Amrish Puri
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| Amrish Puri | |
|---|---|
 Amrish Puri as Mola Ram in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom |
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| Born | Amrish Lal Puri June 22, 1932 Jalandhar, Punjab, India |
| Died | January 12, 2005 (aged 72) Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Other name(s) | Mogambo |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1970-2005 (His death) |
| Spouse(s) | Urmila Diveker |
Amrish Lal Puri (Punjabi: ਅਮਰੀਸ਼ ਪੁਰੀ, Hindi: अमरीश पुरी, Urdu: اَمریش پُری, 22 June 1932 – 12 January 2005) was an iconic Indian actor who appeared primarily in negative roles in Hindi movies. His most remembered roles are Mogambo in Mr India (1987) and Mola Ram in the Hollywood film Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984).
He played character roles and was well-known as a villain. His striking bass voice, the ability to extend his eyes widely out of their eyelids during climactic scenes and outsize acting style made him a convincing villain in even the most melodramatic movies.
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[edit] Early life and background
Amrish Puri was born in Nawanshahr, Punjab to Lala Nihal Chand and Ved Kaur. He had four siblings, elder brothers Chaman Puri and Madan Puri (both of whom also became actors), younger brother Harish Puri and elder sister Chandrakanta. His son Rajeev Kumar Puri is a business man in Mumbai and his wife is a Dr. Meena Puri. They have two children- Harshvardhan Puri and Sachi Puri. Amrish's daughter is married to Shirish Bagwe, who is a Maharashtrian and they have two children- Krish and Shantanu. Amrish was very close to all his grandchildren.
He graduated from B.M. College in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh.
[edit] Acting career
Amrish Puri came to Mumbai, while his brother Madan Puri was already an established actor, known for playing villain roles. He failed his first screen test and had to find a job with LIC.
Meanwhile he started performing at the Prithvi Theatre, in plays written by Satyadev Dubey, eventually became well-known as stage actor and won the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1979.[1] This theatre recognition soon led to work in television ads and eventually to films at the age of 40.
He went on to work in Hindi, Kannada, Hollywood, Punjabi, Malayalam, Telugu and Tamil films. Though he was successful in all of these industries, he is best known for his work in Bollywood cinema. He has appeared in over four hundred movies. His dominating screen presence and booming voice made him stand out amongst a sea of actors.
Amrish Puri also acted in Indiana Jones and the Temple Of Doom.
[edit] Hindi
In 1970 he appeared in his first film, [Prem Pujari] although the first film he had signed for was [Reshma Aur Sheraaa] which released in 1971.
This was followed by many villain or supporting roles in numerous art films such as Shyam Benegal's Nishant, Manthan, and Bhumika and Suraj Ka Satvan Ghoda. He also appeared in Govind Nihalani's film, Party in 1984.
He attracted a great deal of attention for his work in the 1987 hit film Mr. India, directed by Shekhar Kapur. He played the evil Mogambo, who encouraged his underlings with the phrase, Mogambo khush hua (Mogambo is pleased). The phrase became very popular and remains one of his most famous dialogues.
He became a staple of Hindi films in the 1980s playing mostly villainous roles. He also went on to play many positive supporting roles, including his famous role as Baldev Singh in the Indian blockbuster Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (1995).
While he is best known for his work as a villain, he also played the "good guy" at times. He acted as Group Captain Varghese, a Malayali officer in the Indian Air Force based movie Vijeta, an ailing idealistic father in Ghatak He was a kind-hearted American businessman in Pardes (1997) and a genial grandfather in the films Chori Chori Chupke Chupke and Mujhe Kuchh Kehna Hei. He is also known to play a strict old man in comedy movies like Jhooth Boley Kauwa Kaatey, where he played a retired cop and Muskurahat where he played a retired judge.
His last film was Kachchi sadak. The film was released a few days after his death.
[edit] International
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 the 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 and became one of the most popular villains in Hindi Cinema.
[edit] Malayalam
He starred as the sadistic jailor in Kalapani in which co-acted Padmashri Mohanlal, the biggest name of Malayalam cinema industry.
[edit] Punjabi
He is best known in Punjabi cinema for his role as the landlord villain Joginder Singh in the legendary film Chan Pardesi (1980). He also starred as the villain Zalam Singh in the religious Punjabi film Sat Sri Akal (1977). After twenty years, he returned to Punjabi cinema to make a brief appearance as the Sufi Saint in the acclaimed film Shaheed Uddham Singh (2000).
[edit] Telugu
He also appeared in Telugu movies such as Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari, Major Chandrakanth, Aditya-369, Kondaveeti Donga, Aswamedham, Aakhari Poratam etc.
