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Born Jun 22 , 1932
Died Jan 12 , 2005
Popular villain and actor, Amrish Puri, has played many a character role as well, in his long-winding tryst with the film industry. His notable roles being Mogambo in Mr. India and of course, the time when he rubbed shoulders with Hollywood heavyweights Harrison Ford & Kate Capshaw in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom in 1984.
Amrish Puri, the younger brother of character actor Madan Puri, initially screen tested for a hero's role in 1954. When the producer rejected him, saying that he had a 'crude and harsh face' Amrish turned his attention to the theatre and also lent his voice to several advertisement jingles. When he was almost 40, director Sukhdev signed him for 'Reshma Aur Shera'. But when producer Sunil Dutt took over as the director of the film, like the camels, Amrish Puri blended into the background. It was another long wait before Amrish Puri, now a famous stage actor, was cast by art filmmaker Shyam Benegal in films like 'Nishaant', 'Manthan and 'Bhumika'.
However, it was only after the commercial success of his role of Duryodhana in 'Hum Paanch', a modern-day version of the Ramayana, that he was recognised as an actor. And with films like `Vidhaata` and `Hero` becoming hits, Amrish Puri became a star villain. Hollywood director, Steven Spielberg was so impressed with him that he cast him as the main villain in his film 'Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom' in 1984.
His venomous performance in 'Nagina' was a landmark but his career-defining role came with 'Mr. India' in 1987, as Mogambo. And the catchline, "Mogambo khush hua" became one of the most famous lines in the history of Hindi cinema.
With occasional positive roles in films like 'Phool Aur Kaante' in 1991 and 'Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge' in 1995, he has also done films like 'Ram Lakhan', 'Saudagar','Karan Arjun' and `Koyla`which reaffirms his versatility.
Puri's latest film releases had been Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Sathiyon . He has also acted in Subhash Ghai's Kisna, and had recently started working on Kamal Hasan's Mumbai Express just before he died.
Though Amrish Puri was ailing for the past few months, he was planning to write his own memoirs. Veteran character actor Amrish Puri died of a brain hemorrhage at P D Hinduja Hospital on Wednesday January, 12 2005 morning.
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