Amrish Puri

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Amrish Puri
Born Amrish Lal Puri
June 22, 1932 (1932-06-22)
Punjab, India
Died January 12, 2005 (aged 72)
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Years active 1970-2005

Amrish Lal Puri (Hindi: अमरीश पुरी, Urdu: اَمریش پُری, June 22, 1932January 12, 2005) was an Indian actor who appeared primarily 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).

Contents

[edit] Personal life

Puri was born in Distt. Nawanshehar near by Jalandhar in the Punjab region of India. His parents were (father) Lala Nihal Chand and (mother) 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 graduated from B.M. College in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. Amrish came to Bombay with not even hundred rupees in his pocket and made it so big with his sheer hard work, perseverance, and disciplined lifestyle.

He married Urmila Divekar on the 5th of January, 1957, at the Shri Krishna Temple in Wadala. The couple had 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. Sachi is a 19 year old aspiring doctor whereas Harsh is a student in Jamnabai Narsee School(Juhu, Mumbai)and a very enthusiastic young man, to whom Amrish was very close. His daughter-in-law, Meena, is a professional physiotherapist. She practices at her Juhu clinic.

Amrish had a passion for collecting hats, and bought a hat or two on every abroad trip of his. He had a collection of over 200 hats from across the world. Amrish was a very religious person by heart and a Shiv devotee.

[edit] Career

When Amrish reached Bombay his brother Madan Puri was already an established actor, known for playing villain roles. Amrish failed his first screen test and had to find a job with the Ministry of Labour.

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.

Amrish Puri went on to work in Hindi, Hollywood, Punjabi, 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.

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.

He died in Mumbai in 2005, after a brain hemorrhage at the age of 72. His autobiography titled, 'The Act of Life' was published in 2006, and is seen as the document of the cinema of his times.[2]

[edit] Films

[edit] Hindi

In 1970 he appeared in his first film, Prem Pujari although the first film he had signed for was Reshma Aur Shera 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 has also played the "good guy" at times. He was a kind-hearted American businessman in Pardes (1997) and a genial grandfather in the film Chori Chori Chupke Chupke (2001).

His last film was Kisna: The Warrior Poet. 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).

[edit] Malayalam

Amrish Puri starred as the sadistic jailor in Kalapani in which Mohanlal got a chance to act with him.

[edit] Punjabi

Amrish Puri 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

Amris Puri appeared in the Tamil film Dalapathi (1991), directed by Mani Ratnam, opposite South Indian superstars Rajnikanth and Mammootty. After Dalapathi, Amrish Puri made his second and last appearance in the Rajinkanth's film "Baba" (2002) in which Amrish Puri played the role of an evil tantrik who helps politicians and other evil elements to succeed in their hideous schemes.

[edit] Kannada

Amrish Puri had also acted in few kannada Movies. Simhada Mari Saniya, Subbi Subbaka Suvalali, Love and few other movies.He acted as a hero in a black & white kannada movie "Kaadu"

[edit] Awards

[edit] Filmography

Amrish Puri acted in more than 400 films between 1967 - 2005. Some of them are listed below.


Acting Filmography
Kachchi Sadak: Rough Street (2006) Jailor Hasan Kairanvi
Kisna: The Warrior Poet (2005) (2005) Bhairo Singh
Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyo (2004) Narrator
Hulchul (2004) Angar Chand
Aitraaz (2004) Ranjit Roy
Taarzan: The Wonder Car (2004) Kartar Singh/Baa Ji
Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004) Colonel Dugraj Singh
Garv: Pride and Honour (2004) Inspector Samar Singh
Lakshya (2004) Brig.Gen. Gautam Puri (Sp. App.)
Dev (2004) Chief Minister Bhandarker
Police Force: An Inside Story (2004) Mr. Pandey
Woh Tera Naam Tha (2004) Ustad Samad Khan
Dil Pardesi Ho Gayaa (2003) Brig. Sarfaroz Khan
Out of Control (2003)
Jaal: The Trap (2003) Major Amrish Kaul
The Hero: Love Story of a Spy (2003) I.S.I Chief Ishak Khan
Khushi (2003) Vir Bhadra Singh
Surya (2003) Thakur
Rishtey (2002) Yashpal Chaudhary
Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahani (2002) Sadhu (sage)
Baba (2002) Tantrik
Shararat (2002) Prajapati
Badhaai Ho Badhaai (2002) Mr. Chaddha
Nayak: The Real Hero (2001) Balraj Chauhan (Chief Minister)
Yaadein (2001) Jagdish Kumar Malhotra


Gadar: Ek Prem Katha (2001) Mayor (Sakina's dad)


Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai (2001) Balram Singh (Tau of Karan)


Chori Chori Chupke Chupke (2001) Kailashnath Malhotra


Censor (2001) Pandit Shiv Prasad (Censor Board Member)


