Most of us know Om Shivpuri as one of the most popular villains of the 1970s and 1980s, but the exceptional actor was also a renowned name in theatre and worked as an actor and director. Some of his famous work came in films like “Namak Haraam,” “Aandhi,” “Sholay,” and “Don” and plays like “Aadhe Adhure,” “Tughlaq,” and many more.
Early Life
Om Shivpuri was born on July 14, 1938, in Patiala, Punjab, India. He was born into the family of Raj Narain Shivpuri, who belonged to the Kashmiri Pandit community. Details about his parents remain limited, but he grew up in a modest household. His early life involved exposure to local arts, sparking his interest in performance.
He began his career at All India Radio in Jaipur, where he met his future wife, Sudha Shivpuri, whom he married in 1968. He met Sudha Shivpuri there, his future wife, while collaborating on programs. Shivpuri’s passion for acting led him to the National School of Drama (NSD) in New Delhi, where he trained under the legendary Ebrahim Alkazi.
Om Shivpuri On Stage
After graduating in 1963, he became the first chief of the NSD Repertory Company in 1964. He also founded Dishantar, a prominent theatre group in Delhi, which produced many acclaimed plays. Dishantar quickly became known for its innovative and powerful productions. Some of the most notable plays acted or directed by Shivpuri include “Aadhe Adhure,” written by Mohan Rakesh, which explores the complexities of human relationships and the struggles of a middle-class family.
The historical play by Girish Karnad, “Tughlaq,” is set during the reign of the 14th-century Sultan of Delhi, Muhammad bin Tughlaq. Shivpuri’s direction brought the character’s complexities and the play’s themes of idealism and disillusionment to life.
One of his other significant works was “Khamosh! Adalat Jari Hai,” a Hindi adaptation of Vijay Tendulkar’s Marathi play “Shantata! Court Chalu Aahe,” which deals with social issues and the hypocrisy of society. He was also part of plays like Dharamvir Bharati’s “Andha Yug,” Girish Karnad’s “Hayavadana,” and Swadesh Deepak’s “Court Martial.
Om Shivpuri On Screen
In 1971, Shivpuri made his film debut with Mani Kaul‘s critically acclaimed “Ashadh Ka Ek Din.” The film, also starring Arun Khopkar, Rekha Sabnis, and Aruna Irani, was based on a play by Mohan Rakesh. It tells the story of Kalidas’s love triangle with Mallika and Priyangumanjari. Ashadh Ka Ek Din, won the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Movie.
He the acted in Gulzar‘s “Koshish” in 1972, starring Sanjeev Kumar and Jaya Bachchan. In the film he played a sympathetic friend of a Deaf and Mute couple. His performance gave him widespread recognition. In Gulzar’s Achanak (1973), he played the sympathetic Dr. Chaudhary, who became attached to a killer. The story is loosely based on the famous K. M. Nanavati murder case.
He had a close relationship with Gulzar, and after Koshish, he often worked with him in films like Aandhi (1975), Mausam (1975), Khushboo (1975), Meera (1979), and Kitaab (1977).
Other Work
In Anil Gamguly’s Sankoch (1976), the adaptation of Parineeta, Shivpuri played Naveen Babu, father of Jeetendra. One of his most famous character came in Chandra Barot’s blockbuster Don (1978) starring Amitabh Bachchan and Zeenat Aman. In the film he played the iconic “Vardhaan,” the antagonist of the film. He also worked with Amitabh in films like Namak Haraam (1973), Sholay (1975), Immaan Dharam (1977), The Great Gambler (1979), Naseeb (1981), Bemisal (1982), Andhaa Kaanoon (1983), Coolie (1983), and Geraftaar (1985).
In the next few years, he acted in many memorable films like Jeevan Jyoti (1976), Balika Badhu (1976), Hum Kisise Kum Naheen (1977), and Pati Patni Aur Woh (1978). Om Shivpuri acted with almost every top actor of that time including Dharmendra, Jitendra, Rajesh khanna, Amitabh Bachchan, and Vinod Khanna among others.
These films made Shivpuri a respected figure and established him as a seasoned actor. Over the course of his career, he acted in more than 150 films, often playing character roles and villains. Some of his other notable films include Sargam (1979), Insaf Ka Tarazu (1980), Khubsoorat (1980), Bandish (1980), The Burning Train (1980), Kudrat (1981), Arth (1982), Disco Dancer (1982), Ghulami (1985), Geraftaar (1985), Alag Alag (1985), Zakhmi Aurat (1988), Khatron Ke Khiladi (1988), Biwi Ho To Aisi (1988), Daata (1989), Ghar Ka Chiraag (1989), Swarg (1990), Sailaab (1990), and Jurm (1990).
Personal Life
Om Shivpuri and his wife Sudha Shivpuri had two children: Vineet and Ritu Shivpuri. Ritu is also an actress who does films like “Aankhen” and “Ham Sab Chor Hain.”
Shivpuri was known for his strong screen presence and a nuanced understanding of the roles he portrayed. People often say that the film industry never used him to his full potential. His films, like Narsimha (1991), Zulm Ki Hukumat (1992), Yugandhar (1993), and Aakhri Sanghursh (1997), were released posthumously.
Om Shivpuri passed away on October 15, 1990, due to a heart attack. His legacy continues through his contributions to Indian theatre and cinema and the annual Om Shivpuri Memorial Drama Festival held in his honour.
Om Shivpuri on IMDB
