Rare interview: Om Puri on his childhood, Pakistan, Sunny Leone

Om Puri opens up on his child hood, schooling and his 'hot headed' father. He almost dropped out of school when he was in eighth standard.

Master thespian Om Puri lived a full life until a massive heart attack claimed him on Friday. He almost dropped out of school when he was in eighth standard, thanks to his ‘hot-headed’ father’s inconsistent career.

“I don’t blame my parents. They were poor,” he said recollecting his struggles to get education. His elder brother couldn’t resume his studies after 8^th standard. Om Puri would have faced the same.

 Six year old Om Puri was working at a local tea stall when his mother sought her brother’s help to complete his schooling. He stayed with his maternal uncle who took care of his studies till 8^th standard.

“But my father had a fight with my maternal uncle and I was sent back home,” Om Puri said in a free-wheeling interview to Asianet News in February 2016. But he insisted that he would continue in the same school because he was the ‘hero of the school.’ The boy did not think twice before leaving his parents and made the school his home. “It was holidays. I used to cook there. Sometimes, my classmates brought me food. When the school reopened, principal came to know that I was staying in the school and cooking there. He fired me,” the actor said.

 But that was a turning point in his life.

Watch the first part of the interview: 

On his childhood, Pakistan and Sunny Leone

On Pakistan:

A majority of Pakistanis love India, they adore indians, Om Puri said recalling his visits to Pakistan and around the globe. “I haven’t seen a single Pakistani looking at me and say 'Sala Indian.’ And I am not surprised,” Om Puri said.  Pakistanis love us, they adore India. Only a few elements in there spread hatred. But a majority is not affected by this, he said.  

Second part of interview: On his acting career, politics, democracy and dictatorship