Om Shivpuri Biography

Born in 1937 in Rajasthan, Om Shivpuri started his career by working at Jaipur Radio Station, where Sudha Shivpuri, (who later became his wife), was also working at the time. Later, they joined National School of Drama, New Delhi and were trained under theatre doyen Ebrahim Alkazi. After graduating in 1964, they joined the newly formed, NSD ‘Repertory Company’ as actors. Om Shivpuri was also the first Chief of the NSD Repertory Company, and remained so till 1976, when Manohar Singh followed him.

Meanwhile, Om Shivpuri and Sudha Shivpuri got married in 1968, and started their own theatre group ‘Dishantar’, which went on to become one of Delhi pioneering important theatre groups of its era and produced many plays with him as a director, most important being: ‘Aadhe Adhure’, Hindi classic play written by Mohan Rakesh, ‘Khamosh! Adalat Jari Hai’, Hindi version of Vijay Tendulkar's Marathi play ‘Shantata! Court Chalu Aahe’ (Silence! The Court is in Session), with his wife actress Sudha Shivpuri in the lead role; and their most famous production, Girish Karnad’s historical play ‘Tughlaq’, which was performed at ridges of Talkatora Gardens, New Delhi.

Films

Om Shivpuri started his film career in 1971 with Mani Kaul’s Ashad Ka Ek Din, soon followed by Gulzar’s Koshish in 1972. Finally he shifted to Mumbai in 1974. Thereafter in his career spanning over two decades he acted in over 175 Hindi films playing roles as varied as villains to supporting cast. In his film career spanning over two decades (1971 - 1993), Om Shivpuri essayed a variety of role, in over 175 Hindi films.

His wife Sudha Shivpuri is now a noted TV actor, and most known for her role as 'Baa' in the TV Serial Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. Om Shivpuri, has a daughter, Ritu Shivpuri who is now an Hindi film actor, and had a son, Vineet. Om Shivpuri died in 1990 of a heart attack. Several of his films were released after his death. A National School of Drama, New Delhi, alumni, Om Shivpuri became the first Chief of National School of Drama 'Repertory Company' (1964), and also one of its actors; he later founded an important theatre group of its era, in New Delhi: 'Dishantar'.