The Indian cinema industry has always been fortunate to have a large number of recognizable performers who gave their all onscreen to delight the audience. Some of them, though, are simply a notch above others since their behavior served as a model for succeeding generations. One such performer was Amrish Puri, who many movie reviewers, famous people, and viewers consider the greatest villain in Bollywood history.

Amrish Puri's birth, parents, and early career

In his successful career, Amrish Puri has appeared in more than 450 films and won various accolades for his outstanding acting abilities. The film's attractive hero wasn't quite as engaging for the audience as his deep voice and commanding screen presence. Films like Vidhaata, Shakti, Meri Jung, Mr. India, Shahenshah, Ram Lakhan, Tridev, Ghayal, Damini, Karan Arjun, Jeet, Koyla, Nayak: The Real Hero, Ghatak, Ghayal, and many others are among Amrish Puri's most well-known works.

Amrish Puri was one of the highest-paid performers in Bollywood at the time because, more than the movie's main characters, it was his aura and fear that began filling theatres. Even though the majority of Amrish Puri's life is known, there are a few unique facts about him that will astound you. So without further ado, let's discuss some of Amrish Puri's lesser-known facts!

Amrish Puri was the Cousin of legendary singer K.L. Saigal

The legendary villain Amrish Puri's cousin is the legendary singer K.L. Saigal, whose music has moved and inspired countless listeners over the years. Yes! You got the words right. The two maestros are related because Amrish Puri and K.L. Saigal are first cousins. After all, K.L. Saigal's mother was the real sister of Amrish Puri's father, S. Nihal Singh Puri.

Amrish Puri worked at an insurance company at the age of 22 years

Amrish Puri made the decision not to pursue his acting career after receiving his first rejection at the age of 22 at an audition. Following that, he began working as a clerk for a government insurance firm. Amrish Puri met legendary theatrical director and drama teacher Ebrahim Alkazi while working as a clerk in an insurance business, and he advised him to try his luck in theatre.

Amrish Puri joined a theatre right away, but although he was still a student there, he first helped out by cleaning the stage and doing other tasks. Amrish Puri eventually won over theatre directors by demonstrating the strength of his acting, though, and in 1970 he received his first significant break in the movie Prem Pujari. He ultimately decided to resign from his 22-year government position at that point.

Amrish Puri's costume for the Mogambo role made at 25,000 in 1985

Although the renowned actor has played several gruesome parts throughout his career, it is fair to assume that everyone still remembers Amrish Puri as the evil Mogambo from the movie Mr. India. However, Amrish Puri's costume cost a total of Rs. 25,000 in 1985, which was a significant figure at the time.

Amrish Puri locked himself in a Room for 20 days to prepare for Mogambo's role

Amrish Puri spent 20 days alone in a room to execute one of his most enduring roles, Mogambo in Mr. India. The actor secured his chamber so that not even sunlight could enter. Amrish Puri gave a very remarkable performance that will undoubtedly be remembered for years to come.

Amrish Puri always wears two different sizes of shoes

Even though Amrish Puri was only 5 feet 10 inches tall, he always seemed much taller on the big screen. His feet were also rather uncommon, so his height wasn't the only intriguing aspect of him. Amrish previously wore size 11 shoes on one foot while size 12 shoes were on the other. Because of the varied shoe sizes, his designer developed particular provisions for his shoes to prevent him from becoming overly uncomfortable.

Amrish Puri also worked in Hollywood movies Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

Amrish Puri demonstrated the strength of his acting abilities outside of Bollywood in Hollywood as well. In the movie Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, the legendary actor played Mola Ram and collaborated with one of the greatest directors of all time, Steven Spielberg. The actor Steven said that Amrish was his favorite villain, which was praise considering how little criticism his character faced in India.

Amrish Puri slapped Govinda for coming late on sets

Amrish Puri was also leaving a lasting impression with the release of each of his films during Govinda's reign on the silver screen. In numerous flicks, the two gave their all. Amrish Puri did once slap Govinda for arriving late to the sets, though. According to the stories, all of the performers were supposed to come at 9 am, but Govinda showed up on the sets at 6 pm, infuriating the renowned villain. The matter was resolved after the veteran actor eventually apologized to Govinda for slapping him on the set.

Amrish Puri scolded Aamir Khan when he worked as a continuity supervisor

Govinda wasn't the only actor, however, to be traumatized by Amrish Puri's rage; during his early years of working in the film industry, Aamir Khan also endured grilling. Aamir was collaborating with his uncle Nasir Hussain as a continuity manager before becoming an actor. A young Aamir was instructed to maintain the continuity of the famed villain one day while filming with his uncle Nasir Hussain and legendary performer Amrish Puri.

Aamir's repeated continuity errors, however, infuriated Amrish, who reprimanded the young man in front of everyone. Nasir, the film's director, intervened and told Amrish that it was his fault and that Aamir was simply carrying out his duty. The actor later expressed regret to Aamir.

Amrish Puri's wife, Urmila Deveker, and their kids, Namrata Puri and Rajiv Puri

While employed by an insurance business, Amrish Puri met Urmila Deveker, the woman who would become his wife. They fell in love and decided to be married while still coworkers at the same firm. However, due to the cultural differences between them, when they told their separate families about their relationship, they were against it. However, Amrish and Urmila's families eventually came to an understanding, leading to their marriage. Rajeev Amresh Puri and Namrata are the children of Amrish Puri and Urmila Deveker.

Rajeev Amresh Puri, Meena Puri's son, and Vardhan Puri, their gorgeous son, are the parents of Amrish Puri. Amrish Puri, the eponymous villain's grandson, is an actor who aspires to build on his family's illustrious legacy in Bollywood.

Amrish Puri sadly passed away on January 12, 2005, as a result of blood malignancy. Even now, it's difficult to predict whether another actor as talented as him would top Amrish Puri's reputation as a dreadful villain in the Hindi film business.