to study. After his primary education, he joined the National School of Drama in Delhi to study theatre acting. A fellow NSD student who became a long-term friend, Naseeruddin Shah, encouraged Puri to follow him to the Film and Television Institute of India in Poona (present-day Pune). In an interview with The Times of India, Puri later recounted his family was so poor that he did not have a decent shirt to wear when he joined FTII. According to Shah, Puri was disappointed by his education at FTII, and also was unable to pay tuition fees—when he became well-known, the institute followed up the debt of ₹280, which Puri refused to pay due to the "impish thrill" of owing them money.

## Career

Puri's first film was Chor Chor Chhup ja, a children's film. During this time, to make ends meet he also worked at the Actors' Studio, where future actors such as Gulshan Grover and Anil Kapoor would be his students.
Subsequently, Puri worked in numerous Indian films, as well as many films produced in the United Kingdom and the United States.
Puri made his debut in the mainstream films genre in the 1976 Marathi film Ghashiram Kotwal, based on a Marathi play of the same name by Vijay Tendulkar. It was directed by K. Hariharan and Mani Kaul in cooperation with 16 graduates of the FTII. He has claimed that he was paid "peanuts" for his best work. Along with Amrish Puri, Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi and Smita Patil, he was among the main actors who starred in what was then referred to as art films such as Bhavni Bhavai (1980), Sadgati (1981), Ardh Satya (1982), Mirch Masala (1986) and Dharavi (1992).
He was critically acclaimed for his performances in many unconventional roles such as a victimized tribal in Aakrosh (1980); Jimmy's manager in Disco Dancer (1982); a police inspector in Ardh Satya (1982), for which he got the National Film Award for Best Actor; a humble husband in Seepeeyan (1984), Vinod's uncle in Zamana the leader of a cell of Sikh militants in Maachis (1996); as a tough cop again in the commercial film Gupt in 1997; and as the courageous father of a martyred soldier in Dhoop (2003).
In 1999, Puri acted in a Kannada film A.K. 47 as a strict police officer who tries to keep the city safe from the underworld—it became a huge commercial hit. Puri's acting in the film is memorable. He rendered his own voice for the Kannada dialogues. In the same year, he starred in the successful British comedy-drama film East is East, where he played a first-generation Pakistani immigrant in Northern England, struggling to come to terms with his far more westernised children.
Puri had a cameo in the highly acclaimed film Gandhi (1982, directed by Richard Attenborough). In the mid-1990s, he diversified to play character roles in mainstream Hindi cinema, where his roles are more tuned to mass audiences than film critics. He became known internationally by starring in many British films such as My Son the Fanatic (1997), East Is East (1999) and The Parole Officer (2001). He appeared in Hollywood films including City of Joy (1992), opposite Patrick Swayze; Wolf (1994) with Jack Nicholson; and The Ghost and the Darkness (1996) opposite Val Kilmer. In 2007, he appeared as General Zia-ul-Haq in Charlie Wilson's War, which stars Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts.
He has worked in Hindi television serials like Kakkaji Kaheen (1988) (roughly meaning "Uncle Says") as a paan-chewing 'Kakkaji', which was a parody on politicians, and Mr. Yogi (1989) as a suave 'Sutradhaar' who enjoys pulling the protagonist's leg. These two serials underlined Om Puri's versatility as a comedian. He received critical acclaim for his performance in Govind Nihalani's television film Tamas (1988) based on a Hindi novel of the same name. He played comic roles in Hindi films like Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro which reached a cult status, followed by Chachi 420 (1997), Hera Pheri (2000), Chor Machaye Shor (2002), Deewane Hue Pagal, Chup Chup Ke, Kismet Connection and Malamaal Weekly (2006) and Oh My God. He was regular in films directed by Priyadarshan and Kamal Haasan.
His notable roles in commercial Hindi films included Drohkaal, In Custody, Narsimha, Ghayal, Mrityudand, Aastha, Hey Ram, Pyar Toh Hona Hi Tha, Farz, Gadar, Lakshya, Dev (2004), Rang De Basanti, Yuva, Singh Is Kinng, Mere Baap Pehle Aap, Billu, Kyunki, Lakshya, Dabangg, Bhaji in Problem, Khap, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Ghayal Once Again. Puri was seen in the role of Mohammad Ali Kasuri in Road to Sangam (2009). In 2010, he appeared in The Hangman. In 2011 he was in the Indian action film Don 2.
He has also worked in some episodes of the TV series Aahat during the second season which was aired between 2004 and 2005 on Sony channel. Other notable television appearances included Bharat Ek Khoj, Yatra, Mr. Yogi, Kakaji Kahin, Sea Hawks, Antaral and Savdhaan India's second season.
In 2014, he appeared opposite Helen Mirren in the comedy-drama The Hundred-Foot Journey. At the time of his death in January 2017, he was working on the Marathi film, 15 August Bhagile 26 January.
Several of his completed films released after his death including Viceroy's House and Tubelight.

