Introduction
One of the prominent Indian actors who played significant roles is the late Amrish Puri, famously known as the villain Mogambo.… Amrish Puri was an Indian actor who was one of the most distinguished figures in Indian films and theatre. He acted in over 450 films between 1967 and 2005, establishing himself as one of the most notable actors in Indian cinema. Puri is remembered for his roles in various film genres, especially as villains in Hindi films, as well as in international films. He often portrayed characters with evil deeds in films from the 1980s and 1990s, and his distinctive voice made him stand out among his contemporaries. Puri won a Filmfare Award for Best Villain.
Birth
He was born in Nawanshehar town in Punjab district, India, on June 22, 1932. His father's name was Lala Nihal Chand, and his mother was Bed Kaur. His brothers, Chaman Puri and Madan Puri, were also actors.
Education
After completing his studies at B.M. College in Shimla, he moved to Bombay city (now Mumbai) with the aim of starting a career in films. His initial attempts to enter this field failed, which led him to take up a job with the Indian Government's Employees' Insurance Corporation. Having a special interest in the film industry, he began acting in a play staged by Prithvi Theatre, titled Prem Pujari, and from that point on, he gradually started his film career.
Filmography
Some of the films he appeared in include: Kachchi Sadak, Mumbai Express, Kisna: The Warrior Poet, Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyo, Hulchul, Aitraaz, Taarzan: The Wonder Car, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Lakshya, Dev, Woh Tera Naam Tha, Dil Pardesi Ho Gayaa, Out of Control, Jaal, The Hero, Khushi, Rishtey, Jaani Dushman, Shararat, Badhaai Ho Badhaai, Nayak, Yaadein, Gadar, Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai, Chori Chori Chupke Chupke, Censor, Zubeidaa, Mohabbatein, Dhaai Akshar Prem Ke, Badal, Shaheed Uddham Singh, Thakshak, Gair, Baadshah, Taal, Jai Hind, Jhooth Bole Kauwa Kaate, China Gate, Doli Saja Ke Rakhna, Koyla, Dhaal, Himalay Putra, Pardes, Virasat, Ghatak, Diljale, Kala Pani, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Hulchul, Karan Arjun, Droh Kaal, Tejasvini, Gardish, Damini, Suraj Ka Satvan Ghoda, Vishwatma, Tehelka, Phool Aur Kaante, Ghayal, Nigahen, Waaris, Shahenshah, Mr. India, Loha, Nagina, Mashaal, Coolie, Gandhi, Manthan, Hulchul, Reshma Aur Shera, and others.
As an actor, he spent his life successfully, particularly as he consistently received various awards. For example, he won the Filmfare magazine award, where he was chosen as the best supporting actor for his films Meri Jung, Ghatak, and Virasat. He also received an award at the film festival held in Sydney, Australia, where he was selected for his performance in the film Suraj Ka Satvan Ghoda.
Amrish Puri received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in recognition of his work in films. He gained international prominence in the film industry around the age of forty, particularly with his first film Reshma Aur Shera, although it was not his first released film, as his first film seen by the public was Prem Pujari.
The actor was known for playing villainous roles in films. He first appeared in such roles in the films Nishant, Manthan, Bhumika, and Suraj Ka Satvan Ghoda. He became iconic as Mogambo when he played a character by that name in the 1987 film Mr. India, directed by Shekhar Kapoor. However, he did not play a villain in all his films; there were films where he played different roles, especially films like Pardes, Gardish, Chori Chori Chupke Chupke, and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge.
Another thing that attracted viewers to Amrish Puri was that, for a period, he shaved his head for the American film Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, where he played the villain named Mola Ram. Seeing how popular it became, he simply continued to keep his head shaved and established a legacy as a prominent actor playing villains in Indian films.
Another interesting trait was his fondness for collecting hats, and it is said that before his death, he had collected over two hundred such hats. It is said that whenever he traveled to a country, he would buy two or more of such hats.
He was a follower of the Shaivite religion and was said to be very diligent in this faith. His last film was Kisna: The Warrior Poet, which was released a few days before his death. He passed away at approximately 7:30 AM on January 12, 2005. He was 72 years old.
His body was taken to his home for people to pay their last respects, and his funeral was held on January 13, 2005, where his body was cremated at Shivaji Park.
Family
He married Urmila Divekar on January 5, 1957, at the Shri Krishna temple in Wadala. The couple had two children, a son named Rajeev Puri and a daughter named Namrata Puri. His son Rajeev is a businessman. He had four grandchildren: Sachi, Harsh Vardhan, Shantanu Bagwe, and Krish Bagwe.