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Amrish Puri

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Amrish Puri
Amrish Puri.jpg
Amrish Puri at the premiere of The Hero: Love Story of a Spy
Born(1932-06-22)22 June 1932
Nawanshahr, Punjab Province, British India
💀Died12 January 2005(2005-01-12) (aged 72)
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India12 January 2005(2005-01-12) (aged 72)
💼 Occupation
Actor
📆 Years active  1967–2005
👩 Spouse(s)Urmila Diveker (1957–2005)
👶 Children2
👪 RelativesMadan Puri (brother),
K. L. Saigal (first cousin)
Signature
Amrish Puri's signature

Amrish Lal Puri[1] (22 June 1932 – 12 January 2005[2]) was an Indian actor, who was an important figure in Indian theatre and cinema.

He worked with notable playwrights of the time, including Satyadev Dubey and Girish Karnad. He is remembered for playing iconic villainous roles in Hindi cinema as well as other Indian and international film industries. To Indian audiences he is the most remembered for his role as Mogambo in Shekhar Kapur's Hindi film Mr. India (1987), and to Western audiences he is best known as Mola Ram in Steven Spielberg's Hollywood film Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984). Puri won three Filmfare Awards for Best Supporting Actor.[3]

Early life[edit]

Amrish Lal Puri was born in Nawanshahr, Punjab, to Lala Nihal Chand and Ved Kaur.[1] He had four siblings, elder brothers Chaman Puri and Madan Puri (both of whom were also actors), elder sister Chandrakanta, and a younger brother, Harish Puri. He was the first cousin of the actor and singer K. L. Saigal.[4]

Career[edit]

Puri acted in more than 450 films between 1967 and 2005, and was one of the most successful villains in Bollywood. Most of them were hits. Puri first came to Bombay in the early 1950s following the footsteps of his elder brothers - Madan Puri and Chaman Puri, who were already established actors known for playing villainous roles.[5] He failed his first screen test, and instead found a job with the Employees' State Insurance Corporation Ministry of Labour and Employment (ESIC). At the same time, he started performing at the Prithvi Theatre in plays written by Satyadev Dubey. He eventually became well known as a stage actor and won the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1979.[6] This theatre recognition soon led to work in television ads and eventually to films at the relatively late age of 40.

Puri went on to work in Hindi, Kannada, Marathi, Hollywood, Punjabi, Malayalam, Telugu and Tamil films. Though he was successful in many regional films, he is best known for his work in Bollywood cinema.

Through the 1970s, Puri often worked in supporting roles, usually as the henchman of the main villain. He was noticed in the 1980 super-hit movie Hum Paanch in which he played the main villain. After that, he started getting cast as the main villain in other movies. In 1982, Puri played the main villain, Jagavar Choudhary in the Subhash Ghai super-hit film Vidhaata. That year, he again played the main villain, JK in the movie Shakti co-starring Dilip Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan. Next, in 1983, Ghai again cast him as the main villain, Pasha in the hit movie Hero. Puri regularly featured in subsequent Ghai films.

Puri reigned supreme in villainous roles in the 1980s and 1990s. In those decades, there was hardly any Bollywood film that did not feature Puri as a villain[dubious ]. His dominating screen presence and baritone voice made him stand out amongst the other villains of the day.

He is known to international audiences for his roles as Khan in Richard Attenborough's Gandhi (1982) and as the main antagonist Mola Ram in Steven Spielberg's Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984). He shaved his head for the role, and it created such an impression that he kept his head shaved. His bald look gave him the flexibility to experiment with different looks as a villain in subsequent movies. Puri and Spielberg shared a great rapport and Spielberg often said in interviews: "Amrish is my favorite villain. The best the world has ever produced and ever will!"[7]

In villainous roles, Puri is best remembered as "Mogambo" in Mr. India, "Jagavar" in Vidhaata, "Thakral" in Meri Jung, "Bhujang" in Tridev, "Balwant Rai" in Ghayal, Barrister Chadda in Damini and "Thakur Durjan Singh" in Karan Arjun. His comic role in Chachi 420, that he acted alongside Kamal Haasan was highly appreciated.

