Amrish Puri


Amrish Lal Puri 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, and to Western audiences he is best known as Mola Ram in Steven Spielberg's Hollywood film Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Puri won three Filmfare Awards for Best Supporting Actor.

Early life

Amrish Lal Puri was born in Nawanshahr, Punjab, to Lala Nihal Chand and Ved Kaur. He had four siblings, elder brothers Chaman Puri and Madan Puri, elder sister Chandrakanta, and a younger brother, Harish Puri. He was the first cousin of the actor and singer K. L. Saigal.

Career

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. He failed his first screen test, and instead found a job with the Employees' State Insurance Corporation Ministry of Labour and Employment. 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. 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. 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 and as the main antagonist Mola Ram in Steven Spielberg's Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. 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!"
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, , Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai, China Gate and Mohabbatein. He received the Filmfare Best Supporting Actor award for Meri Jung and Virasat.

Death

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.
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.

Awards

Wins

Amrish Puri acted in more than 400 films between 1970 and 2005.
YearTitleRoleNotes-
1970Prem PujariJerry, Henchman in church-
1971Aahat - Ek Ajeeb Kahani-
1971Reshma Aur SheraRehmat Khan-
1971Shantata! Court Chalu AaheMarathi film-
1971HulchulPublic Prosecutor-
1973Sone Ke Haath-
1973KaaduChandra GowdaKannada film-
1973Hindustan Ki Kasam-
1975SalaakhenMaster-
1975NishantEldest Zamindar-
1975Daaku-
1976ManthanMishraji-
1977Smothered Voices-
1977Immaan DharamDharam Dhayal-
1977BhumikaVinayak Kale-
1977Sat Sri Akal-
1977Rangaa Aur Raja-
1977PaapiMichaelUncredited-
1977Gyaniji-
1977Alibaba MarjinaaJabbar-
1978KonduraKonduraswamy-
1978Hungama Bombay IshtyleJaggu Ustad-
1978BandieAnand-
1979Hamare TumhareGeneral Manager-
1979Jaani DushmanMan in Ghost train reading horror story-
1979Sawan Ko Aane DoChandrika's dad-
1979Naiyya-
1979Lakhan-
1980Chann PardesiJoginder Singh-
1980AakroshDusane, Public Prosecutor-
1980QurbaniRakka-
1980GehrayeeTantric magician-
1980DostanaBalwant Singh-
1980Hum PaanchVeer Pratap Singh-
1980Patthar Se TakkarDr. Anand-
1980Maan AbhimanMadhuraprasad Chowdhary-
1981KrodhiMadhavan-
1981KalyugKishan Chand-
1981NaseebDon-
1981Be-ShaqueGopal-
1981Nai Imarat-
1982Ek Aur Sangraam-
1982Apna Bana LoMr.Joshi-
1982AshantiRaja Bhishm Bahadur Singh-
1982Aadat Se MajboorAgnihotri-
1982ShaktiJ.K. Verma-
1982Johny I Love YouZalim Singh-
1982GandhiKhan-
1982VidhaataJagavar Chowdhary-
1982VijetaChief Instructor Varghese-
1982Sugandh-
1982Main Inteqaam LoongaGoverdhan Das -
1983Nishaan-
1983Andha KanoonMr.Ram Gupta-
1983Ardh SatyaAnant's Father-
1983CoolieJohn D'Costa-
1983MandiDarvish-
1983HeroPasha-
1983HaadsaR.K. Chakravarty-
1983Bekhabar-
1984Bhool-
1984Aakhir-
1984MashaalS.K.Vardhan-
1984Indiana Jones and the Temple of DoomMola Ram-
1984Insaaf Kaun KaregaBhanupratap-
1984GangvaaSpecial Appearance-
1984DuniyaBalwant Singh Kalra-
1984JagirLakhan-
1984AwaazMoolchand-
1984Jhootha SachKolga-
1984Kasam Paida Karne Wale KiUdaybhan Singh-
1984Zakhmi SherSwami Kashinath Singh-
1984Yeh DeshDhulia-
1984PartyDoctor-
1984Bandh Honth-
1984Gandu BherundaProfessor JaiKannada Film
1985Aaj Ke SholayBalbir Gupta-
1985MohabbatChoudhary-
1985ZabardastBalram Singh-
1985Meri JungG.D. ThakralFilmfare Best Villain Award,-