## Personal life

Puri married director/writer Seema Kapoor, the sister of actor Annu Kapoor, in 1991, but their marriage ended after eight months.
In 1993, he married journalist Nandita Puri, with whom he had a son named Ishaan. In 2009, Nandita wrote a biography of her husband titled Unlikely Hero: The Story of Om Puri. Upon the book's publication, Puri spoke of his anger at the inclusion of explicit details of his previous relationships. In 2013, Nandita filed an allegation of domestic violence against him, and the two opted for a judicial separation shortly afterwards.
His second wife reported that they kept a "secular house", but that "while Om is not ritualistic, he does not mind others being so". He took "solace in spiritual reading", particularly in the writings of spiritual teacher Eknath Easwaran, many of whose books he shared with friends. Puri seldom took politics seriously, and often found relaxation by cooking or gardening. In an interview to Rajya Sabha TV in 2012, Om Puri spoke about his interest in agriculture and cooking, and suggested that his dream was to open a dhaba by the name Daal Roti.

## Controversies

During the 2011 Indian anti-corruption movement launched by Anna Hazare, Puri targeted the political class by using terms like anpadh(meaning uneducated), nalayak (meaning incompetent), and 'ganwar'(a word often use to describe backward and illiterate), as well as corrupt. The comment did not go down well with members of parliament from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, who sent privilege notices against Puri. He subsequently apologized for his comments, stating that it came out as he was emotionally charged during the moment.
In October 2016, Puri appeared for a debate on a news channel regarding a Hindi film producer's ban on Pakistani actors after the Uri attack. During the debate, he made insulting comments about Indian soldiers which led to heavy criticism on social media. However, Puri later apologised for his comments.

