Om Puri gets bail, leaves for shooting in the UK

Om Puri breathed a sigh of relief when on Saturday morning he was granted bail and allowed to leave the country. The beleaguered actor is expected to leave for the UK late on Saturday night for the shooting of his new international film The 100 Foot Journey with the distinguished British actress Helen Mirrem. This brings to an end a week-long drama and trauma in Om’s life when his aggrieved wife Nandita Puri accused him of domestic violence. Nandita was adamant that Om not be allowed to leave the country for his shooting. “Luckily for me the legal system in our country is rational,” Om told this writer with some relief and happiness in his voice. “Yes, I am able to leave for my shooting albeit one day late. Yesterday, on Friday when I expected bail the honourable judge got busy with some other case. So he could look into my case only a day later.” Om has to provide a surety bond of Rs 15,000 before he leaves. Said the actor, “I also have to get myself an international driving licence since I am shown driving in the film that I shoot. So there’s a lot to do before I leave. I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to getting away from the nightmare of my life in India. I promise you I am going to do well in The 100 Foot Journey.”