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Bad man’s good show

Amrish Puri won over the audience both with his impassioned negative portrayals as well as comic roles, writes M.L. Dhawan

Amrish Puri who died on January 12 was considered the scariest villain of Hindi cinema. He came to Bollywood to become a hero, but made his debut as character-actor Rehmat Khan in Sunil Dutt’s Reshma Aur Shera. However, the intensity and passion that a negative character oozes fascinated him. In Shyam Benegal’s Nishant, he played a cruel medieval zamindar who ruled the village ruthlessly. With this portrayal Amrish struck terror and drove the audience to hate his character.

Later Amrish played the demonic zamindar named Duryodhan in Hum Paanch. In the opening scene of the film, he kills a pigeon with his scarf, puts it in his plate and cries nashta. With this ferocious and depraved character, Amrish’s stature as a villain was established.

In Spielberg’s Indiana Jones And The Temple of Doom, Amrish, as Mola Ram, epitomised viciousness. As a terrorising warlord who pulls out a man’s heart and lets it pulsate in his hand, he sent shudders down the spine of cinegoers. Rolling eyes, a booming and roaring voice, towering persona and an iron physique earned him a permanent place in the Hall of Infamy. His splendid portrayals and versatile performances in over 200 films during his three-decade stint in the film industry evoke the feeling that none else could have done better than him. Amrish was at his best while depicting all that was evil, venomous, crooked and crafty.

Playing the bad guy film after film can get repetitive for any artiste, but Amrish innovated himself in every role. In films like Vidhata, Shakti and Mashaal he held his own with an actor like Dilip Kumar. He was accepted as a versatile actor and became a ready choice whenever intensity was required in a role. What set him apart from other villains of his time was his effective exploration of his raucous voice and explosive dialogue delivery. With each new role, Amrish took evil to new heights. Through his distinct style coupled with his demeanour, he lent a new touch to the character of villain.

Even as his venomous performance in Nagina was outstanding, it would be no exaggeration to say that Mr India was the crowning glory of Amrish’s career. He played a comic psychotic dictator with aplomb.

Attired in gold and black embroidered jacket and a curly golden wig, Amrish played the menacing Mogambo who lived in an island with blinking lights, sliding doors and an acid pool. The perverse glee he displayed in torturing his opponents touched a new low in villainy. His famous catch line Mogambo khush hua... became a rage. He repeated this phrase differently at different points in the film. In terms of focus, Damini was one of Amrish’s best films. He had a small but well-etched role as an advocate — Inderjit Chadha. He captivated the cinegoers with his quirky mannerisms like flicking his locks.

Though Amrish loved to play the bad guy, he handled all kinds of roles adroitly. As Baldev Singh in Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, he oozes charisma and magic when he cajoles kabootars to say ‘Aao aao’. In Pardes, Amrish portrays the turmoil of people living away from India.

During 1980-90s, Amrish reached the zenith of his career. In films like Shararat, Jhoot Bole Kawa Kate, Chachi 420, Ab Tumhare Hawale Wattan Sathiyo and Lakshya Amrish’s appeal in comic and serious roles was thumpingly ratified. His contribution to cinema is almost legendary. Even at 72, he was at his creative best. His death has caused a void, too deep to be filled.

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