Somy Ali Recalls Om Puri's Profound Sensitivity During 'Chupp' Filming
In a deeply personal social media post, actress Somy Ali has opened up about the late, revered actor Om Puri's extraordinary sensitivity and care towards her while filming emotionally intense and abusive scenes for the 1997 murder mystery film Chupp. Reflecting on her challenging past, Ali emphasized how Puri's thoughtful approach made a significant difference during the demanding shoot.
A Film Exploring Domestic Violence and Emotional Depth
The film Chupp, which blends a murder mystery narrative with the harrowing plight of a woman facing domestic violence, required Ali to deliver powerful and heavy emotional performances. "While this was a murder mystery combined with a woman's plight facing domestic violence which is no laughing matter, Om ji was very sensitive about my past and I can't stress on how much care he took of me during the abusive scenes," she wrote in her detailed post.
Ali highlighted that Puri's unique remedy was to lighten the mood immediately after intense takes. "His remedy was to make me laugh by telling me amazing jokes the second we heard 'cut.' I feel honored to have worked with all three of my co-stars mentioned above," she added, expressing her gratitude for the experience.
Fond Memories of Bollywood Legends and Personal Journey
Calling herself fortunate to have collaborated with stalwarts of Hindi cinema during her prime years in Bollywood, Somy Ali also expressed deep appreciation for sharing screen space with icons such as Amitabh Bachchan, Jeetendra, Om Puri, and Rajesh Khanna. She fondly recalled a childhood memory where, at age seven, she boldly declared her intention to marry Rajesh Khanna while sitting in his lap during a vacation to India.
In her post, which included a clip from Chupp, Ali elaborated on her motivations and experiences. "It's pointless to post a tbt without a backstory: before leaving India, I had a few boxes to check, work with mom's crushes Amit ji and Jeetu ji. As a bonus I got lucky with my second last movie titled 'Chupp' as I had Mr. Om Puri ji as my lead, Jeetu ji as my protector/mentor and Avi as one of the most natural actors and well mannered people ever to play my boyfriend. I was over the moon!!!" she wrote.
Life Lessons and Culinary Wisdom from Co-Stars
Ali further shared how Jeetendra, whom she described as "the kindest and most talented actor I ever worked with," offered invaluable life tips during breaks, wisdom that continues to resonate with her today. She also reminisced about Om Puri's passion for cooking, noting that she would diligently write down his recipes in Roman English since she cannot read or write Hindi, bringing home culinary knowledge from the set each day.
"Thank you, Om ji as to this day I can make the best daal, biryani and my rotis don't like global maps because of you. They are good human beings as was Om ji and I miss them all tremendously. Thank you to each of them for teaching me a little something about some things a woman must know and understand. I owe you all a great deal for my accomplishments today," Ali concluded, tagging the film and her co-stars in her heartfelt tribute.
This reflection not only sheds light on the supportive environment on the set of Chupp but also underscores the lasting impact of mentorship and camaraderie in the film industry, as Ali cherishes the lessons learned from these legendary figures.