## Death

On 6 January 2017, Puri died at the age of 66, after having a heart attack at his residence in Andheri, Mumbai. He was honoured at the 89th Academy Awards in memoriam segment for his contribution in world cinema.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1975 | Kalla Kalla Bachitko | | |
| 1975 | Chor Chor Chhupja | | |
| 1976 | Ghashiram Kotwall | Ghashiram | Marathi film |
| 1977 | Smothered Voices | | |
| 1977 | Bhumika | | |
| 1977 | Godhuli | Yengta | |
| 1978 | Arvind Desai Ki Ajeeb Dastaan | Rajesh | |
| 1978 | Bhookh | Colonel | |
| 1979 | Shaayad | Nandlal | |
| 1979 | Saanch Ko Aanch Nahin | | |
| 1980 | Sparsh | Dubey | |
| 1980 | Chann Pardesi | Tulsi | Punjabi film |
| 1980 | Bhavni Bhavai | Maanav Bhagat | Gujarati film |
| 1980 | Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Hai | Madhu (mechanic) | |
| 1980 | Aakrosh | Lahanya Bhiku | Won – Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor |
| 1981 | Hari Hondal Bargadar : Share Cropper | | |
| 1981 | Kalyug | Bhavani Pandey | |
| 1981 | Shodh | Surendra | |
| 1982 | Gandhi | Nahari | |
| 1982 | Disco Dancer | David Brown | |
| 1982 | Waqt-Waqt Ki Baat | | |
| 1982 | Raaste Pyar Ke | Suldev | |
| 1982 | Vijeta | Arvind | |
| 1982 | Naseeb Ni Balihari | | Gujarati film |
| 1983 | Gumnaam Hai Koi | | |
| 1983 | Chokh | Jadunath | Bengali film |
| 1983 | Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro | Ahuja | |
| 1983 | Arohan | Hari Mondal | Won – National Film Award for Best Actor |
| 1983 | Ardh Satya | Anant Velankar | Won – National Film Award for Best Actor Nominated – Filmfare Award for Best Actor |
| 1983 | Mandi | Ram Gopal | |
| 1983 | Bekaraar | | |
| 1983 | Ashray | | |
| 1984 | Party | Avinash | |
| 1984 | Maati Maangey Khoon | Durjan Singh | |
| 1984 | Duniya | Vasudev | |
| 1984 | Shrant | | |
| 1984 | Raavan | Samant | |
| 1984 | Paar | Ram Naresh | |
| 1984 | Ram Ki Ganga | Laalu / Lal Dandhwani | |
| 1984 | Tarang | Namdev | |
| 1984 | Sheeshay Ka Ghar | | |
| 1984 | Giddh | Bhashya | |
| 1985 | Paththar | Resham Singh | |
| 1985 | Zamana | Shyamlal | |
| 1985 | Bahu Ki Awaaz | Advocate Jaswant Srivastav | |
| 1985 | Holi | Principal Pandey | |
| 1985 | Nasoor | Dr Sunil | |
| 1985 | Sanjhi | Bhikhu | |
| 1985 | Aghaat | Trade Unionist | |
| 1985 | Debshishu | Poor Labourer | |
| 1986 | Antaheen | | |
| 1986 | Genesis | The weaver | |
| 1986 | New Delhi Times | Ajay Singh | |
| 1986 | Long Da Lishkara | Dittu | Punjabi film |
| 1987 | Debshishu | | |
| 1987 | Mirch Masala | Abu Mian | |
| 1987 | Goraa | | |
| 1987 | Susman | Ramulu | |
| 1987 | Marte Dam Tak | Daulat / D.K. | |
| 1988 | Achanak | | |
| 1988 | Hum Farishte Nahin | Gopi / Tala Master / Murlidhar | |
| 1988 | Ek Hi Maqsad | Dr. Ram Kumar Verma | |
| 1988 | Puravrutham | Raman | Malayalam film |
| 1989 | Shagun | | |
| 1989 | Sava Ser Gehu | | |
| 1989 | Darshana | | |
| 1989 | Ilaaka | Bheema (Raja's Foster Father) | |
| 1990 | Sankranti | | |
| 1990 | Kayedi | | |
| 1990 | Halaat | | |
| 1990 | Ghayal | ACP Joe D'Souza | Nominated – Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor |
| 1990 | Disha | Parshuram 'Pagal Parsa' Sarpat | |
| 1991 | Irada | Shanker | |
| 1991 | Sam & Me | Chetan Parikh | English film |
| 1991 | Narsimha | Suraj Narayan Singh 'Baapji' | |
| 1991 | Meena Bazar | | |
| 1991 | Antarnaad | | |
| 1992 | Karm Yodha | Sub-Inspector Patwardhan | |
| 1992 | Raat | Sharji | |
| 1992 | Raatri | Sharji | Telugu film |
| 1992 | Current | Velu | |
| 1992 | City of Joy | Hazari Pal | English film |
| 1992 | Ankuram | Parvez Hussain | Telugu film |
| 1992 | Dharavi | Rajkaran | |
| 1993 | Aakanksha | | |
