Amrish Puri

Amrish Puri

Birth name: Amrish Lal Puri
Born: June 22, 1932
Died: January 12, 2005 (at age 72)
Birthplace: Nawanshahr, Jalandhar, Punjab, British India
Popularity:
Biography

Amrish Lal Puri (22 June 1932 - 12 January 2005) was an Indian actor, who was an important figure in Indian theatre and cinema. He worked with notable playwrights of the time, such as Satyadev Dubey and Girish Karnad. He is remembered for playing iconic negative 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 has won three Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor.

Early life

Amrish Puri was born in Jalandhar in Punjab to a Punjabi-speaking family of Lala Nihal Singh Puri and Mst Ved Kaur. He had four siblings, elder brothers Chaman Puri and Madan Puri (both of whom also became actors), elder sister Chandrakanta, and a younger brother, Harish Puri. He later moved to Shimla and graduated from B.M. College, Himachal Pradesh.

Career

Amrish Puri acted in more than 400 films between 1967 and 2005, and was one of the most successful villains in Bollywood. Puri first came to Mumbai 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 (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. 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 same year, he again played the main villain, JK in the movie Shakti starring two legends- Dilip Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan. Next, in 1983, Subhash Ghai again cast him as the main villain, Pasha in the superhit movie Hero. Puri regularly featured in subsequent Subhash 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 (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 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.

Since 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 and China Gate. He received the Filmfare Best Supporting Actor award for Meri Jung and Virasat.

Death

Puri died on 12 January 2005, due to cerebral haemorrhage resulting from complications of myelodysplastic syndrome in Mumbai, Maharashtra, aged 72.

Awards

Wins

  • 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

Nominations

  • 1990: Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award - Tridev
  • 1993: Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award - Muskurahat
  • 1994: Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award - Gardish
  • 1996: Filmfare Best Villain Award - Karan Arjun
  • 1996: Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award - Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge
  • 1999: Filmfare Best Villain Award - Koyla
  • 2000: Filmfare Best Villain Award - Baadshah
  • 2002: Filmfare Best Villain Award - Gadar: Ek Prem Katha

Filmography

Amrish Puri acted in more than 400 films between 1967 - 2005.

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 Jabbar
Immaan Dharam Dharam Dhayal
Bhumika Vinayak Kale
1978 Kondura Konduraswamy
1979 Sawan Ko Aane Do Chandrika's dad
Lakhan
Jaani Dushman Man in Ghost train reading horror story
Hamare Tumhare General Manager
Naiyya
1980 Patthar Se Takkar
Maan Abhiman Madhuraprasad Chowdhary
Kalyug Kishan Chand
Chann Pardesi Joginder Singh
Aakrosh Dusane, 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
Vidhaata Jagavar Chowdhary
Be-Shaque Gopal
Johny I Love You
Ashanti Ranvir
Aadat Se Majboor Agnihotri (a.k.a. Johinder Singh)
Apna Bana Lo Mr.Joshi
Gandhi Khan
Shakti
Main Inteqaam Loonga Goverdhan Das (GD)
1983 Mandi Darvish
Hero Pasha
Haadsa
Ardh Satya Anant's Father
Andha Kanoon Mr.Ram Gupta
Coolie John D'Costa
Nishaan
1984 Zakhmi Sher Swami Kashinath Singh
Gandu Bherunda Professor Jai
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
Gangvaa Special Appearance
Jhootha Sach Kolga
Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki Udaybhan
1985 Zabardast
Teri Meherbaniyan Thakur Vijay Singh
Phaansi Ke Baad Damodar Seth
Patthar Dil Rana Surajbhan Singh
Paisa Yeh Paisa Jugal
Ek Aur Sikander Sher Khan
Mohabbat Choudhary
Karmayudh Sohanlal Puri
Aaj Ke Sholay Balbir Gupta
Aghaat Chakradev
Meri Jung G.D. Thakral
1986 Ricky
Pyar Ho Gaya
Naseeb Apna Apna
Nagina Baba Bhaironath
Mera Dharam
Kaanch Ki Deewar
Aap Ke Saath Persha
Sultanat Razoulli Al-Jabber Al-Nasser
Janbaaz Rana Vikram Singh
Samundar Raiszada Narsingh
Asli Naqli Durjan Singh
1987 Tamas (mini TV series)
Sher Shivaji
Jawab Hum Denge Dhanraj
Inaam Dus Hazaar Captain S.P.Singh
Dance Dance A.M.Singh
Dadagiri Bhanupratap
Loha Sher 'Shera' Singh
Pyar Karke Dekho
Madadgar
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 (Telugu Movie)
Hun Farishte Nahin Pashrutam Das/Din Dayal
Shahenshah J.K.Verma
Waris Dulla
Commando Marcelloni
Rukhsat
Dayavan Inspector Ratan Singh
1989 Tujhe Nahin Chhodunga
Suryaa: An Awakening Gangadhar Chowdhary
Ram Lakhan Bhisambar Nath
Tahalka General Dong
Hisaab Khoon Ka Ranvir Pushp
Nigahen : Nagina Part II Bhairon Nath - voice (uncredited)
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
Hatim Tai
Ghayal Balwant Rai
Kondaveeti Donga Khaadra /SP (Telugu Movie)
Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari Mahadrashta(Telugu Movie)
Naaka Bandi Mangal Singh/Santhal
Aaj Ka Arjun Thakur Bhupendra Singh
Doodh Ka Karz Raghuvir Singh-Hindi
Upkar Dudhache Raghuvir Singh-Marathi Film
1991 Shikari : The Hunter Nahar Singh
Trinetra Singhania
Numbri Aadmi Rana
Mast Kalandar
Kohraam
Aadmi Aur Apsara Mahadrashta
Jigarwala Dhurjan Singh
Iraada
Benaam Badsha Jaikal
Ajooba Vazir-e-Ala (a.k.a. Vazir)
Saudagar Chuniya
Aditya 369 Antique Collector (Telugu Movie)
Dharam Sankat Jagira
Phool Aur Kaante Nageshwar "Don"
Thalapathi Kalivardhan
1992 Vansha
Time Machine (Incomplete film)
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
Major Chandrakanth Gnaneswara Rao (Telugu Movie)
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
Paappi Devataa Ratan Seth
1996 Sardari Begum Hemraj
Kala Pani/Sirai Chalai/Kaalapani/Sazaa-E-Kaalapaani Mirza Khan
Jaan Surya Dev Singh
Diljale Dara
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
Salaakhen Jaspal Rana
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 Thappar
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 commissioner of police 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
2006 Kachchi Sadak Hasan Kairanvi

[ Source: Wikipedia ]


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