[edit] Tamil
He appeared in the Tamil film Dalapathi (1991), directed by Mani Ratnam, opposite Rajnikanth and Mammootty, Tamil and Malayalam superstars respectively. After Dalapathi, Amrish Puri made his second and last appearance in the Rajinkanth's film "Baba" (2002) in which he played the role of an evil tantrik who helps politicians and other evil elements to succeed in their hideous schemes.
[edit] Kannada
He acted in some Kannada movies during the early days of his career. He played the protagonist role in a black & white off beat Kannada movie Kaadu directed by Girish Karnad.He also acted in some other mainstream films.
[edit] Personal life
He married Urmila Divekar on 5 January 1957, at the Shri Krishna Temple in Wadala. The couple have two children, son Rajeev Puri and daughter Namrata Puri. His son Rajeev is a businessman. He has four grandchildren, Sachi, Harsh Vardhan, Shantanu Bagwe and Krish Bagwe. His daughter-in-law, Meena, is a professional physiotherapist.
Amrish had a passion for collecting hats, and bought a hat or two on every trip abroad. He had a collection of over 200 hats from across the world. Amrish was a very religious person by heart and a Shiva devotee.
[edit] Death
He died in Mumbai in 2005 after a brain hemorrhage at the age of 72. His autobiography The Act of Life was published in 2006 and is seen as the document of the cinema of his times.[2]
[edit] Awards
- 1968, Maharashtra State Drama Competition
- 1979, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Theatre
- 1986, Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award, Meri Jung
- 1991, Maharashtra State Gaurav Puraskar
- 1994, Sydney Film Festival, Best Actor Award – Suraj Ka Satvan Ghoda
- 1994, Singapore International Film Festival, Best Actor Award – Suraj Ka Satvan Ghoda
- 1997, Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award, Ghatak
- 1997, Star Screen Award for Best Supporting Actor, Ghatak
- 1998, Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award, Virasat
- 1998, Star Screen Award for Best Supporting Actor, Virasat
[edit] Filmography
Amrish Puri acted in more than 400 films between 1967 - 2005. Some of them are listed below.
| Year | Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Prem Pujari | henchman in church |
| 1971 | Shantata | Court Chalu Aahe |
| Reshma Aur Shera | Rehmat Khan | |
| Hulchul | Public Prosecutor | |
| 1973 | Kaadu (Kannada) | Chandra Gowda |
| Hindustan Ki Kasam | ||
| 1975 | Salaakhen | Master |
| Nishant | Eldest Zamindar | |
| 1976 | Manthan | Mishraji |
| 1977 | Paapi | voice(uncredited)...Michael |
| Alibaba Marjinaa | ||
| Imman Dharam | Dharam Dhayal | |
| Bhumika | Vinayak Kale | |
| 1978 | Kondura | Konduraswamy |
| 1979 | Sawan Ko Aane Do | Chandrika's dad |
| Lakhan | ||
| Jaani Dushman | Man in train | |
| Hamare Tumhare | General MAnager | |
| 1980 | Patthar Se Takkar | |
| Maan Abhiman | Madhuraprasad Chowdhary | |
| Kalyug | Kishan Chand | |
| Chan Pardesi | Joginder Singh | |
| Aakrosh | Dushane, Public Prosecutor | |
| Qurbani | Rakka | |
| Gehrayee | Tantric magician | |
| Dostana | Balwant Singh | |
| Hum Paanch | Veer Pratap Singh | |
| 1981 | Krodhi | Madhavan |
| Naseeb | Don | |
| 1982 | Vijeta | Chief Instructor Varghese |
| Vidhatha | Jagavar Chowdhary | |
| Johny I Love You | ||
| Ashanti | Ranvir | |
| Aadat Se Majboor | Agnihotri (aka Johinder Singh) | |
| Apna Bana Lo | Mr.Joshi | |
| Shakti | J.K.Verma | |
| Gandhi | Khan | |
| 1983 | Mandi | Darvish |
| Hero | Pasha | |