| 1993 | Maya Memsaab | | |
| 1993 | The Burning Season | Rajiv Sharma | |
| 1993 | Patang | Mathura | |
| 1993 | In Custody | Deven | |
| 1994 | Ankuram | Satyam | |
| 1994 | Wolf | Dr. Vijay Alezias | English film |
| 1994 | Drohkaal | DCP Abhay Singh | |
| 1994 | Purush | | |
| 1994 | Triyacharitra | Billar | |
| 1995 | Ek Ka Jawab Do | | |
| 1995 | Beparoa | | |
| 1995 | Zakhmi Sipahi | Om Chaudhary | |
| 1995 | Aatank Hi Aatank | Sharad Joshi | |
| 1995 | Brothers in Trouble | Hussein Shah | English film |
| 1995 | Target | Rambharosa | |
| 1995 | Tarpan | Jassu | |
| 1995 | Kartavya | Ghulam Rasul | |
| 1996 | PremGranth | Baliram | |
| 1996 | Krishna | Minister Amar Prabhakar | |
| 1996 | The Ghost and the Darkness | Abdullah | English film |
| 1996 | Maachis | Sanatan | Nominated – Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor |
| 1996 | Ghatak: Lethal | Sachdev | |
| 1996 | Ram Aur Shyam | D.I.G. Suryapratap Thakur | |
| 1996 | Talaashi | Inspector Puri | |
| 1997 | Zameer: The Awakening of a Soul | Jaichand Marwah | |
| 1997 | Gupt: The Hidden Truth | Inspector Udham Singh | Nominated – Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor |
| 1997 | My Son the Fanatic | Parvez | English film |
| 1997 | Bhai | Advocate Satyaprakash | |
| 1997 | Chachi 420 | Banwari lal-Secy | |
| 1997 | Mrityudand | Rambaran Mahto | |
| 1997 | Nirnayak | Inspector Nanak | |
| 1997 | Chupp | Keshav Narang | |
| 1997 | Aastha | Amar | |
| 1998 | Vinashak – Destroyer | Inspector Khan | |
| 1998 | Zor: Never Underestimate the Force | Shah Alam | |
| 1998 | Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha | Inspector Khan | Nominated – Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor |
| 1998 | Such a Long Journey | Ghulam Mohamed | English film |
| 1998 | China Gate | Col. Krishnakant Puri | |
| 1999 | East Is East | George Khan | English film Nominated – BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role |
| 1999 | A.K.47 | Commissioner Yashwant Sinha | Kannada-Telugu film |
| 1999 | Khoobsurat | Dilip Chaudhary | |
| 1999 | Mon petit diable | Tom | French-Hindi Bilingual |
| 2000 | Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge | Bhola Nath | |
| 2000 | Pukar | Colonel Hussein | |
| 2000 | Hey Ram | Subhash Goel | |
| 2000 | Hera Pheri | Khadak Singh | |
| 2000 | Kunwara | Balraj Singh | |
| 2000 | Kurukshetra | Baburao Deshmukh | |
| 2000 | Ghaath | Ajay Pandey | |
| 2000 | Zindagi Zindabad | | |
| 2000 | Bas Yaari Rakho | Tom | |
| 2001 | Farz | ACP Arjun Singh | |
| 2001 | Zahreela | Arun Dev | |
| 2001 | Gadar: Ek Prem Katha | Narrator | |
| 2001 | The Parole Officer | George | English film |
| 2001 | Happy Now? | Tin Man | English film |
| 2001 | The Zookeeper | the Vet | English film |
| 2001 | The Mystic Masseur | Ramlogan | English film |
| 2001 | Indian | Joginder Singh | |
| 2001 | Deewaanapan | Prakash Saxena - Suraj's dad | |
| 2001 | Bollywood Calling | Subramaniam | English film |
| 2001 | Is Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon | | |
| 2002 | Pitaah | Thakur Avadh Narayan Singh | |
| 2002 | Maa Tujhhe Salaam | Narrator | voice |
| 2002 | Kranti | Col. Krishnakanth | |
| 2002 | Ansh: The Deadly Part | Bhagat Pandey | |
| 2002 | Pyaar Diwana Hota Hai | Dr. S. Puri | |
| 2002 | Awara Paagal Deewana | Ballu Bolbachan | |
| 2002 | Shararat | DCP Bhosle | |
| 2002 | Chor Machaaye Shor | DCP Pandey | |
| 2002 | Guru Mahaaguru | Crocodile | |
| 2002 | Ghaav: The Wound | Inspector Gautam | |
| 2002 | Dhruva | Pratap Singh | Kannada film |
| 2003 | Aapko Pehle Bhi Kahin Dekha Hai | Sam | |
| 2003 | Kash Aap Hamare Hote | Yashwant Raj Mankotia | |