Zubeidaa (2001) Suleman Seth


On Wings of Fire (2001) Nihavand ruler


Mohabbatein (2001) Maj. Gen. Khanna (special appearance)
Dhaai Akshar Prem Ke (2000) Yagvender Gareval
Badal (2000) ACP Ranjeet Singh
Shaheed Udham Singh (2000) The Sufi Saint
Thakshak (1999) Nahar Singh (Ishaan's father)
Gair (1999) C.K. Oberoi
Baadshah (1999) Suraj Singh Thaper
Taal (1999) Jagmohan Mehta
Jai Hind (1999)
Zulmi (1999) Balraj Dutt
Aarzoo (1999) Dayashankar
Lal Baadshah (1999) Thakur Dhayal Singh
Kaala Samrajya (1999) Kaalkeshwar Singh
Jhooth Bole Kauwa Kaate (1998) Mr. Abhyankar
Barood (1998) Mr. Singhal
Salaakhen (1998)
Chachi 420 (1998) Durgaprasad Bhardwaj
China Gate (1998) Col. Kewal Krishan Puri
Dhoondte Reh Jaaoge (1998) Voice on the phone with Tiger
Doli Saja Ke Rakhna (1998) Jojo Pinto
Sham Ghansham (1998) Collector Bhim Singh
Tarazu (1997) Appa Rao
Mahaanta (1997) Seth. Kedar Nath
Koyla (1997) Raja Saab
Dhaal: The Battle of Law Against Law (1997) Pilot Baba
Himalay Putra (1997) Malhotra, Seema's father (special appearance)
Itihaas (1997) Balwant
Nirnayak (1997)
Pardes (1997) Kishorilal
Virasat (1997) Raja Thakur
Ghatak (1996) Shambu Nath
Beqabu (1996) ACP Amritlal Bakshi
Jeet (1996) Gajraj Choudhary (underworld don)
Tu Chor Main Sipahi (1996) Thakur Gajendra Singh
Vijeta (1996) D.I.G. Jagdish Chaudhary
Diljale (1996) Daka
Jaan (1996) Surya Dev Singh
Kala Pani (1996) Mirza Khan
Sardari Begum (1996) Hemraj
Haqeeqat (1995) ACP. Shivcharan
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995) Chaudhry Baldev Singh
Gundaraj (1995) Police Inspector
Prem (1995) Vanraja
Maidan-E-Jung (1995) Thakur Ranvir Singh 'Daata Guru'
Hulchul (1995) Shobraj
Jai Vikraanta (1995) Thakur Jaswant Singh
Karan Arjun (1995) Thakur Durjan Singh
Kartavya (1995) Thakur Ugranarayan Singh
Oh Darling! Yeh Hai India (1995) Don Qixote
Droh Kaal (1994) IGP Pathak
Pehla Pehla Pyaar (1994) Hukam Singh
Elaan (1994) Ramakant Chaudhry
Maha Shaktishaali (1994)
Pramaatma (1994)
Kala paani (1994) Jailer Mirza Khan
Tejasvini (1994) Lala Khurana
Gardish (1993) Purushottam Sathe
Damini (1993) Indrajit Chaddha (Scheming Lawyer)
Divya Shakti (1993) Tau (Mafia Don)
Kundan (1993)
Sangram (1993) Raja's father
Suraj Ka Satvan Ghoda (1993) Mahesar Dalal
Muskurahat (1992) Former Justice Gopichand Verma
Deewana (1992) Ravi's uncle
Zindagi Ek Juaa (1992) Bhalla
Vishwatma (1992) Azghar Jurhad
Ashwamedham (1992)
Tehelka (1992)
Time Machine (1992 film - Incomplete) - based on story by H. G. Wells (1992) (Film abandoned for financial reasons)
Vansh (1992)
Thalapathi (1992) Kalivardhan
Phool Aur Kaante (1991) Nageshwar "Don"
Dharam Sankat (1991) Jagira
Aditya 369 (1991) Raja Varma
Saudagar (1991) Chuniya
Ajooba (1991) Vazir-E-Alla
Benaam Badsha (1991) Jaikal
Iraada (1991)
Jigarwala (1991) Dhurjan Singh
Aadmi Aur Apsara (1991)
Kohraam (1991)
Mast Kalandar (1991)
Numbri Aadmi (1991) Rana
Trinetra (1991) Singhania
Shikari (1991)
Doodh Ka Karz (1990) Raghuvir Singh
Aaj Ka Arjun (1990) Thakur Bhupendra Singh
Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari (1990) Mahadrashta
Kondaveeti Donga (1990)
Ghayal (1990) Balwant Rai
Hatimtai (1990)
Jeene Do (1990) Thakur Sher Bahadur Singh
Kishen Kanhaiya (1990) Lala Gendamal
Muqaddar Ka Badshaah (1990) Vikral Singh
Tejaa (1990) Jarahwar
Aag Se Khelenge (1989) {{{Role}}}
Jaadugar (1989) Mahaprabhu Janak Sagar Jagat Narayan Chintamani
Batwara (1989) Hanumant Singh
Naa-Insaafi (1989)
Tridev (1989) Bhujang/Bhairav Singh
Daata (1989) Gopal Das
Ilaaka (1989) Nagar
