Gurinder Chadha sad Om Puri won't get to see 'Viceroy's House'

British Indian filmmaker Gurinder Chadha today expressed regret that Om Puri will not get to see her latest film 'Viceroy’s House' which he had finished shooting before his demise today.

The film, which is set for release this year, is a historical drama set in 1947 – the year of India's Independence - capturing the true story of the last days of British rule.

"A terrible, terrible loss. It is just so sad. For him to watch the film was going to be a great pleasure for me. To sit down with him and have a drink after and chat about it. I was looking forward to going to India and showing him the film," said Chaddha, director of the film which also stars British actor High Bonneville and Hollywood actress Gillian Anderson.

"He was so excited when he got the script; he was very excited to be in a film about Independence 35 years after having been in Richard Attenborough's 'Gandhi'. On set, he was very exuberant and very mischievous but also very mindful of the significance of these events," said the UK-based filmmaker behind box-office hits like 'Bhaji on the Beach' and 'Bend it Like Beckham'.

She also recalled how Puri always "relished the idea" of being on set.

"He made shooting with him such a pleasurable experience than just the hard grind.

He had such an amazing talent and career...such commitment to his craft and a consummate professional," she said.

'Viceroy's House' will be among Om Puri's last film releases after he passed away from a sudden heart attack at his home in Mumbai on Friday.