From the 1990s until his death in 2005, Puri also featured in positive supporting roles in many movies. Some of his notable positive roles are Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Phool Aur Kaante, Gardish, Pardes, Virasat, Ghatak, Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai, China Gate and Mohabbatein. He received the Filmfare Best Supporting Actor award for Meri Jung and Virasat.

Death[edit]

Puri was suffering from myelodysplastic syndrome, a rare kind of blood cancer, and had undergone brain surgery for his condition after he was admitted to the Hinduja hospital on 27 December 2004. His condition required frequent removal of the blood accumulated in the cerebral region of the brain and after some time he slipped into a coma shortly before his death around 7:30 a.m on 12 January 2005.[8]

His body was brought to his residence for people to pay their last respects, and his funeral was on 13 January 2005 at Shivaji Park crematorium.[9]

Awards[edit]

Wins[edit]

Nominations[edit]

Filmography[edit]

Amrish Puri acted in more than 400 films between 1970 and 2005.

Year Title Role Notes
1970 Prem Pujari Jerry, Henchman in church
1971 Aahat - Ek Ajeeb Kahani
Reshma Aur Shera Rehmat Khan
Shantata! Court Chalu Aahe Marathi film
Hulchul Public Prosecutor
1973 Sone Ke Haath
Kaadu Chandra Gowda Kannada film
Hindustan Ki Kasam
1975 Salaakhen Master
Nishant Eldest Zamindar
Daaku
1976 Manthan Mishraji
1977 Smothered Voices
Immaan Dharam Dharam Dhayal
Bhumika Vinayak Kale
Sat Sri Akal
Rangaa Aur Raja
Paapi Michael Uncredited
Gyaniji
Alibaba Marjinaa Jabbar
1978 Kondura Konduraswamy
Hungama Bombay Ishtyle Jaggu Ustad
Bandie Anand
1979 Hamare Tumhare General Manager
Jaani Dushman Man in Ghost train reading horror story
Sawan Ko Aane Do Chandrika's dad
Naiyya
Lakhan
1980 Chann Pardesi Joginder Singh
Aakrosh Dusane, Public Prosecutor
Qurbani Rakka
Gehrayee Tantric magician
Dostana Balwant Singh
Hum Paanch Veer Pratap Singh
Patthar Se Takkar Dr. Anand
Maan Abhiman Madhuraprasad Chowdhary
1981 Krodhi Madhavan
Kalyug Kishan Chand
Naseeb Don
Be-Shaque Gopal
Nai Imarat
1982 Ek Aur Sangraam
Apna Bana Lo Mr.Joshi
Ashanti Raja Bhishm Bahadur Singh
Aadat Se Majboor Agnihotri (a.k.a. Johinder Singh)
Shakti J.K. Verma
Johny I Love You Zalim Singh
Gandhi Khan
Vidhaata Jagavar Chowdhary
Vijeta Chief Instructor Varghese
Sugandh
Main Inteqaam Loonga Goverdhan Das (GD)
1983 Nishaan
Andha Kanoon Mr.Ram Gupta
Ardh Satya Anant's Father
Coolie John D'Costa
Mandi Darvish
Hero Pasha
Haadsa R.K. Chakravarty
Bekhabar
1984 Bhool
Aakhir
Mashaal S.K.Vardhan
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom Mola Ram
Insaaf Kaun Karega Bhanupratap
Gangvaa Special Appearance
Duniya Balwant Singh Kalra
Jagir Lakhan
Awaaz Moolchand
Jhootha Sach Kolga
Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki Udaybhan Singh
Zakhmi Sher Swami Kashinath Singh
Yeh Desh Dhulia
Party Doctor
Bandh Honth
Gandu Bherunda Professor Jai Kannada Film
1985 Aaj Ke Sholay Balbir Gupta
Mohabbat Choudhary
Zabardast Balram Singh
Meri Jung G.D. Thakral Filmfare Best Villain Award,
Teri Meherbaniyan Thakur Vijay Singh
Phaansi Ke Baad Damodar Seth
Patthar Dil Rana Surajbhan Singh
Paisa Yeh Paisa Jugal
Karmayudh Sohanlal Puri
Aghaat Chakradev
1986 Pyar Ho Gaya Sapna's Father
Kaanch Ki Deewar Bhoop Singh
Aap Ke Saath Persha
Sultanat Razoulli Al-Jabber Al-Nasser
Janbaaz Rana Vikram Singh
Begaana A.P. Lall
Samundar Raiszada Narsingh
Asli Naqli Durjan Singh
Dosti Dushmani
Ek Aur Sikander Sher Khan
Tamas (mini TV series)
Ricky
Naseeb Apna Apna
Nagina Baba Bhaironath
Mera Dharam Thakur Digvijay Singh
Maa Ki Saugandh
On Wings of Fire Nihavand ruler
1987 Khazana Narrator Uncredited
Loha Sher 'Shera' Singh
Dadagiri Bhanupratap
Madadgar Sunita's Mama
Dance Dance A.M.Singh
Mr. India Mogambo
Hawalaat Seth Dharam Das
Sadak Chhap Dharamdas, MP
Kaun Jeeta Kaun Haara