| 2003 | Ek Aur Ek Gyarah: By Hook or by Crook | Narrator | Uncredited |
| 2003 | Code 46 | Bahkland | English film |
| 2003 | Miss India: The Mystery | Inspector Yograj | |
| 2003 | Maqbool | Inspector Pandit | |
| 2003 | Chupke Se | Qasim Khan Qayamat | |
| 2003 | Kagaar: Life on the Edge | Sub-Inspector Gokhale | |
| 2003 | Dhoop | Father of Dead Military Man | |
| 2003 | Pyaar Kiya Nahin Jaata | Om Prakash Khurana | |
| 2004 | Yuva | Prosonjit Bhatacharya | |
| 2004 | Aan: Men at Work | Police Commissioner Khurana | |
| 2004 | Dev | Special Commissioner Tejinder Khosla | |
| 2004 | Lakshya | Subedar Maj. Pritam Singh | |
| 2004 | Kyun! Ho Gaya Na... | Mr. Amit Khanna | |
| 2004 | King of Bollywood | Karan Kumar | |
| 2004 | AK-47 | Commissioner Yashwant Sinha | |
| 2004 | Stop! | Anand Mehra | |
| 2005 | Zinda Dil | | |
| 2005 | Kisna: The Warrior Poet | Jumman Miya | |
| 2005 | Mumbai Xpress | ACP S.P. Rao | |
| 2005 | Mangal Pandey: The Rising | Narrator | |
| 2005 | Amar Joshi Shahid Ho Gaya | Writer | |
| 2005 | Kyon Ki | Dr. Khurana | |
| 2005 | Deewane Huye Paagal | Mehboob / Scientist Khurana | |
| 2005 | The Hangman | Shiva Sathe | |
| 2006 | Rang De Basanti | Amanullah Khan | |
| 2006 | Baghi | Haakam Singh | |
| 2006 | Malamaal Weekly | Balwant 'Balu' | |
| 2006 | Chup Chup Ke | Prabhat Singh Chauhan | |
| 2006 | Baabul | Balwant Kapoor | |
| 2006 | Don: The Chase Begins Again | CBI Officer Vishal Malik | |
| 2007 | Khallas: The Beginning of End | A.C.P. Akhlaq Khan | |
| 2007 | Delhii Heights | Timmy Kohli | |
| 2007 | Panga Naa Lo | Kartar Singh | |
| 2007 | Fool & Final | Father of Rahul / Raja | |
| 2007 | Buddha Mar Gaya | Vidyut Baba / Vidya | |
| 2007 | Victoria No. 203 | Rana | |
| 2007 | Dhol | Tripathi | |
| 2007 | Dum Kaata | Ranade / Aabu | |
| 2007 | Charlie Wilson's War | Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq | English film |
| 2007 | Shoot on Sight | Junaid | |
| 2007 | Welcome | Narrator | |
| 2008 | Yaariyan | Jagpal Bir 'J.B.' Singh | |
| 2008 | Lovesongs: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow | Aftab Jaffrey | |
| 2008 | Mere Baap Pehle Aap | Madhav Mathur | |
| 2008 | Kismat Konnection | Sanjeev Gill | |
| 2008 | Money Hai Toh Honey Hai | Narrator | |
| 2008 | Singh Is Kinng | Rangeela | |
| 2008 | Mukhbiir | SP Intelligence — Rathod | |
| 2008 | Maharathi | ACP Gokhale | |
| 2009 | Chal Chala Chal | Omkar Nath | |
| 2009 | Billu | Sahukaar Daamchand | |
| 2009 | Delhi-6 | Madan Gopal Sharma | |
| 2009 | Baabarr | Daroga Chaturvedi | |
| 2009 | London Dreams | Arjun's uncle | |
| 2009 | Life Goes On | Alok | |
| 2009 | Kurbaan | Bhaijaan | |
| 2009 | Bolo Raam | Inspector Indrajeet Singh Rathi | |
| 2010 | Road to Sangam | Mohammad Ali Kasuri | |
| 2010 | Na Ghar Ke Na Ghaat Ke | Sankata Prasad Tripathi | |
| 2010 | Kushti | Jiten Singh | |
| 2010 | Dabangg | Inspector Kasturilal Vishkarma | |
| 2010 | West Is West | George Khan | English film |
| 2010 | Action Replayy | Rai Bhahadur | |
| 2011 | Teen Thay Bhai | Chixie Gill | |
| 2011 | Kucch Luv Jaisaa | Madhu's Father | |
| 2011 | Love Express | Khadak Singh Bakshi | |
| 2011 | Bin Bulaye Baraati | Sub Inspector Pralay Pratap Singh | |
| 2011 | Khap | Sarpanch | |
| 2011 | Don 2: The King is Back | CBI Officer Vishal Malik | |
| 2011 | Society Kaam Se Gayi | | |
| 2012 | Agneepath | Additional Commissioner Gaitonde | |
| 2012 | Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya | Chaudhary | |
| 2012 | Chaar Din Ki Chandni | Fatoor Singh | |
| 2012 | Mere Dost Picture Abhi Baaki Hai | Baig Saab | |
| 2012 | Krishna Aur Kans | Kans | Voice |
| 2012 | Son of Flower | Munshi Pyare Lal Suman | |
| 2012 | The Reluctant Fundamentalist | Abu | |