1985Teri MeherbaniyanThakur Vijay Singh-
1985Phaansi Ke BaadDamodar Seth-
1985Patthar DilRana Surajbhan Singh-
1985Paisa Yeh PaisaJugal-
1985KarmayudhSohanlal Puri-
1985AghaatChakradev-
1986Pyar Ho GayaSapna's Father-
1986Kaanch Ki DeewarBhoop Singh-
1986Aap Ke SaathPersha-
1986SultanatRazoulli Al-Jabber Al-Nasser-
1986JanbaazRana Vikram Singh-
1986BegaanaA.P. Lall-
1986SamundarRaiszada Narsingh-
1986Asli NaqliDurjan Singh-
1986Dosti Dushmani-
1986Ek Aur SikanderSher Khan-
1986Tamas-
1986Ricky-
1986Naseeb Apna Apna-
1986NaginaBaba Bhaironath-
1986Mera DharamThakur Digvijay Singh-
1986Maa Ki Saugandh-
1986On Wings of FireNihavand ruler-
1987KhazanaNarratorUncredited-
1987LohaSher 'Shera' Singh-
1987DadagiriBhanupratap-
1987MadadgarSunita's Mama-
1987Dance DanceA.M.Singh-
1987Mr. IndiaMogambo-
1987HawalaatSeth Dharam Das-
1987Sadak ChhapDharamdas, MP-
1987Kaun Jeeta Kaun Haara-
1987Pharam DharamShamshera-
1987Sher Shivaji-
1987Jawab Hum DengeDhanraj-
1987Inaam Dus HazaarCaptain S.P.Singh-
1987Dil Tujhko DiyaMohla-
1987Dance DanceRaja Bahadur A.M. Singh-
1987Raj Kapoor Himself-
1988Hum Farishte NahinPashrutam Das / Din Dayal-
1988ShahenshahJ.K.VermaUncredited-
1988Khoon Bahaa Ganga Mein-
1988WarisDulla K. Singh-
1988Mohabbat Ke DushmanShahbaaz Khan-
1988CommandoMarcelloni-
1988RukhsatJagdish Chopra-
1988Janam JanamYuvraj Thakur Balbir Singh-
1988DayavanInspector Ratan Singh-
1988Ganga Jamuna SaraswathiThakur Hansaj Singh-
1988YateemDacoit Porkhiya-
1988SaazishDiwan-
1988Mar MitengeAjit Singh-
1988Hamara KhandaanChandraprakash Singh -
1988Aakhari Poratam Anantananda Swamy-
1989JurratKama-
1989Mil Gayee Manzil Mujhe-
1989'Gangadhar Chowdhary-
1989Do QaidiK.K-
1989Farz Ki JungJai Kishan -
1989IlaakaNagar-
1989DaataGopal Das-
1989Naa-InsaafiBilla-
1989TridevBhujang / Bhairav SinghNominated- Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award-
1989BatwaraHanumant Singh-
1989Hisaab Khoon KaRanvir Pushp-
1989JaadugarMahaprabhu Janak Sagar Jagat Narayan Chintamani-
1989Aag Se KhelengeZakha-
1989Tujhe Nahin Chhodunga-
1989Ram LakhanBhisambar Nath-
1989Nigahen : Nagina Part IIBhairon NathVoice, Uncredited-
1989Nafrat Ki AandhiChandidas Khurana-
1989MujrimKhan-
1989Mera Farz-
1990Vidrohi-
1990Kondaveeti DongaKhaadra /SPTelugu film-
1990Hatim Tai-
1990Naaka BandiMangal Singh / Santhal-
1990Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka SundariMahadrashtaTelugu film-
1990GhayalBalwant Rai-
1990Aaj Ka ArjunThakur Bhupendra Singh-
1990Doodh Ka KarzRaghuvir SinghMarathi Film-
1990TejaaJarahwar-
1990Qayamat Ki Raat Shera-
1990Muqaddar Ka BadshaahVikral Singh-
1990Kishen KanhaiyaLala Gendamal-
1990Kaarnama-
1990Jeene DoThakur Sher Bahadur Singh-
1991TrinetraSinghania-
1991Mohabbat Pehli Nazar Mein-
1991JigarwalaDhurjan Singh-
1991Iraada-
1991Benaam BadshaJaikal-
1991AjoobaVazir-e-Ala -
1991SaudagarChuniyaNominated- Filmfare Best Villain Award-
1991Aditya 369Antique CollectorTelugu Movie-
1991Dharam SankatJagira-
1991Phool Aur KaanteNageshwar "Don"-
1991ThalapathiKalivardhanTamil film-
1991Shikari : The HunterNahar Singh-
1991Numbri AadmiRana-
1991Mast KalandarRaja Sahab-
1991Kohraam-
1992Suraj Ka Satvan GhodaMahesar DalalSydney Film Festival, Best Actor Award,
Singapore International Film Festival, Best Actor Award
-
1992'RavanaVoice over in Hindi-dub version-
1992I Love You-
1992VishwatmaAzghar Jurhad-
1992VanshaVilasrao Chaudhary-
1992Zindagi Ek JuaBhalla-
1992DeewanaDhirend -
1992TahalkaGeneral DongNominated- Filmfare Best Villain Award-
1992MuskurahatGopichand Verma Nominated- Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award-
1992Time Machine-
1992AshwamedhamTelugu film-
1993Divya ShaktiTau -
