Mumbai, Jan 12: Versatile actor Amrish Puri, whose
role as 'Mogambo' in movie 'Mr India' became the metaphor for
ugliness and greed lurking behind the psyche of every man, was
not only a trademark villain but a character actor of class.
Seventy-two-year Amrish Puri added a punch to the roles
by lending them his persona, his inimitable charm and
liveliness.
Making a foray into Bollywood at the age of 40 with
"Reshma Aur Shera", the actor never looked back and acted in
more than 200 films during his career spanning three decades.
The raised eyebrows, the venom-spewing dialogues and
blood churning laughter of 'Mogambo' out to conquer the world
in 'Mr India' continues to haunt the cinegoers.
With equal aplomb he played the character of a strict
father with a loving heart in blockbuster `Dilwale Dulhania Le
Jayenge' with youngsters Shahrukh Khan and Kajol and left an
indelible mark on movie buffs.
Brother of character actor Madan Puri, he was cast by
Shyam Benegal in films like `Nishant', `Manthan' and Bhumika'.
However, it was his role in `Hum Panch' as Duryodhan
that got him due applause.
He also caught the attention of Hollywood flimmaker
Steven Spielberg who cast him in 'Indiana Jones and the
Temple of Doom" in 1984.
His role in Kamaal Hasan's comedy `Chachi 420', where he
runs after Hasan who plays the role of housemaid Laxmi
Godbole, was a proof of Puri's versatality.
Puri was known to delve into the depths of the character,
study its nuances and then present it in his maverick style.
Though paired opposite thepsian like Dilip Kumar in
`Vidhata' he managed to hold on his own. He also acted with
Amitabh Bachchan in several films including `Shahanshah' and
`Shakti'.
Amrish also acted in Hrishikesh Mukherjee's `Jhooth Bole
Kauva Kaate' starring Anil Kapoor and Juhi Chawla.
In `Saudagar', where he was pitted against veteran actors
like and Raj Kumar and Dilip Kumar, his character left a mark
of its own. His other films include `Ram Lakhan', `Karan
Arjun', `Phool Aur Kante' and recently released `Aitraaz'.
Known as a wonderful human being in the film circle, his
colleagues remember him more for his passion for improvising
his character and taking lessons from others.
Bureau Report
