The biography of Amrish Puri is well known to all connoisseurs and lovers of Indian cinema. This is one of the most popular villains in Bollywood, which has been filmed for more than 35 years. On his account from 300 to 400 films. He has several awards for Best Supporting Actor.
Actor Biography
The biography of Amrish Puri should start with the fact that he was born in 1932 in the small town of Jalandhar in the state of Punjab. His parents were middle class and brought up five children.
In Shimla, he graduated from a liberal arts college, then went to university at the political and economic faculty. For about 20 years, Amrish worked at the Ministry of Labor in Bombay and in the government of Indira Gandhi.
At the same time, from his youth he was more attracted to exact sciences - chemistry, physics. I also liked creative specialties. In his youth, in the biography of Amrish Puri, there is mention of photography, playing the flute, dreams of becoming an artist.
Theatrical career
To realize his dream of an acting career, Amrish Puri was trained in the troupe of Abrahim Alkazi, who directed the National School of Drama.
After that, the playwright and director Sitayadev Dubey accepted him into his theater. It was located in Prithvi. Theatrical performances played a large role in the biography of Amrish Puri. He received roles in Arthur Miller’s play “View from the Bridge”, “Scapan's Tricks” by Moliere, plays of Dubey himself.
In parallel, Puri began to study at the Academy of Music, Drama and Dance. In 1968 he was awarded his first award in a creative biography. Amrish Puri, whose photo is in this article, became a famous theater drama actor, becoming one of the key figures in the Indian theater. For many years he worked on the radio and in advertising, many remembered his easily recognizable and characteristic voice.
Big screen debut
In the biography of actor Amrish Puri, cinema appeared only in 1970. He was 38 years old at that time. By Indian standards, it is very late to begin a career as an actor, moreover, many at this age end up acting. But Puri decided to go against everything.
Already in 1971, he received his first prominent role, starring in the film "Reshma and Shera." In Indian cinema, he was remembered by the roles of fearless villains. It is interesting that in parallel he starred in the so-called independent cinema - these were serious dramatic works, an arthouse.
Puri did not go unnoticed by Hollywood producers. In 1984, he starred with Stephen Spielberg in the action movie Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, playing Mola Ram, the main negative character, priest of the goddess Kali.
Puri's Death
Having played several hundred roles in the movie, in 2005 Puri died of a brain hemorrhage. This was the result of a serious operation. The actor was 72 years old.
At the same time, he continued to act in films until the very end. Already in 2006, his last work was published - the tape "Dusty Road".
It is known that a couple of years before his death, he began to write an autobiography, but did not have time to finish it. The book was being prepared for publication by journalist Jyoti Sabharwal along with his son Puri Rajiv. In 2006, it was published under the name "Law of Life" (based on intravital materials).
Personal life
The biography and family of Amrish Puri has always interested his many fans. He was the fourth child with his parents, he grew up with two older brothers, whose names were Madan and Chaman, and the older sister Chandrakanta. Amrish also had a younger brother - Harish.
Both of his older brothers were also associated with cinema. In the house in which Amrish Puri grew up and lived with his family (the biography and photo of the actor are presented in this article), there were many talented children. Madan did become a popular movie actor, as did Amrish.
Amrish Puri started his own family, children in 1957. He married Urmila Divekar. The wife was in no way connected with the world of art. In addition, they were from different castes - because of this, parents on both sides opposed this union.
The spouses gave birth to a son and daughter. Children in the biography of Amrish Puri are of great importance. His son Rajiv is a businessman and a sailor, and the daughter of Namrat became a physician. The actor has four grandchildren - one girl and three boys. Rajiv and Namrat have two children each.
"Like three musketeers"
Puri brought fame and glory to the role of Lakhan Singh in Pramod Chakravort's adventure musical action movie "Like Three Musketeers."
One of the main characters of this tape is the bandit Singh, whom Puri plays exactly. He is trying to get to the innumerable riches that belong to the slain Maharaj. But the cause of his death was precisely money and power.
The brave trinity of daredevils decides to resist the forces of evil in the person of Singh. In an unequal battle, in which the advantage at first is clearly not on their side, they seek to save countless treasures and, of course, their lives.
This 1984 musical film was screened in the Soviet Union and was very popular.
"Mr. India"
One of the most popular images on the screen of Puri brought to life in the fantastic comedy drama Shekhar Kapoor "Mr. India". Puri plays the cruel and merciless villain Mogambo, who wants to establish power over all of India, and in the future - over the whole world. To achieve the desired, he does not intend to stop at anything. Mogambo buys weapons, sells drugs, sells poor-quality food to make money, carries out terrorist attacks and steals valuables.
To establish power in the country, he only needs the invisibility bracelet, which was invented by the local ingenious scientist. However, the inventor died and the secret seems to be lost forever.
Mogambo needs to gain a foothold in the city and organize an armory in it. To do this, he gives the task to his minions to take possession of the house of Arun, in which he lives with a bunch of orphans. The villain does not even realize that Arun is the son of that same famous inventor.
After a clash with the bandits, he finds himself in a difficult situation and turns to Professor Sinhe, an old friend of his father, for support. He reveals a secret to him: it turns out that the bracelet that is able to make a person invisible does exist, it is hidden from prying eyes in a safe place. Having captured it, Arun will be able not only to protect himself and his orphans, but also to prevent the establishment of the power of criminals in the country, to avenge them the suffering inflicted on ordinary people. From now on, Arun becomes Mr. India.
Critics praised the film, praised it for its strong plot, a powerful image of a protagonist-superhero. The tape was included in the list of 25 Bollywood paintings that must be seen, and Puri’s phrase “Mogambo Satisfied” became winged.
"Not stolen bride"
In 1995, an Amrish Puri article starred in Aditya Chopra's romantic musical comedy "The Unlawed Bride." This film became the most successful film of the year, having won 10 statuettes of the main annual film award of India Filmfare Awards, which was a record at that time. She raised $ 19 million worldwide at the box office, winning the title of "all-time blockbuster."
The picture has another unique record - it was shown in cinemas for more than a thousand weeks (almost 20 years in total). The last show took place relatively recently - February 19, 2015.
The main characters are the Indians Simran and Raj, who live in London and receive different education. Simran grows up in the family of the Punjabi émigré Chowdhari Baldev Singh, devoted to his homeland and its customs. Her father made a fortune away from India - he is played by Puri.
The girl dreams of meeting a man with whom she will live her whole life. Mother warns her of empty dreams. Baldev receives a letter from India from an old friend with whom they agreed to marry their children 20 years ago. Simran is dejected because she does not want to marry a stranger.
Raj's father is a man of liberal views. When his son fails his exams at the university, he is only proud, because no one has received a higher education in their family. Father lets Raj travel with friends in Europe. In parallel, on a similar trip, her friend's name is Simran. For her, this is the last opportunity to see the world before marriage, Baldev agrees to let her go, provided that she justifies his trust.
During the trip, young people meet and fall in love with each other. Upon learning of the upcoming wedding, Raj flies to Simran's parents to please them and marry the girl.