Pharam Dharam Shamshera
Sher Shivaji
Jawab Hum Denge Dhanraj
Inaam Dus Hazaar Captain S.P.Singh
Dil Tujhko Diya Mohla
Dance Dance Raja Bahadur A.M. Singh
Raj Kapoor (film) Himself
1988 Hum Farishte Nahin Pashrutam Das / Din Dayal
Shahenshah J.K.Verma Uncredited
Khoon Bahaa Ganga Mein
Waris Dulla K. Singh
Mohabbat Ke Dushman Shahbaaz Khan
Commando Marcelloni
Rukhsat Jagdish Chopra
Janam Janam Yuvraj Thakur Balbir Singh
Dayavan Inspector Ratan Singh
Ganga Jamuna Saraswathi Thakur Hansaj Singh
Yateem Dacoit Porkhiya
Saazish Diwan
Mar Mitenge Ajit Singh
Hamara Khandaan Chandraprakash Singh (Vishal's dad)
Aakhari Poratam Anantananda Swamy (Telugu Movie)
1989 Jurrat Kama
Mil Gayee Manzil Mujhe
Suryaa: An Awakening Gangadhar Chowdhary
Do Qaidi K.K
Farz Ki Jung Jai Kishan (JK)
Ilaaka Nagar
Daata Gopal Das
Naa-Insaafi Billa
Tridev Bhujang / Bhairav Singh Nominated- Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award
Batwara Hanumant Singh
Hisaab Khoon Ka Ranvir Pushp
Jaadugar Mahaprabhu Janak Sagar Jagat Narayan Chintamani
Aag Se Khelenge Zakha
Tujhe Nahin Chhodunga
Ram Lakhan Bhisambar Nath
Nigahen : Nagina Part II Bhairon Nath Voice, Uncredited
Nafrat Ki Aandhi Chandidas Khurana
Mujrim Khan
Mera Farz
1990 Vidrohi
Kondaveeti Donga Khaadra /SP Telugu film
Hatim Tai
Naaka Bandi Mangal Singh / Santhal
Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari Mahadrashta Telugu film
Ghayal Balwant Rai
Aaj Ka Arjun Thakur Bhupendra Singh
Doodh Ka Karz Raghuvir Singh Marathi Film
Tejaa Jarahwar
Qayamat Ki Raat Shera
Muqaddar Ka Badshaah Vikral Singh
Kishen Kanhaiya Lala Gendamal
Kaarnama
Jeene Do Thakur Sher Bahadur Singh
1991 Trinetra Singhania
Mohabbat Pehli Nazar Mein
Jigarwala Dhurjan Singh
Iraada
Benaam Badsha Jaikal
Ajooba Vazir-e-Ala (a.k.a. Vazir)
Saudagar Chuniya Nominated- Filmfare Best Villain Award
Aditya 369 Antique Collector Telugu Movie
Dharam Sankat Jagira
Phool Aur Kaante Nageshwar "Don"
Thalapathi Kalivardhan Tamil film
Shikari : The Hunter Nahar Singh
Numbri Aadmi Rana
Mast Kalandar Raja Sahab
Kohraam
1992 Suraj Ka Satvan Ghoda Mahesar Dalal Sydney Film Festival, Best Actor Award,
Singapore International Film Festival, Best Actor Award
Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama Ravana Voice over in Hindi-dub version
I Love You
Vishwatma Azghar Jurhad
Vansha Vilasrao Chaudhary
Zindagi Ek Jua Bhalla
Deewana Dhirend (Ravi's uncle)
Tahalka General Dong Nominated- Filmfare Best Villain Award
Muskurahat Gopichand Verma (Former Justice) Nominated- Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award
Time Machine (Incomplete film)
Ashwamedham Telugu film
1993 Divya Shakti Tau (Mafia Don)
Kundan Thakur Shamsher Singh
Damini Barrister Indrajit Chaddha (Scheming Lawyer) Nominated- Filmfare Best Villain Award
Nippu Ravva Balagam Dhanraj Telugu film
Gardish Purushottam Sathe Nominated- Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award
Sangram Raja's father
Major Chandrakanth Gnaneswara Rao Telugu film
1994 Elaan Ramakant Chaudhry
Maha Shaktishali
Pehla Pehla Pyaar Hukam Singh
Droh Kaal I.G.P Pathak
Tejaswini Lala Khurana
Paramaatma Chaudhry Rudranarayan
1995 Mohabatto Ka Safar
Karan Arjun Thakur Durjan Singh Nominated- Filmfare Best Villain Award
Jai Vikraanta Thakur Jaswant Singh
Maidan-E-Jung Thakur Ranvir Singh 'Daata Guru'
Prem Vanraja
Hulchul Shobraj
Oh Darling! Yeh Hai India! Don Quixote
Gundaraj Police Inspector
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge Chaudhry Baldev Singh Nominated- Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award
Haqeeqat ACP. Shivcharan
Paappi Devataa Ratan Seth
Kartavya Thakur Ugranarayan Singh
1996 Vijeta Wing Commander Varghese
Kala Pani Mirza Khan Malayalam film
Tu Chor Main Sipahi Thakur Gajendra Singh
Jeet Gajraj Choudhary (Underworld Don)
Diljale Dara
Beqabu ACP Amritlal Bakshi
Ghatak Shambu Nath Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award

