Naseeruddin, Om Puri to be honoured

Bollywood actors Om Puri and Naseeruddin Shah will be honoured by a UK-based film organisation here on Sunday for their contribution to the Indian film Industry.

The honour for Om Puri and Naseeruddin Shahreflects the success of Indian cinema that has been making inroads into 'Crossover cinema' of which these two have truly remained the engine drivers," Pervaiz Alam, director of India-EU Film Initiative said.

He said the incredible success of Shah's 'Monsoon Wedding' and Om Puri's 'East is East' among international audiences illustrates this point.

"These two living legends, who attended the same school of acting and started their film career around the same time, will speak on 'Life and Times in Indian cinema' before an invited audience," Alam said.

Naseeruddin Shah, 56, a former pupil of the 'National School of Drama' and 'Film and Television Institute' started his film career with Shyam Benegal's path-breaking film 'Nishant' (1975).

Shah has received two national awards (Sparsh 1980, Paar 1984), three Filmfare awards (Aakrosh 1980, Chakra 1981, Masoom 1983) and an award at Venice film Festival (Paar 1984). He's well respected in India as an actor. He has also been awarded Padma Vibhushan, India's third highest civilian award.

Om Puri, 56, also studied at the 'National School of Drama' and Film and Television Institute' and made his debut in Ghashiram Kotwal, a film based on noted stage writer Vijay Tendulkar's controversial play.