Personal Information

Full Name: Amrish Lal Puri

Nickname: Mogambo

Country/State: India

Date of Birth: 1932-06-22

Languages Known: Hindi, Punjabi, English, Urdu

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Food Habit: Non-Vegetarian

Religion: Hinduism

Hobbies: Collecting over 200 hats from around the world, traveling, listening to Indian classical music

Education

School: Not publicly

College: B.M. College, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

Degrees Obtained: Graduate (Bachelor's degree, likely in Commerce)

Physical Stats

Height: 178 cm

Weight: 80 kg

Family Information

Parents: Father: Lala Nihal Chand (or Nihal Chand Puri) Mother: Ved Kaur

Siblings: Elder Brothers: Chaman Puri (actor), Madan Puri (actor) Elder Sister: Chandrakanta Younger Brother: Harish Puri

Marital Status: married

Wife: Urmila Divekar

Children: 2

Career

Current Position: Late Actor, Theater Artist (legendary Bollywood and theater figure; career 1967–2005)

Skills:

Net Worth: Approximately $20 million USD (₹150-200 crore equivalent at time of death in 2005; legacy assets passed to family)

Awards & Achievements: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Theater (1989) National Film Award – Special Jury Award (1987) for contributions Filmfare nominations for Best Supporting Actor (e.g., Mr. India, Gandhi) Iconic villain roles: Mogambo (Mr. India), Mola Ram (Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom), Kancha Cheena (Agneepath), Thakur Baldev Singh (Karz), roles in Gandhi, Nayakan, Ghayal Over 450 films (Hindi, international, regional); bridged theater to cinema; remembered as one of Bollywood's greatest villains

Biography Details

Amrish Puri (June 22, 1932 – January 12, 2005) was a legendary Indian actor renowned for his commanding presence and deep baritone voice, making him Bollywood's quintessential villain. Born in Nawanshahr, Punjab, to Lala Nihal Chand and Ved Kaur in a Punjabi Hindu family, he was brother to actors Madan Puri and Chaman Puri. After graduating from B.M. College, Shimla, he worked as a clerk before excelling in theater with IPTA.

Debuting in films in the late 1960s, he gained fame with roles in Gandhi (1982), Mr. India (1987 as Mogambo), and Hollywood's Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984). Married to Urmila Divekar since 1957, father to Rajiv and Namrata. He passed away in Mumbai at 72 due to a brain hemorrhage. His legacy endures through iconic menacing roles and tributes in 2026.

• January 12, 2026: On his 21st death anniversary, actor Jackie Shroff paid a heartfelt tribute via Instagram, sharing a powerful 17-second black-and-white video montage of archival photos with dates (June 22, 1932 – January 12, 2005), captioned "Remembering Amrish Puri ji on his death anniversary." Fans and media hailed it as deeply moving.
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• January 12, 2026: Multiple outlets (Times of India, Social News) celebrated his iconic villainous roles (Mr. India's Mogambo, Agneepath, Gandhi, Indiana Jones), with photostories and articles calling him the "voice and villain" whose presence still commands reverence.
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• Ongoing: Tributes emphasized his theater roots, over 450 films, and family legacy (son Rajiv, daughter Namrata); no major new projects, but archival revivals and fan posts continue highlighting his timeless menace and vulnerability in roles.

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