Two decades and a year have passed since Bollywood lost Amrish Puri, yet his magnetic villainy continues to captivate. Marking the somber occasion, Jackie Shroff poured his heart out remembering their ‘Mr. India’ days and the inimitable Mogambo.
The emotional post featured a rare behind-the-scenes snap from the 1987 blockbuster. Shroff captioned it with raw honesty: ‘Amrish ji, aapki yaadein taaza ho gayi aaj. Mogambo forever!’ The vulnerability struck a chord with millions.
Amrish Puri wasn’t just an actor; he was cinema’s definitive bad man. His booming voice, piercing gaze, and impeccable timing made every villain unforgettable. ‘Mr. India’ catapulted Mogambo to folkloric status across households.
Puri’s filmography reads like a greatest hits album. From Lamasaab in ‘China Gate’ to the fearsome Principal in ‘3 Idiots,’ he owned every frame. International audiences discovered him through Richard Attenborough’s ‘Gandhi.’
Jackie Shroff spoke of learning subtlety from Puri’s masterstrokes. ‘He taught me less is more in villainy,’ the actor revealed in past interviews. Their off-screen bond mirrored the film’s brotherly camaraderie.
Industry peers joined the remembrance. Boman Irani recalled Puri’s guidance during ‘3 Idiots.’ ‘He was a father figure on set,’ Irani shared. Meanwhile, Gen Z discovered Puri through OTT platforms and viral edits.
Puri’s death at age 72 shocked the industry. Multiple organ failure ended a career that influenced generations of actors. Nawazuddin Siddiqui often cites Puri as inspiration for nuanced negativity.
Shroff’s tribute coincides with growing demands for Mogambo-style villains in new cinema. As fans relive classics, Puri’s void feels deeper. Yet through reels and remakes, his essence endures.
On this anniversary, Bollywood collectively whispers, ‘Mogambo khush hua,’ honoring the man who made evil entertaining.