Star Screen Award for Best Supporting Actor

Smuggler
Sardari Begum Hemraj
Jaan Surya Dev Singh
1997 Khiladi No 1
Koyla Raja Saab Nominated- Filmfare Best Villain Award
Mahaanta Seth. Kedar Nath
Tarazu Appa Rao
Pardes Kishorilal
Chachi 420 Durgaprasad Bhardwaj
Virasat Raja Thakur Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award

Star Screen Award for Best Supporting Actor

Itihaas Pradhan Des Pandey
Nimayak Balwant
Himalay Putra Malhotra, Seema's father (special appearance)
Dhaal: The Battle of Law Against Law Pilot Baba
1998 Sham Ghansham Collector Bhim Singh
Salaakhen Jaspal Rana
Barood Mr.Singhal
Jhooth Bole Kauwa Kaate Abhayankar (Police officer)
Doli Saja Ke Rakhna Jojo Pinto
Dhoondte Reh Jaaoge! Voice on the phone with Tiger
China Gate Col. Kewal Krishan Puri
1999 Lal Baadshah Thakur Dhayal Singh
Aarzoo Dayashankar
Zulmi Balraj Dutt
Jai Hind
Taal Jagmohan Mehta
Baadshah Suraj Singh Thappar Nominated- Filmfare Best Villain Award
Gair C.K Oberoi
Kaala Samrajya Kaalkeshwar Singh
2000 Badal ACP Ranjeet Singh
Ek Ajooba Guruji
Dhaai Akshar Prem Ke Yagvender Gareval
Mohabbatein Major General Khanna (special appearance)
Shaheed Uddham Singh The Sufi Saint
2001 On Wings of Fire Nihavand ruler
Zubeidaa Suleiman Seth
Censor Pandit Shiv Prasad (Censor board member)
Chori Chori Chupke Chupke Kailashnath Malhotra
Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai Balram Singh (Tau of Karan)
Gadar: Ek Prem Katha Mayor Ashraf Ali (Sakina's father) Nominated- Filmfare Best Villain Award

