Story highlights Om Puri suffered a heart attack at his Mumbai home

Friend describes actor as "a torchbearer of Indian cinema"

New Delhi (CNN) Critically acclaimed Indian actor Om Puri has died at the age of 66.

The star of movies such as "City of Joy" and "East Is East" suffered a heart attack early Friday at his Mumbai home, according to a close friend.

"He was a torchbearer of Indian cinema," actor Anupam Kher told CNN, describing Puri as "a wonderful friend and an amazing person."

Puri was known for his versatility and appeal across global markets. He appeared not only in mainstream Bollywood movies and regional Indian cinema but also British and Hollywood productions.

Puri was one of the lead stars of 2014's "The Hundred-Foot Journey" and also appeared in 2007's "Charlie Wilson's War" and 2012's "The Reluctant Fundamentalist."

Om Puri, right, at a UK screening of "The Hundred-Foot Journey" with Helen Mirren and Manish Dayal.

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