Who Is Amrish Puri? Age, Biography and Wiki
Amrish Puri was born on June 22, 1932, and left an indelible mark on Indian cinema with his extraordinary presence and unmatched talent. He is best remembered for his powerful performances in films such as "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge," "Muqaddar Ka Sikandar," and the internationally acclaimed "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom." His commanding voice and striking personality made him one of the most recognizable faces in Indian films. Puri passed away on January 27, 2005, but his legacy continues to inspire actors and filmmakers across generations.
| Occupation | Stage Actor |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | June 22, 1932 |
| Age | 72 Years |
| Birth Place | Rahon Nawanshahr, Punjab, British India (present-day Punjab, India) |
| Horoscope | Cancer |
| Country | India |
| Date of death | 12 January, 2005 |
| Died Place | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
Popularity
Amrish Puri's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Even though Amrish Puri is no longer with us, his towering height of 6 feet (183 cm) and robust physique left a lasting impression in his roles. His weight was approximately 90 kg (198 lbs), contributing to his larger-than-life persona that fitted perfectly into the compelling characters he portrayed on-screen.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Amrish Puri was married to Kanwal Puri, and the couple had a wonderful bond that was admired by many. They had one son, Rajeev Puri, and a daughter, Namrata Puri. Throughout his life, Puri was known for his deep love and commitment to his family, emphasizing the importance of strong family ties in his personal life.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his passing, Amrish Puri's estimated net worth was around $10 million. His earnings came from a successful career in acting, in both mainstream Indian cinema and international projects. His contributions to Indian theater and his various roles in over 400 films undoubtedly played a significant role in establishing his financial success.
Amrish Puri (22 June 1932 – 12 January 2005) was an Indian actor, who was one of the most notable and important figures in Indian cinema and theatre. He acted in more than 450 films, established himself as one of the most popular and iconic actors in Indian cinema.
Puri is remembered for playing various roles in a variety of film genres, especially iconic villainous roles in Hindi cinema, as well as international cinema. He reigned supreme in villainous roles in the 1980s and 1990s, when his dominating screen presence and distinctive deep voice made him stand out amongst the other villains of the day.
Puri was active in both art cinema such as in some of Shyam Benegal and Govind Nihalani's films as well as in mainstream cinema. Puri won three Filmfare Awards for Best Supporting Actor in eight nominations. He also holds most Filmfare Award for Best Villain nominations.
While he predominantly worked in Hindi-language films, he had also appeared in Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, Malayalam and Marathi language films. Puri played some of most remembered villainous roles in Vidhaata (1982), Shakti (1982), Hero (1983), Meri Jung (1985), Nagina (1986), Mr.
India (1987), Shahenshah (1988), Ram Lakhan (1989), Tridev (1990), Ghayal (1990), Saudagar (1991), Thalapathi (1991), Tahalka (1992), Damini (1993), Karan Arjun (1995), Kaalapani (1996), Jeet (1996), Koyla (1997), Baadshah (1999), Gadar: Ek Prem Katha (2001), and Nayak: The Real Hero (2001)''.
His notable Telugu films include Kondaveeti Donga (1988), Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari (1990), and Aditya 369'' (1991). Puri's performance of the main antagonist Mogambo from Shekhar Kapur's Mr. India (1987) is considered as one of greatest villains of all time in Indian cinema.
It was reported that he received a salary of ₹1 crore (US$771,890), making him the highest-paid Indian villain actor of all time. His comic role in Chachi 420, that he acted alongside Kamal Haasan was well received by critics.
Career, Business, and Investments
Puri began his career in theater and transitioned into films in the 1970s. His impactful character portrayals, particularly of villains and authoritative figures, defined a significant era in Indian cinema. In addition to acting, Puri also ventured into film production. His investments were wise, often involving theatrical events and encouraging new talent in the film industry.
Puri's family had some film connections. The singer and actor K. L. Saigal, one of the pioneers of Indian cinema, was Puri's first cousin. Enamoured by the fame of their cousin, Puri's older brothers, Chaman Puri and Madan Puri, had moved to Mumbai in the 1950s to try their luck in films and had found work as character actors.
Puri likewise came to Mumbai in the mid-1950s to try his luck, but failed his first screen test. He however managed to land a stable job with the Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), a government organization, and indulged his hobby of acting by becoming part of an amateur natak mandali or stage group.
His group often performed at the Prithvi Theatre in plays written by Satyadev Dubey. He eventually became well known as a stage actor and even won the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1979. This theatre recognition soon led to work in television advertisements and eventually to films at the relatively late age of 40 (forty).
Social Network
While Amrish Puri might not have been active on modern social media platforms, his family and fans continue to honor his memory online. Several fan pages and social media accounts celebrate his body of work, with thousands of followers sharing memories and tributes regularly. It’s a testament to the substantial footprint he has left in the cinematic world.
On 22 June 2019, Puri was honoured with a Google Doodle. Commemorating his 87th birthday, Google carried his picture and the accompanying text read as, "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again—and you might end up like Indian film actor Amrish Puri, who overcame an early setback on the way to fulfilling his big screen dreams."
Education
Amrish Puri graduated with a degree in Arts from the University of Punjab. His educational background laid the foundation for his illustrious career in acting. He was actively involved in the National School of Drama, showcasing his dedication to honing his craft.