| Haadsa | ||
| Ardh Satya | Anant's Father | |
| Andha Kanoon | Mr.Ram Gupta | |
| Coolie | John D'Costa | |
| 1984 | Zakhmi Sher | Swami Kashinath Singh |
| Yeh Desh | Dhulia | |
| Party | Doctor | |
| Jagir | Lakhan | |
| Duniya | Balwant Singh Kalra | |
| Awaaz | Moolchand | |
| Mashaal | S.K.Vardhan | |
| Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom | Mola Ram | |
| Gangva | Special Appearance | |
| Jhootha Sach | ||
| Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki | Udaybhan | |
| 1985 | Zabardast | |
| Teri Meherbaniyan | ||
| Phaansi Ke Baad | Damodar Seth | |
| Patthar Dil | Rana Surajbhan Singh | |
| Paisa Yeh Paisa | Jugal | |
| Mohabbat | Choudhary | |
| Karmayudh | Sohanlal Puri | |
| Aaj Ke Sholay | Balbir Gupta | |
| Nishan | ||
| Meri Jung | G.D. Thakral | |
| 1986 | Tamas (mini TV series) | |
| Ricky | ||
| Pyar Ho Gaya | ||
| Naseeb Apna Apna | ||
| Nagina | ||
| Mera Dharam | ||
| Kaanch Ki Deewar | ||
| Aap Ke Saath | ||
| Sultanat | Razoulli Al-Jabber Al-Nasser | |
| Janbaaz | Rana Vikram Singh | |
| Samundar | Raiszada Narsingh | |
| Asli Naqli | Durjan Singh | |
| 1987 | Sher Shivaji | |
| Jawab Hum Denge | Dhanraj | |
| Inaam Dus Hazaar | Captain S.P.Singh | |
| Dance Dance | A.M.Singh | |
| Dadagiri | Bhanupratap | |
| Loha | ||
| Pyar Karke Dekho | ||
| Madadgar | Manssory | |
| Mr. India | Mogambo | |
| Hawalaat | Seth Dharam Das | |
| Sadak Chhap | Dharamdas, MP | |
| Pharam Dharam | Shamshera | |
| 1988 | Yateem | Dacoit Porkhiya |
| Saazish | Diwan | |
| Mohabbat Ke Dushman | Shahbaaz Khan | |
| Mar Mitenge | Ajit Singh | |
| Hamara Khandaan | Chandraprakash Singh (Vishal's dad) | |
| Ganga Jamuna Saraswathi | Thakur Hansaj Singh | |
| Aakhari Poratam | Anantananda Swamy | |
| Hun Farishte Nahin | Pashrutam Das/Din Dayal | |
| Shahenshah | J.K.Verma | |
| Waris (TV series) | Dulla | |
| Commando | Marcelloni | |
| Rukhsat | ||
| Dayavan | Inspector Ratan Singh | |
| 1989 | Tujhe Nahin Chhodunga | |
| Suryaa : An Awakening | Gangadhar Chowdhary | |
| Ram Lakhan | Bhisambar Nath | |
| Nigahen : Nagina Part II | voice(uncredited)...Bhairon Nath | |
| Nafrat Ki Aandhi | Chandidas Khurana | |
| Mujrim | Khan | |
| Do Qaidi | K.K | |
| Mil Gayee Manzil Mujhe | ||
| Farz Ki Jung | Jai Kishan (JK) | |
| Ilaaka | Nagar | |
| Daata | Gopal Das | |
| Tridev | Bhujang/Bhairav Singh | |
| Naa-Insaafi | ||
| Batwara | Hanumant Singh | |
| Jaadugar | Mahaprabhu Janak Sagar Jagat Narayan Chintamani | |
| Aag Se Khelenge | Zakha | |
| 1990 | Tejaa | Jarahwar |
| Muqaddar Ka Badshaah | Vikral Singh | |
| Kishen Kanhaiya | Lala Gendamal | |
| Jeene Do | Thakur Sher Bahadur Singh | |
| Hatimtai | ||
| Ghayal | Balwant Rai | |
| Kondaveeti Donga | Gadra | |
| Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari | Mahadrashta | |
| Aaj Ka Arjun | Thakur Bhupendra Singh | |
| Doodh Ka Karz | Raghuvir Singh | |
| 1991 | Shikari : The Hunter | Nahar Singh |
| Trinetra | Singhania | |
| Numbri Aadmi | Rana | |
| Mast Kalandar | ||
| Kohraam | ||
| Aadmi Aur Apsara | ||
| Jigarwala | Dhurjan Singh | |
| Iraada | ||
| Benaam Badsha | Jaikal | |
| Ajooba | Vazir-e-Ala (aka Vazir) | |
| Saudagar | Chuniya | |
| Aditya 369 | ||
| Dharam Sankat | Jagira | |
| Phool Aur Kaante | Nageshwar "Don" | |
| 1992 | Thalapathi | Kalivardhan |
| Vansh | ||
| Time Machine (Incomplete film) | ||
| Tehelka | Dong | |
| Ashwamedham | ||
| Vishwatma | Azghar Jurhad | |
| Zindagi Ek Jua | Bhalla | |
| Deewana | Dhirend (Ravi's uncle) | |
