Father of the Week: Amrish Puri

Fondly known as the month of the fathers, the month of June is well and truly here. A figure who is not only known for having a strong heart, but in contradiction is also the one who feels the most emotions despite not wishing to display it too often. Paying a tribute to on-screen fathers of Bollywood, here is one who portrayed the figure wholeheartedly, the late Amrish Puri.

Born on June 22nd, 1932 was the legendary Mogambo, Amrish Puri, will always top the list of fathers. His roles have managed to either move the Indian audience or sympathize with his character. He has played characters for the most famous of playwrights such as Satyadev Dubey and Girish Karnad during the 1960's, and that's what gave Puri the success he needed to drive forward. He has worked in Hindi, Telugu, Kannyada, Malyalam, Marathi, Tamil, Punjabi as well as Hollywood movies, being popularly remembered for his role in Steven Spielberg's Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom in 1984.

Puri is particularly remembered for playing the hubristic father to Simran (Kajol Devgn) in Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), who was unfathomable and definitely despised by many Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol supporters because his role was of that father who didn't want his daughter to get married to an "awaara" (spoilt child).

Following this stint came the year of double hits. First as Kishorilal in Pardes (1997) who was in search of an Indian bride for his westernized son Rajiv, played by Apoorva Agnihotri. Kishorilal brings the poor Ganga (Mahima Chaudhary) to his house with the dull hopes of changing his son. How that portrays Puri as an understanding father who later shuns his own son and accepts Ganga as his daughter was rather heartwarming for the Indian audience.

Earlier in the year came Virasat in which Puri essayed the role of Raja Thakur. He played a father to yet another son, Shakti Thakur (Anil Kapoor) who he had sent to London for studies. When Shakti returns to the village that his father owns, he is forced into uplifting the uneducated brothers of his society. Puri's role as a Thakur left a strong social message for the uneducated, along with a Filmfare and a Star Screen award for the Best Supporting Actor.

Much later came the Akshay Kumar, Priyanka Chopra and Salman Khan starrer Mujhse Shaadi Karogi? which saw Puri as Chopra's father, Colonel Jugraj Singh; a man who is soft at heart but was always the unfortunate target of the Sameer (Khan) who is in love with his daughter. The comedy was the turning point that showcased Puri as an entertaining father too. From the well-remembered Baldev Singh in Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, he had definitely changed the views of many with his role in this movie. 

Departing from us on January 12th, 2005, he left many of his fans in shock and utter grief. With his great screen presence and ability to enact the tiniest of emotions, Amrish Puri has managed to capture the hearts of many young girls who saw their father figure in him.

Here's to hoping that this article is a reminiscence of Amrish Puri's early and best days. A tribute to the most deserving man, who was no less than an inspiration to many young men of Hindi cinema. BollyCurry hopes that his soul rests in peace.


Author: Saraa K.
Editor(s): Urooj K. and Sonia R.
Graphics: Marsh P.

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