Amrish Puri was born in Nawanshehar district of Punjab. His parents were (father) Lala Nihal Chand and (mother) Ved Kaur. Amrish Puri had two elder brothers- Chaman Puri and Madan Puri, who were also actors. After graduation, Amrish Puri came to Bombay to act in films. Amarish failed his first screen test and had to find a job with the Ministry of Labour. Meanwhile, he started acting at the Prithvi Theatre and soon he became well known stage actor.Amrish Puri won Sangeet Natak Academy Award for his performance in theatre. Amrish got breakthrough in Hindi films at the age of 40. The first film he had signed was "Reshma Aur Shera" but his first released film was "Prem Pujari". After that he appeared in negative and character roles in a number of movies such as Shyam Benegal's "Nishant", "Manthan", Bhumika" and "Suraj Ka Satvan Ghoda". Ambrish Puri became famous in Bollywood as Mogambo from the hit film "Mr. India" directed by Shekhar Kapoor. Amrish Puri did not play only negative roles but also appeared in character roles, which includes kind hearted business man in "Pardesh", father of Jackie Shroff in "Gardish", grandfather in "Chori Chori Chupke Chupke" and Baldev Singh in "Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge". His last film was"Kisna: The Warrior Poet". The film was released a few days after his death.
Profile
Date of Birth: 22nd June, 1932.
Date of Death: 12 January, 2005.
Nickname: Mogambo
Education: Graduate from B. M. College, Shimla.
Debut Film: "Prem Pujari"
Film Awards: Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award for 'Meri Jung", "Ghatak" and "Virasat"
Sydney Film Festival, Best Actor Award for "Suraj Ka Satvan Ghoda"
Filmography
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 and Reshma Aur Shera.
Trivia
- He shaved his head for the role of the villian Mola Ram in Hollwood Movie "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom ". It created such an impression that he kept his head shaved and became one of the most popular villains in Hindi Cinema.
- Amrish Puri had a passion for collecting hats, and bought a hat or two on every foreign trip of his. He had a collection of over 200 hats from across the world.
- Amrish was a very religious person and a devotee of Lord Shiva.
- His autobiography titled, 'The Act of Life' was published in 2006.