| Muskurahat | Gopichand Verma (Former Justice) | |
| 1993 | Suraj Ka Satvan Ghoda | Mehesar Dalal |
| Sangram | Raja's father | |
| Kundan | ||
| Divya Shakti | Tau (Mafia Don) | |
| Damini | Barrister Indrajit Chaddha (Scheming Lawyer) | |
| Gardish | Purushottam Sathe | |
| 1994 | Tejaswini | Lala Khurana |
| Pramaatma | ||
| Maha Shaktishali | ||
| Elaan | Ramakant Chaudhry | |
| Pehla Pehla Pyaar | Hukam Singh | |
| Droh Kaal | I.G.P Pathak | |
| 1995 | Oh Darling! Yeh Hai India | Don Quixote |
| Kartavya | Thakur Ugranarayan Singh | |
| Karan Arjun | Thakur Durjan Singh | |
| Jai Vikraanta | Thakur Jaswant Singh | |
| Hulchul | Shobraj | |
| Maidan-E-Jung | Thakur Ranvir Singh 'Daata Guru' | |
| Prem | Vanraja | |
| Gundaraj | Police Inspector | |
| Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge | Chaudhry Baldev Singh | |
| Haqeeqat | ACP. Shivcharan | |
| 1996 | Sardari Begum | Hemraj |
| Kala Pani | Mirza Khan | |
| Jaan | Surya Dev Singh | |
| Dilijale | Daka | |
| Vijeta | Wing Commander Varghese | |
| Tu Chor Main Sipahi | Thakur Gajendra Singh | |
| Jeet | Gajraj Choudhary (Underworld Don) | |
| Beqabu | ACP Amritlal Bakshi | |
| Ghatak | Shambu Nath | |
| 1997 | Virasat | Raja Thakur (Best Supporting Actor- Filmfare award) |
| Pardes | Kishorilal | |
| Nimayak | ||
| Itihaas | ||
| Himalay Putra | Malhotra, Seema's father (special appearance) | |
| Dhaal: The Battle of Law Against Law | Pilot Baba | |
| Koyla | Raja Saab | |
| Mahaanta | Seth. Kedar Nath | |
| Tarazu | Appa Rao | |
| 1998 | Sham Ghansham | Collector Bhim Singh |
| Doli Saja Ke Rakhna | Jojo Pinto | |
| Dhoondte Reh Jaaoge | Voice on the phone with Tiger | |
| China Gate | Col. Kewal Krishan Puri | |
| Chachi 420 | Durgaprasad Bhardwaj | |
| Barood | Mr.Singhal | |
| Jhooth Bole Kauwa Kaate | Abhayankar (Police officer) | |
| 1999 | Kaala Samrajya | Kaalkeshwar Singh |
| Lal Baadshah | Thakur Dhayal Singh | |
| Aarzoo | Dayashankar | |
| Zulmi | Balraj Dutt | |
| Jai Hind | ||
| Taal | Jagmohan Mehta | |
| Baadshah | Suraj Singh Thaper | |
| Gair | C.K Oberoi | |
| Thakshak | Nahar Singh (Ishaan's father) | |
| 2000 | Shaheed Uddham Singh | The Sufi Saint |
| Badal | ACP Ranjeet Singh | |
| Dhaai Akshar Prem Ke | Yagvender Gareval | |
| 2001 | Mohabbatein | General Khanna (special appearance) |
| 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) | |
| Yaadein | Jagdish Kumar Malhotra (Ronit's uncle) | |
| Nayak: The Real Hero | Chief Minister Balraj Chauhan | |
| 2002 | Badhaai Ho Badhaai | Mr. Chaddha |
| Shararat | Prajapati | |
| Baba | Tantrik | |
| Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahani | Sadhu (sage) | |
| Rishtey | Yashpal Chaudhary | |
| 2003 | Surya | Thakur |
| 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 | Woh Tera Naam Tha | Ustad Samad Khan |
| Police Force: An Inside Story | Mr. Pandey | |
| Dev | Chief Minister Bhandarker | |
| Lakshya | Brigadier Gautam Puri (Sp. App.) | |
| Garv: Pride and Honour | Inspector Samar Singh | |
| Mujhse Shaadi Karogi | Colonel Dugraj Singh | |
| Taarzan: The Wonder Car | Kartar Singh/Baa Ji | |
| Aitraaz | Mr.Ranjit Roy | |
| Hulchul | Angar Chand | |
| 2005 | Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyo | Narrator |
| Kisna: The Warrior Poet | Bhairo Singh |
[edit] Further reading
- The Act of Life - An Autobiography by Amrish Puri with Jyoti Sabharwal.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
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