His ambitions shifted when, as a student at a Punjabi university, he joined a theatre group. With the support of his parents, Puri studied acting for three years at the National School of Drama in New Delhi, where he performed in a wide variety of works ranging from Indian folk plays to Kabuki drama to Shakespeare, the last of which gave him the opportunity to play Hamlet in Hindi.

The actor followed his studies with a stint at the Indian Film Institute in Poona and then decided to try his luck in Bombay, India’s film capital. Although he lacked the classically handsome features of most Indian film stars, Puri was able to find work based on the strength of his previous theatre experience. Once he began appearing on the screen, he found himself in great demand thanks in large part to his seemingly limitless versatility, and he became established over the years as one of his country’s best-known actors.

1. Delhi 6 (2008) (pre-production)
2. Wanted Dead and Alive (2008) (filming)
3. Charlie Wilson’s War (2007) (filming)
4. Shoot on Sight (2008) (post-production)
5. Is Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon (2007) (completed)
6. Dhol (2007)
7. Victoria No. 203 (2007)
8. Buddha Mar Gaya (2007)
9. Fool N Final (2007)
10. Delhii Heights (2007)
11. Baabul (2006)
12. Don (2006/I)
13. Chup Chup Ke (2006)
14. Malamaal Weekly (2006)
15. Rang De Basanti (2006)
16. The Hangman (2005)
17. Deewane Huye Paagal (2005)
18. Amar Joshi Shahid Ho Gaya (2005)
19. The Rising: Ballad of Mangal Pandey (2005)
20. Mumbai Express (2005)
21. Kisna: The Warrior Poet (2005)
22. Stop! (2004)
23. AK 47 (2004)
24. Lakshya (2004)
25. Dev (2004)
26. Aan: Men at Work (2004)
27. Yuva (2004)
28. The King of Bollywood (2004)
29. Dhoop (2003)
30. Kagaar: Life on the Edge (2003)
31. “The Canterbury Tales” – The Sea Captain’s Tale (2003) TV Episode
32. Second Generation (2003) (TV)
33. Chupke Se (2003)
34. Maqbool (2003)
35. Miss India: The Mystery (2003)
36. Code 46 (2003)
37. Ek Aur Ek Gyarah: By Hook or by Crook (2003) (uncredited)
38. Aapko Pehle Bhi Kahin Dekha Hai (2003)
39. Tere Pyaar Ki Kasam (2003)
40. White Teeth (2002) (TV)
41. Chor Machaaye Shor (2002)
42. Shararat (2002)
43. Awara Paagal Deewana (2002)
44. Murder (2002) (TV)
45. Pyaar Diwana Hota Hai (2002)
46. Ansh: The Deadly Part (2002)
47. Kranti (2002)
48. Maa Tujhhe Salaam (2002) (voice)
49. Pitaah (2002)
50. Ghaav: The Wound (2002)
51. Deewaanapan (2001)
52. Indian (2001)
53. The Mystic Masseur (2001)
54. The Zookeeper (2001)
55. Happy Now (2001)
56. The Parole Officer (2001)
57. Gadar: Ek Prem Katha (2001)
58. Farz (2001)
59. Guru Mahaaguru (2001)
60. Bollywood Calling (2001)
61. Ghaath (2000)
62. Kurukshetra (2000)
63. Kunwara (2000)
64. Hera Pheri (2000)
65. Hey Ram (2000)
66. Pukar (2000)
67. Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge (2000)
68. Bas Yaari Rakho (2000)
69. Zindagi Zindabad (2000)
70. Khoobsurat (1999)
71. East Is East (1999)
72. Such a Long Journey (1998)
73. Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha (1998)
74. Vinashak – Destroyer (1998) (as Ompuri)
75. China Gate (1998)
76. Chachi 420 (1998)
77. My Son the Fanatic (1997)
78. Zameer: The Awakening of a Soul (1997)
79. Zor (1997)
80. Bhai (1997)
81. Aastha: In the Prison of Spring (1997)
82. Chupp (1997)
83. Nirnayak (1997)
84. The Death Sentence: Mrityu Dand (1997)
85. Gupt: The Hidden Truth (1997)
86. Ram Aur Shyam (1996)
87. Ghatak: Lethal (1996)
88. Maachis (1996)
89. The Ghost and the Darkness (1996)
90. Krishna (1996)
91. PremGranth (1996)
92. Brothers in Trouble (1995)
93. Aatank Hi Aatank (1995)
94. Target (1995)
95. Kartavya (1995)
96. Purush (1994)
97. Patang (1994)
98. Droh Kaal (1994)
99. Wolf (1994)
100. Triyacharitra (1994)
101. Tarpan (The Absolution) (1994)
102. Woh Chokri (1994) (TV)
103. Maya (1993)
104. Ankuram (1993)
105. The Burning Season (1993)
106. In Custody (1993)
107. Zakhmi Sipahi (1992)
108. City of Joy (1992)
109. Current (1992)
110. Raat (1992)
111. Karm Yodha (1992)
112. Angaar (1992)
113. Dharavi (1992)
114. Iraada (1991)
115. Meena Bazar (1991)
116. Sam & Me (1991)
117. Antarnaad (1991)
118. Narasimha (1991)
119. Patthar (1991)
120. Ghayal (1990)
121. Disha (1990)
122. Ilaaka (1989)
123. “Mr. Yogi” (1989) TV Series
124. Ek Hi Maqsad (1988)
125. Hum Farishte Nahin (1988)
126. “Bharat Ek Khoj” (1988) TV Series
127. Goraa (1987)
128. Susman (1987)
129. Marte Dam Tak (1987)
130. Genesis (1986)
131. Long Da Lishkara (1986)
132. “Yatra” (1986) TV Series
133. “Tamas” (1986) (mini) TV Series
134. New Delhi Times (1986)
135. Zamana (1985)
136. Mirch Masala (1985)
137. Nasoor (1985)
138. Sanjhi (1985)
139. Aghaat (1985)
140. Raavan (1984)
141. Maati Maangey Khoon (1984)
142. Tarang (1984)
143. Paar (1984)
144. Party (1984)
145. Holi (1984)
146. Giddh: The Vulture (1984)
147. Ram Ki Ganga (1984)
148. “The Jewel in the Crown” (1984) (mini) TV Series
149. Disco Dancer (1983)
150. Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983)
151. Chokh (1983)
152. Mandi (1983)
153. Ardh Satya (1983)
154. Bekaraar (1983)
155. Gandhi (1982)
156. Vijeta (1982)
157. Arohan (1982)
158. Kalyug (1981)
159. Sadgati (1981) (TV)
160. Sparsh (1980)
161. Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyon Ata Hai (1980)
162. Bhavni Bhavai (1980)
163. Chann Pardesi (1980)
164. Aakrosh (1980)
165. Saanch Ko Aanch Nahin (1979)
166. Shaayad (1979)
167. Arvind Desai Ki Ajeeb Dastaan (1978)
168. Bhumika: The Role (1977)
169. Godhuli (1977)
170. Ghashiram Kotwal (1976)