Nominated- Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Negative Role

Yaadein Jagdish Kumar Malhotra (Ronit's uncle)
Nayak: The Real Hero Chief Minister Balraj Chauhan
2002 Badmaash No.1
Badhaai Ho Badhaai Mr. Chaddha
Shararat Prajapati
Baba Tantrik Tamil film
Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahani Sadhu (sage)
Rishtey Yashpal Chaudhary
2003 Khushi Vir Bhadra Singh
The Hero: Love Story of a Spy I.S.I Chief Ishak Khan
Jaal: The Trap Major Amrish Kaul
Out of Control Jatta Singh Bedi (Jaswinder's father)
Dil Pardesi Ho Gayaa Brigadier Sarfaroz Khan
2004 Surya Thakur
Police Force: An Inside Story Mr. Pandey
Love Kannada film
Dev Chief Minister Bhandarker
Lakshya Brigadier Gautam Puri (Sp. App.) Uncredited
Garv: Pride and Honour commissioner of police Samar Singh
Mujhse Shaadi Karogi Colonel Dugraj Singh
Taarzan: The Wonder Car Kartar Singh/Paaji
Aitraaz Mr. Ranjit Roy
Hulchul Angaar Chand
Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyo Narrator
Woh Tera Naam Tha Ustad Samad Khan
2005 Kisna: The Warrior Poet Bhairo Singh (final film role)

Google doodle[edit]

On 22 June 2019, Puri was honoured with a Google Doodle. Commemorating his 87th birthday, Google carried his picture and the accompanying text read as, "If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again—and you might end up like Indian film actor Amrish Puri, who overcame an early setback on the way to fulfilling his big screen dreams."[10]

See also[edit]


Other articles of the topic Bollywood : Josh (2000 film)
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References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Mogambo Amrish Puri lives on: A tribute". Hindustan Times. 11 January 2010. Archived from the original on 16 May 2016. Retrieved 11 May 2016. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  2. "Amrish Puri is Dead". 12 January 2005. Archived from the original on 9 July 2013. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  3. "Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor", Wikipedia, 27 January 2020, retrieved 29 January 2020
  4. K. L. Saigal: The Definitive Biography. Penguin UK. Retrieved 17 October 2016. Search this book on
  5. Singh, Aastha (12 January 2019). "Amrish Puri, Bollywood's 'Mogambo' who was more than just an iconic villain". ThePrint. Archived from the original on 30 July 2019. Retrieved 20 November 2019. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  6. "Amrish Puri- A tribute". www.gatewayforindia.com. Archived from the original on 27 April 2006. Retrieved 20 April 2006. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  7. "'Mogambo' Amrish Puri's Birth Anniversary". Yahoo Movies. 22 June 2012. Archived from the original on 25 June 2013. Retrieved 2 May 2013. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  8. "The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Main News". Tribuneindia.com. Archived from the original on 11 December 2008. Retrieved 21 June 2019. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  9. "Film Villain Amrish Puri Dies". The Washington Post. 13 January 2008. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 14 January 2013. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  10. "Amrish Puri's 87th Birthday June 22,2019". Google. 22 June 2019. Archived from the original on 22 June 2019. Retrieved 22 June 2019. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)

Further reading[edit]

  • The Act of Life – An Autobiography by Amrish Puri with Jyoti Sabharwal.

External links[edit]