Remembering Amrish Puri On His Birth Anniversary : From Failed Audition To Being Spielberg’s Favourite Villain

Sunday, June 22, 2025, 12:21

Even today, decades after its release, one line continues to echo across generations: "Mogambo khush hua!" Delivered with a glint in his eye and a voice that could shake the screen, this dialogue from Mr. India immortalised Amrish Puri as the gold standard of villains in Bollywood. But behind that commanding screen presence was a man with a deeply interesting life, full of surprises that many fans don't know about.

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On his 92nd birth anniversary, let's celebrate the legendary actor by digging into the lesser-known chapters of his remarkable journey from failed auditions to global acclaim and even mismatched shoe sizes.

From Insurance Desk To Iconic Villain

Most people don't know that Amrish Puri didn't enter films till he was almost 40. Before becoming a household name, he spent 22 years working at a government insurance company (ESIC), trying to make ends meet after failing a screen test in his youth. But his love for acting never faded. Encouraged by theatre legends like Satyadev Dubey and Ebrahim Alkazi, he continued to perform in plays at Prithvi Theatre, where he gradually honed his craft and caught the attention of the film world.

Not The First Mogambo!

It's hard to imagine Mr. India without Amrish Puri's Mogambo, but he wasn't the first choice. The role originally went to Anupam Kher, who even shot about 60% of the scenes. But something didn't click, and the makers eventually turned to Puri. The result? Cinematic history.

To truly get into the skin of Mogambo, Puri isolated himself from sunlight for nearly 20 days during the shooting schedule. So intense was the workload that he didn't see natural light for days, staying cooped up in dark studios to embody the menacing general in his full glory.

Designing The Villain

Mogambo's uniform - that striking black outfit with gold trims wasn't just a costume, it was a character in itself. What many don't know is that Amrish Puri actively collaborated with designer Madhav to create the look. He insisted on a clean-shaven face, thick eyebrows, and a militaristic coat to give Mogambo the feel of a true dictator. He didn't just act the part. he co-designed it.

The costume cost ₹25,000 back in 1985, a significant amount at the time underscoring just how central the character was to the film's vision.

Hollywood's Favourite Villain

Amrish Puri wasn't just a star in India. He went global with his spine-chilling role as Mola Ram in Steven Spielberg's 'Indiana Jones' and the 'Temple of Doom'. Though the character sparked controversy in India, Spielberg later called Puri "the best villain the world has ever produced."

Interestingly, he had initially declined the offer, uncomfortable with the role. It was Sir Richard Attenborough who convinced him to take it up. And we're glad he did - the bald, blood-curdling priest became a global face of fear.

His Head Was Bald, But His Hat Collection Was Legendary

Post Indiana Jones, Amrish Puri shaved his head regularly, which eventually became a part of his signature look in Hindi films too. But off-screen, he had an unusual love: hats. Over the years, he collected nearly 200 hats from around the world, each one carefully chosen and cherished.

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Big Feet... With A Twist

Here's a quirky detail: Amrish Puri had different shoe sizes on each foot. One foot was size 11, the other size 12. It might have caused discomfort, but it only added to the larger-than-life image he projected on screen.

The Man Behind The Villain

Though he often played cruel and intimidating characters, Amrish Puri was known for his discipline, warmth, and professionalism in real life. However, he didn't tolerate lack of punctuality. Once, when Govinda arrived late, Puri gave him a tight slap but later apologised sincerely. Even Aamir Khan, then a continuity supervisor, wasn't spared from his sharp observations when he goofed up during a shoot.

A Family Of Artists

Art ran in his blood. He was the younger brother of well-known actors Madan Puri and Chaman Puri, and his family was related to the legendary singer K.L. Saigal. Despite this lineage, Amrish had to carve his own path, often in the shadows of his successful siblings until he outshone them all.

Theatre First, Films Later

Before he became the villain we all loved to hate, Amrish Puri won the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1979 for his contribution to theatre. His role as a blind singer in the Marathi film Shantata! Court Chalu Aahe was among his early breakthroughs, showing a side of him many never saw on the big screen.

A Life Lived Fully

He married Urmila Diveker, whom he met during his theatre days. Despite cultural differences, they made it work, raising two children - Rajeev and Namrata. His grandson Vardhan Puri is now carrying forward the legacy in films.

Unfortunately, Amrish Puri passed away on January 12, 2005, after suffering from myelodysplastic syndrome and undergoing brain surgery. He was 72. His last film, Kachchi Sadak, released posthumously in 2006.

The Curtain Call

Amrish Puri's journey wasn't easy. He faced rejection, took the long road to stardom, worked tirelessly, and became a legend not by luck but by relentless effort and unmatched presence. His voice, his eyes, and his screen presence continue to live on, decades later.

On what would have been his 92nd birthday, we don't just remember a villain. We remember an artist. A craftsman. A man who transformed fear into art and left behind a cinematic legacy that remains untouched.

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And while he played some of the most feared characters on screen, we can't forget Chaudhary Baldev Singh in DDLJ who gave us one of the most tender, unforgettable lines in Hindi cinema: "Jaa Simran, jee le apni zindagi."

Two roles. One legacy. Amrish Puri.