AMRISH PURI dies at the age of 72

by Mark Walters

Widely considered one of the best voices in Hindi cinema, Amrish Puri made quite a name for himself within the Bollywood community.  Oddly enough his acting career didn't begin until he was almost 40.  His first role was that of Chacha in RESHMAN AUR SHERA, released in 1971.  His film career in India was very impressive.  Every now and then Puri would end up in American productions as well.  He had a role in director Richard Attenborough's GHANDI in 1982.  But many American audiences will always remember him as Mola Ram, the villainous Thuggee cult leader in INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM.  Puri was originally apprehensive toward taking the role of Mola Ram, feeling it was too similar to Hindi films he had already done.  It was actually Attenborough who persuaded him to give it a shot, pointing out that Steven Spielberg's vision as a director was unique enough to make it interesting.  Puri shaved his head for the role, which made such a lasting impression, he kept it that way and became one of the most famous bad guys in Hindi cinema.  Over the years he has won three Filmfare Awards, and two Screen Weekly Awards.  On the morning of Wednesday January 12th in Mumbai, Puri fell victim to a brain hemorrhage, and passed away.  A sad passing of a Bollywood legend.  He was 72 years old. 

---

TAKE ME HOME