| 2012 | Kamaal Dhamaal Malamaal | David | |
| 2012 | OMG: Oh My God! | Hanif Qureshi | |
| 2012 | Chakravyuh | Govind Suryavanshi | |
| 2013 | Policegiri | Commissioner | |
| 2013 | Jatt Boys Putt Jattan De | Jora Vailly | Punjabi film |
| 2013 | Bhaji in Problem | Mr. Dhingra | Punjabi film |
| 2013 | The Lovers | | Uncredited |
| 2014 | Heartless | Dr. Sanjay Trehan | |
| 2014 | Bazaar E Husn | Kishan Chand | |
| 2014 | The Hundred-Foot Journey | Papa Kadam | English |
| 2014 | Aa Gaye Munde U.K. De | Daleep Singh Dhillon | |
| 2014 | Little Terrors | Abdul-Wadood Kamil | |
| 2014 | Chaar Sahibzaade | Narrator | Punjabi film Voice |
| 2015 | Jai Jawaan Jai Kisaan | Dr. Rajendra Prasad | |
| 2015 | Dirty Politics | Laddu Babu aka Sai Kumar Konakandla | |
| 2015 | Leather Life | | Punjabi film |
| 2015 | Jai Ho Democracy | Pandeyji | |
| 2015 | Uvaa | Hukum Pratap Choudhary | |
| 2015 | Miss Tanakpur Haazir Ho | Matang Singh | |
| 2015 | Bajrangi Bhaijaan | Moulana Sahab | |
| 2015 | Welcome Back | Narrator | Voice |
| 2015 | Buniyaad | Bapuji | Punjabi film |
| 2015 | Hogaya Dimaagh Ka Dahi | Mirza Kishan Singh Joseph | |
| 2015 | Trafficker | Supreme Court Judge | English language Singaporean Thai film |
| 2016 | Ghayal Once Again | ACP Joe D'Souza | |
| 2016 | A Million Rivers | Shiv | English |
| 2016 | Aadupuliyattam | Muni | Malayalam film Nominated – IIFA Utsavam for Performance in a Supporting Role – Male |
| 2016 | Project Marathwada | Tukaram | |
| 2016 | Waarrior Savitri | Yamraj | |
| 2016 | Actor In Law | Rafaqat Mirza | Pakistani film |
| 2016 | A Death in the Gunj | O.P Bakshi | |
| 2016 | Mirzya | Munna (Lauhar) | |
| 2016 | Gandhigiri | Rai Saheb | |
| 2016 | Yeh Hai Lollipop | Masoom | |
| 2016 | Chaar Sahibzaade: Rise of Banda Singh Bahadur | Narrator | |
| 2016 | Chapekar Brothers | Bal Gangadhar Tilak | |
| 2017 | Prakash Electronic | Narrator | |
| 2017 | Viceroy's House | Ali Rahim Noor | Posthumous release English film |
| 2017 | The Ghazi Attack | Admiral V.S. Nanda | Posthumous release |
| 2017 | Tiger | | Posthumous release (Kannada film) |
| 2017 | Tubelight | Banne Chacha | Posthumous release |
| 2017 | Mr. Kabaadi | Channulal Surmewala | Posthumous release |
| 2018 | Lashtam Pashtam | Saleem | Posthumous release |
| 2018 | Load Wedding | Raja's Father | Posthumous release, Pakistani film |
| 2019 | The Gandhi Murder | T.G., Director General of Police | Posthumous release |
| 2020 | Gul Makai | General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani | Posthumous release |
| 2020 | Omprakash Zindabaad | Rambhajjan | Posthumous release |
| 2023 | Khela Hobe | Fareek Bhai | Posthumous release |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1981 | Sadgati | Dukhi | Television film |
| 1984 | The Jewel in the Crown | Mr De Souza | British series |
| 1985 | Khandaan | | |
| 1988 | Bharat Ek Khoj | Various characters | |
| 1988 | Kakaji Kahin | Kakaji | |
| 1988 | Tamas | Nathu | Television film |
| 1988–1989 | Mr. Yogi | Narrator | |
| 1993–1994 | Kirdaar | Various characters | |
| 1994 | Woh Chokri | | Television film |
| 1997 | Aahat | Randhir magician | 1 episode |
| 1997 | Sea Hawks | Uncle Sam | |
| 1999 | Antaral | Shreevee | |
| 2001 | CID | Joe Santose | episodes: The Case of Counterfeit Cop Part I and II |
| 2002 | Achanak 37 Saal Baad | Narrator | episode 1 opening scene narration |
| 2002 | White Teeth | Samad Miah Iqbal | British TV serial |
| 2002–2003 | Jasoos Vijay | Presenter | |
| 2003 | Second Generation | Sharma | Television film |
| 2003 | The Canterbury Tales | Jetender | British series |
| 2013 | Hum Ne Li Hai... Shapath | ACP Vishvanath | Cameo |

