Background
Amrish Singh Puri was born in Nawanshahr (former Tehsil of District Jalandhar), Punjab to Sardar Nihal Singh Puri and Sardarni Ved Kaur as the fourth of five children.
Amrish Singh Puri was born in Nawanshahr (former Tehsil of District Jalandhar), Punjab to Sardar Nihal Singh Puri and Sardarni Ved Kaur as the fourth of five children.
Amrish Puri came to Mumbai in the footsteps of his elder brothers Chaman Puri and Madan Puri (both actors), who was already an established actor known for playing negative roles. He failed his first screen test, and found a job with the Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC). At the same time, he started performing at the Prithvi Theatre, in plays written by Satyadev Dubey. He eventually became well known as stage actor and won the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1979. This theatre recognition soon led to work in television ads and eventually to films at the late age of 40.
He went on to work in Hindi, Kannada, Marathi, Hollywood, Punjabi, Malayalam, Telugu and Tamil films. Though he was successful in all of these industries, he is best known for his work in Bollywood cinema. He has appeared in over four hundred films. His dominating screen presence and baritone voice made him stand out amongst the other villains of the day. He is best known for his role as Mogambo in the 1987 blockbuster, Mr. India and for his portrayal of Mola Ram, the antagonist in Steven Spielberg's Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.
He is known to international audiences for his roles as Khan in Richard Attenborough's Gandhi (1982) and as the main antagonist Mola Ram in the Steven Spielberg's Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984).
Amrish Puri acted in more than 400 films between 1967 – 2005.
Prem Pujari (1970), Shantata! Court Chalu Aahe (1971), Reshma Aur Shera (1971), Hulchul (1971), Kaadu (Kannada) (1973), Hindustan Ki Kasam (1973), Salaakhen (1975), Nishant (1975), Manthan (1976), Paapi Alibaba (1977), Marjinaa Immaan (1977), Dharam (1977), Bhumika (1977), Kondura (1978), Sawan Ko Aane Do (1979), Lakhan (1979), Jaani Dushman (1979), Hamare Tumhare (1979), Patthar Se Takkar (1980), Maan Abhiman (1980), Kalyug (1980), Chan Pardesi (1980), Aakrosh (1980), Qurbani (1980), Gehrayee (1980), Dostana (1980), Hum Paanch (1980), Krodhi (1981), Naseeb (1981), Vijeta (1982), Vidhaata (1982), Be-Shaque (1982), Johny I Love You (1982), Ashanti (1982), Aadat Se Majboor (1982), Apna Bana Lo (1982), Gandhi (1982), Shakti (1982), Main Inteqaam Loonga (1982), Mandi (1983), Hero (1983), Haadsa (1983), Ardh Satya (1983), Andha Kanoon (1983), Coolie (1983), Nishaan (1983), Zakhmi Sher (1984), Yeh Desh (1984), Party (1984), Jagir (1984), Duniya (1984), Awaaz (1984), Mashaal (1984), Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984), Gangva (1984), Jhootha Sach (1984), Kasam (1984), Paida Karne Wale Ki (1984), Zabardast (1985), Teri Meherbaniyan (1985), Phaansi Ke Baad (1985), Patthar Dil (1985), Paisa Yeh Paisa (1985), Ek Aur Sikander (1985), Mohabbat (1985), Karmayudh (1985), Aaj Ke Sholay (1985), Aghaat (1985), Meri Jung (1985), Ricky (1986), Pyar Ho Gaya (1986), Naseeb Apna Apna (1986), Nagina (1986), Mera Dharam (1986), Kaanch Ki Deewar (1986), Aap Ke Saath (1986), Sultanat (1986), Janbaaz (1986), Samundar (1986), Asli Naqli (1986), Tamas (mini television series) (1987), Sher Shivaji (1987), Jawab Hum Denge (1987), Inaam Dus Hazaar (1987), Dance Dance (1987), Dadagiri (1987), Loha (1987), Pyar Karke Dekho (1987), Madadgar (1987), Mr. India (1987), Hawalaat (1987), Sadak Chhap (1987), Pharam Dharam (1987), Shahenshah (1988), Nafrat Ki Aandhi (1989), Ghayal (1990), Saudagar (1991), Zindagi Ek Jua (1992), Divya Shakti (1993), Pehla Pehla Pyaar (1994), Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), Tu Chor Main Sipahi (1996), Himalay Putra (1997), Doli Saja Ke Rakhna (1998), Taal (1999), Shaheed Uddham Singh (2000), Censor (2001), Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahani (2002), The Hero: Love Story of a Spy (2003), Lakshya (2004), Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyo (2005), Kachchi Sadak (2006)
