The scariest villain and most endearing father of Bollywood - late actor Amrish Puri, would have turned 85 on Friday. One of the best actors of his times, Amrish worked in all kinds of films - from purely commercial movies to films like Hum Paanch, Bhumika and Ardh Satya, establishing his credentials as a wonderful actor.
Amrish’s powerful voice, deadly, scary looks and often demonic body language made him the ultimate villain. Here’s a look at some of his most popular characters:
Mogambo (Mr India)
We shall begin with the obvious one: You don’t really have to be a 90’s kid to know about Mogambo. If you speak Hindi or watch Hindi films, you have certainly used the legendary ‘Mogambo Khush Hua’ dialogue at least once in your life.
Barrister Indrajit Chaddha (Damini)
Amrish played the manipulative lawyer who asks a father to get his own son killed in order to win a case. The lecherous and judgemental way in which Amrish essayed the role of the lawyer, especially in the scene where he was required to rip apart Meenakshi Sheeshadri (Damini) in the courtroom, would give goosebumps to anyone.
GD Thakral (Meri Jung)
On one hand was Anil Kapoor and Nutan’s combination of touching and disturbing mother-son relationship in the film and on the other was Amrish as the criminal lawyer who is on the wrong side of the law.
Bauji (DDLJ)
The iconic ‘Ja Simran jee le apni zindagi’ builds up after three-hours of torture in the name of paternal love - forced marriage, diktats over what to ear and even censorship of dreams. Bauji was the perfect portrayal of traditional desi dad back in the era.
Shambhunath Lal (Ghatak)
In a rare positive character, Amrish Puri played an ailing father in the film and portrayed the pathos of an old, sick man seeking treatment in a metro city. He was the perfect picture of a Varanasi man, full of self-respect, stuck in the underworld drama of a big city. Amrish bagged the Filmfare Award for his performance in the film.
Chief Minister Balraj Chauhan (Nayak)
Anil Kapoor’s onscreen persona was often equated with Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, especially in his early days of political life. However, it was Amrish’s deft portrayal of the corrupt chief minister that brought forward the real muck that lies in our political system.
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