Farz Ki Jung (1989) Jai Kishan (JK)
Mil Gayee Manzil Mujhe (1989)
Do Qaidi (1989) K.K.
Mujrim (1989) Khan
Nafrat Ki Aandhi (1989) Chandidas Khurana
Nigahen: Nagina Part II (1989) (voice) (uncredited) .... Bhairon Nath
Ram Lakhan (1989) Bhishambar Nath
Suryaa: An Awakening (1989) Gangadhar Choudhary
Tujhe Nahin Chhodunga (1989)
Dayavan (1988) Inspector Ratan Singh
Rukhsat (1988)
Commando (1988) Marcelloni
Waris (1988) Dulla
Shahenshah (1988) J.K
Hum Farishte Nahin (1988) Pashrutam Das/Din Dayal
Aakhari Poratam (1988) Anantananda Swamy
Gangaa Jamunaa Saraswathi (1988) Thakur Hansraj Singh
Hamara Khandaan (1988) Chandraprakash Singh (Vishal's dad)
Mar Mitenge (1988) Ajit Singh
Mohabbat Ke Dushman (1988) Shahbaaz Khan
Saazish (1988) Diwan
Yateem (1988) Dacoit Porkhiya
Param Dharam (1987) Shamshera
Sadak Chhap (1987) Dharamdas, MP
Hawalaat (1987) Seth Dharam Das
Mr India (1987) Mogambo
Madadgar (1987)
Pyaar Karke Dekho (1987)
Loha (1987)
Dadagiri (1987) Bhanupratap
Dance Dance (1987)
Inaam Dus Hazaar (1987)
Jawab Hum Denge (1987) Dhanraj
Sher Shivaji (1987)
Asli Naqli (1986) Durjan Singh
Samundar (1986) Raiszada Narsingh
Janbaaz (1986) Rana Vikram Singh
Sultanat (1986) Razoulli Al-Jabber Al-Nasser
Aap Ke Saath (1986) Persha
Kaanch Ki Deewar (1986)
Mera Dharam (1986) Digvijay Thakur, Jr. & Sr.
Nagina (1986) Bhairon Nath
Naseeb Apna Apna (1986) Bhim Singh
Pyar Ho Gaya (1986) Mr. Rai
Ricky (1986)
Tamas(mini) TV Series (1986)
Meri Jung (1985) (1985) .... G.D. Thakral
Nishan (1985)
Aaj Ke Sholey (1985) Balbir Gupta
Karmyudh (1985) Sohanlal Puri
Mohabbat (1985) Choudhury
Paisa Yeh Paisa (1985) Jugal
Patthar Dil (1985) Rana Surajbhan Singh
Phaansi Ke Baad (1985) Damodar Seth
Teri Meherbaniyan (1985) Thakur Vijay Singh
Zabardast (1985)
Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki (1984) Udaybhan
Jhootha Sach (1984)
Gangvaa (1984) Special Appearance
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) Mola Ram
Mashaal (1984) S.K. Vardhan
Awaaz (1984) Moolchand Malhotra
Duniya (1984) Balwant Singh Kalra
Jagir (1984) Lakhan
Party (1984) Doctor
Yeh Desh (1984) Dhuliya
Zakhmi Sher (1984) Swami Kashinath Singh
Coolie (1983) John D'Costa
Andha Kanoon (1983) Mr. Ram Gupta
Ardh Satya (1983) Anant's Father
Haadsa (1983)
Hero (1983) Pasha
Mandi (1983) Darvish
Gandhi (1982) Khan
Shakti (1982) J.K. Verma
Apna Bana Lo (1982) Mr. Joshi
Aadat Se Majboor (1982) Agnihotri (aka Joginder Singh)
Ashanti (1982) Ranvir
Johnny I Love You (1982)
Vidhaata (1982) Jagavar Chaudhary
Vijeta (1982) Chief Instructor Verghese
Naseeb (1981) Don
Krodhi (1981) Madhavan
Hum Paanch (1980) Veer Pratap Singh
Dostana (1980) Balwant Singh
Gehrayee (1980) Tantric Magician
Qurbani (1980) Rakka
Aakrosh (1980 film) (1980)
Chan Pardesi (1980) Joginder Singh
Kalyug (1980) Kishan Chand
Maan Abhiman (1980) Mathuraprasad Choudhary
Patthar Se Takkar (1980)
Hamare Tumhare (1979) General Manager
Jaani Dushman (1979) Man in train
Lakhan (1979)
Sawan Ko Aane Do (1979) Chandrika's dad
Kondura (1978) Konduraswamy
Bhumika: The Role (1977) Vinayak Kale
Immaan Dharam (1977) Dharam Dayal
Alibaba Marjinaa (1977)
Paapi (1977) (voice) (uncredited) .... Michael
Manthan (1976) Mishraji
Nishaant (1975) Eldest Zamindar
Salaakhen (1975) Master
Hindustan Ki Kasam (1973)
Kaadu (1973) Chandre Gowda
Hulchul (1971) Public Prosecutor
Reshma Aur Shera (1971) Rehmat Khan
Shantata (1971) Court Chalu Aahe
Prem Pujari (1970) Prem Pujari

[edit] Further reading

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

[edit] References

[edit] External links