## Awards and nominations
### Civilian awards

* 1990: Padma Shri – India's fourth highest civilian award.

### Film awards

| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result |
| National Film Awards ||||
| 1982 | Best Actor | Arohan | Won |
| 1984 | Best Actor | Ardh Satya | Won |
| Filmfare Awards ||||
| 1981 | Best Supporting Actor | Aakrosh | Won |
| 1984 | Best Actor | Ardh Satya | Nominated |
| 1991 | Best Supporting Actor | Ghayal | Nominated |
| 1992 | Best Performance in a Negative Role | Narsimha | Nominated |
| 1997 | Best Supporting Actor | Maachis | Nominated |
| 1998 | Best Performance in a Comic Role | Chachi 420 | Nominated |
| 1998 | Best Supporting Actor | Gupt: The Hidden Truth | Nominated |
| 1999 | Best Supporting Actor | Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha | Nominated |
| 2009 | Lifetime Achievement Award | Lifetime Achievement Award | Won |
| BAFTA Awards ||||
| 2000 | Best Actor in a Leading Role | East Is East | Nominated |
| Karlovy Vary International Film Festival ||||
| 1984 | Best Actor | Ardh Satya | Won |

### Other honours

* 1998: Grand Prix Special des Amériques at the Montreal World Film Festival for exceptional contribution to the cinematographic art.
* 2004: Honorary Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to The British Film Industry.