Mumbai: Veteran Bollywood actor Om Puri died early on Friday after a heart attack. His death has been triggering nationwide flood of condolences from top leaders, fans and the film fraternity.

The sudden demise of one of India’s most talented actors stunned the film industry.

Khalid Kidwai, producer of the actor’s upcoming film ‘Ram Bhajan Zindabad’, said he met Om Puri on Thursday night regarding the promotional activities of the Hindi movie.

‘He was in a happy mood and we conversed till late evening before he went to his friend and actor Manoj Pahwa’s party. In the morning when I learnt about his demise, I was in shock. I still cannot believe it,’ Kidwai told IANS.

Shah Rukh Khan wrote a heartfelt message, saying that Om Puri’s demise was because ‘God’s garden must be beautiful, He always takes the best.’ He also wrote, ‘Will miss ur laughter over the shared brandy in Berlin. Will miss u lots Omji. RIP.’

Amitabh Bachchan also tweeted pictures with the late actor and wrote, ‘Shocked to learn of OM PURI Ji’s passing just now.. a dear friend a lovable colleague and an exceptional talent .. in grief !’

Priyanka Chopra wrote that the legacy of Om Puri’s powerful films will continue to live on, ‘The end of an era .... The legacy lives on.. RIP #OmPuri.’

Madhuri Dixit wrote, ‘Saddened to hear that the fabulous actor #OmPuriji passed away. Loved him in Ardh Satya many more. RIP.’

Addressing him as his inspiration Nawazuddin Siddiqui wrote, ‘The Best Actor in World, An inspiration 2 me & many, he was suppose 2 work with me in Manto.Deeply saddened by da news, RIP #OmPuri Saab’

Expressing his nostalgia Mahesh Bhatt wrote, ‘Goodbye Om! A part of me goes with you today. How can I ever forget those passionate nights we spent together talking about cinema & life?’

Karan Johar twitted, ‘Solid actor....Solid filmography....immense talent.... #RIPOmPuri ....cinema has truly lost a brilliant artist....’

Boman Irani wrote on his versatility, ‘RIP Om Puri. We have lost one of our finest. A talent, A Voice, A Spirit. Will miss you Puri Saab..’

Puri’s ‘Delhi-6’ co-stars Abhishek Bachchan and Sonam Kapoor also mourned the loss of a great talent. Abhishek wrote, ‘Very saddened by the news of Om Puri jis passing. Worked with him on many films and learnt so much from him. Immense talent. #RIPOmPuri,’ while Sonam reminisced, ‘I remember driving with him every morning to set listening to old Hindi music during delhi6, So sorry to hear to hear of his passing #Ompuri.’

Akshay Kumar expressed his condolences to the family, ‘Sad to hear about the passing away of the very talented Om Puri, my co-actor in many films...heartfelt condolences to the family. #RIP’

Alia Bhatt wrote, ‘Deeply saddened to hear about #OmPuri sir! He was such a huge part of the core of Indian cinema..RIP ! Truly an end of an era,’ Anushka Sharma echoed a similar sentiment when she wrote, ‘#OmPuri’s talent and versatility has brought so many characters to life. An inspiration to many actors. May his soul rest in peace.’

Political leaders from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Chief Ministers Mamata Banerjee and Vasundhara Raje mourned his death.

Actor Anupam Kher, a close friend of Om Puri since four decades, tweeted, ‘Seeing him lying on his bed looking so calm can’t believe that one of our greatest actors #OmPuri is no more. Deeply saddened & shocked.’

Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Friday condoled the death of veteran Om Puri, calling him a versatile actor.

‘Om Puri was a gifted actor and socially conscious human being. Indian film industry has lost a pillar,’ Gandhi said.

In one of his last interviews, given to IANS, Om Puri said prophetically on December 23: ‘My contribution will be visible once I leave the world.’