“Om Puriji’s presence is being missed today” – Huma Qureshi on her co-star in Partition: 1947

Partition: 1947 releases this Friday and the most recognizable Indian faces in the film are Late Om Puri and Huma Qureshi. They play father-daughter in the film which is directed by Gurinder Chadha and narrates the tale of what led to the partition of India and Pakistan when Lord Mountbatten unveiled his plan.

“I wish Om-ji was here today. He has a very important part in the film and Partition: 1947 sees one of the last performances. We had a great rapport with each other. He is one person whom I looked up to not just as a senior actor but also for his wisdom. Moreover, he also used to make us all laugh during the shoot. His presence is being missed today big time,” remembers Huma Qureshi.

Om Puri and Huma Qureshi play Muslims in the film who have a tough choice to make during partition. The film’s director Gurinder Chadha went through quite an extensive research, especially by going through top secret British documents which have otherwise been concealed from regular public over the decades.

After working with Gurinder for close to a year, Huma has become quite fond of the director.

“Gurinder is an interesting person and to helm a project like this is indeed special. She is a Punjabi British and has done a great job to bring together an extensive cast from across the globe. Partition: 1947 is not an easy film to make but she has done that remarkably well. We have taken the film internationally and there has been universal acclaim all over. I am now looking forward to audience response in India,” says Huma before signing off.