Om Puri: The Indian star's five best roles

Indian actor Om Puri has died in Mumbai from a heart attack at the age of 66, the BBC reports. The veteran film star made an impact in Indian and western cinemas alike with his ability to play dark, complex characters with verve and subtlety. Here we give a rundown of his five best roles.

Aakrosh, 1980

Puri picked up a Filmfare Best Supporting Actor award for his performance in this influential arthouse film. The satirical work, literally translated as "Cry of the Wounded", sees Puri play a complex character who murders his sister to save her from suffering the same fate as his wife.

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His powerful performance includes a scream that defines the film, writes the Times of India - "a blood-curling expression of repressed rage and helplessness that rents the air" after a "chilling silence throughout the film".

Arohan, 1982

Another of Puri's early Hindi films, Arohan ("The Ascent") has him in a lead role as a poor farmer forced to take on the judicial system. The actor won his second major plaudit for his performance, picking up a National Film Award for Best Actor.

Gandhi, 1982

Puri came to the attention of western audiences with Richard Attenborough's famed biopic starring Ben Kingsley as Mahatma Gandhi. Although his screen time as Nahari lasted barely 90 seconds, Puri told the Indian Express the film "changed the lives of all those who were associated with [it]". He added: "What an impact my cameo made. I believe it was shown as the footage during the Oscar nominations. A huge honour."

Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, 1983

After a run of gritty films, Puri turned his hand to something (slightly) lighter but with equal success. Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro became a cult classic for its satirical account of two photographers who come across a murder. Although it initially flopped, it's since been named as one of the top Bollywood films made.

East is East, 1999

Proving once again his ability to play complex characters, Puri starred as the violent father in this comedy about a Pakistani family trying to adapt to 1970s life in Salford. The low-budget British comedy ended up with a wide-reaching influence, picking up an award for Best British Film at the Baftas.