1993KundanThakur Shamsher Singh-
1993DaminiBarrister Indrajit Chaddha Nominated- Filmfare Best Villain Award-
1993Nippu RavvaBalagam DhanrajTelugu film-
1993GardishPurushottam SatheNominated- Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award-
1993SangramRaja's father-
1993Major ChandrakanthGnaneswara RaoTelugu film-
1994ElaanRamakant Chaudhry-
1994Maha Shaktishali-
1994Pehla Pehla PyaarHukam Singh-
1994Droh KaalI.G.P Pathak-
1994TejaswiniLala Khurana-
1994ParamaatmaChaudhry Rudranarayan-
1995Mohabatto Ka Safar-
1995Karan ArjunThakur Durjan SinghNominated- Filmfare Best Villain Award-
1995Jai VikraantaThakur Jaswant Singh-
1995Maidan-E-JungThakur Ranvir Singh 'Daata Guru'-
1995PremVanraja-
1995HulchulShobraj-
1995Oh Darling! Yeh Hai India!Don Quixote-
1995GundarajPolice Inspector-
1995Dilwale Dulhania Le JayengeChaudhry Baldev SinghNominated- Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award-
1995HaqeeqatACP. Shivcharan-
1995Paappi DevataaRatan Seth-
1995KartavyaThakur Ugranarayan Singh-
1996VijetaWing Commander Varghese-
1996Kala PaniMirza KhanMalayalam film-
1996Tu Chor Main SipahiThakur Gajendra Singh-
1996JeetGajraj Choudhary -
1996DiljaleDara-
1996BeqabuACP Amritlal Bakshi-
1996'Shambu NathFilmfare Best Supporting Actor Award
Star Screen Award for Best Supporting Actor
-
1996Smuggler-
1996Sardari BegumHemraj-
1996JaanSurya Dev Singh-
1997Khiladi No 1-
1997KoylaRaja SaabNominated- Filmfare Best Villain Award-
1997MahaantaSeth. Kedar Nath-
1997TarazuAppa Rao-
1997PardesKishorilal-
1997Chachi 420Durgaprasad Bhardwaj-
1997VirasatRaja ThakurFilmfare Best Supporting Actor Award
Star Screen Award for Best Supporting Actor
-
1997ItihaasPradhan Des Pandey-
1997NimayakBalwant-
1997Himalay PutraMalhotra, Seema's father-
1997Dhaal: The Battle of Law Against LawPilot Baba-
1998Sham GhanshamCollector Bhim Singh-
1998SalaakhenJaspal Rana-
1998BaroodMr.Singhal-
1998Jhooth Bole Kauwa KaateAbhayankar -
1998Doli Saja Ke RakhnaJojo Pinto-
1998Dhoondte Reh Jaaoge!Voice on the phone with Tiger-
1998China GateCol. Kewal Krishan Puri-
1999Lal BaadshahThakur Dhayal Singh-
1999AarzooDayashankar-
1999ZulmiBalraj Dutt-
1999Jai Hind-
1999TaalJagmohan Mehta-
1999BaadshahSuraj Singh ThapparNominated- Filmfare Best Villain Award-
1999GairC.K Oberoi-
1999Kaala SamrajyaKaalkeshwar Singh-
2000BadalACP Ranjeet Singh-
2000Ek AjoobaGuruji-
2000Dhaai Akshar Prem KeYagvender Gareval-
2000MohabbateinMajor General Khanna-
2000Shaheed Uddham SinghThe Sufi Saint-
2001On Wings of FireNihavand ruler-
2001ZubeidaaSuleiman Seth-
2001CensorPandit Shiv Prasad -
2001Chori Chori Chupke ChupkeKailashnath Malhotra-
2001Mujhe Kucch Kehna HaiBalram Singh -
2001'Mayor Ashraf Ali Nominated- Filmfare Best Villain Award
Nominated- Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Negative Role
-
2001YaadeinJagdish Kumar Malhotra -
2001'Chief Minister Balraj Chauhan-
2002Badmaash No.1-
2002Badhaai Ho BadhaaiMr. Chaddha-
2002ShararatPrajapati-
2002BabaTantrikTamil film-
2002'Sadhu -
2002RishteyYashpal Chaudhary-
2003KhushiVir Bhadra Singh-
2003'I.S.I Chief Ishak Khan-
2003'Major Amrish Kaul-
2003Out of ControlJatta Singh Bedi -
2003Dil Pardesi Ho GayaaBrigadier Sarfaroz Khan-
2004SuryaThakur-
2004'Mr. Pandey-
2004LoveKannada film-
2004DevChief Minister Bhandarker-
2004LakshyaBrigadier Gautam Puri Uncredited-
2004'commissioner of police Samar Singh-
2004Mujhse Shaadi KarogiColonel Dugraj Singh-
2004'Kartar Singh/Paaji-
2004AitraazMr. Ranjit Roy-
2004HulchulAngaar Chand-
2004Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan SaathiyoNarrator-
2004Woh Tera Naam ThaUstad Samad Khan-
2005'Bhairo Singh-

Google doodle

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."