It's the 87th birth anniversary of late actor Amrish Puri and he still has a fond place in our memories. He was a brilliant actor and a terrific performer with so many iconic roles registered under his name. With his strong voice and intimidating personality, Amrish Puri will always be Bollywood's favourite villain and its most treasured memory. Didn't we all dread Mogambo or fear the strict Bauji in Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge? That's the beauty of a versatile actor who can easily make you fall in love or hate his different characters. Amrish Puri Birth Anniversary: 7 Villainous Looks of the Actor That Completely Bowled Us Over.

Amrish Puri has played so many popular characters throughout his Bollywood journey. It's difficult to pick the best among the lot but we tried! We tried and chose seven of his exemplary performances that are still so popular among the masses and difficult to imitate. Yes, the ruthless Balraj Chauhan from Nayak is one among them. Let's have a look at the rest of them. Boney Kapoor CONFIRMS 'Mr India' Reboot and Franchise and Curious To Know Who'll Reprise Sridevi and Amrish Puri's Role.

Bauji from DDLJ

That very famous scene when Amrish Puri lets his daughter live her life is something that still gives us goosebumps in a good way. Chaudhry Baldev Singh was a proud father who loved his family but he was strict when it comes to following one's traditions and his love for his own country couldn't be even. He was a man of his words and who better than Amrish Puri to play such a strong and disciplinary character?

Mogambo from Mr India

Mogambo khush hua! We all shivered as kids when Amrish Puri uttered this iconic line of his. While Anil Kapoor had his popular watch and red glasses, Amrish Puri had a mere line and yet he was able to leave a lasting impression on our minds. Mr India had tons of reasons to be successful. There was Sridevi and her chemistry with Anil Kapoor of course but the most memorable part about this entire project was Amrish Puri's costume, his hairdo and that one line.

Bhairon Nath in Nagina

Yup, the iconic tune immediately starts ringing in your ears the second we talk about Nagina. Amrish Puri as Bhairon Nath was an apt villain for Sridevi's Rajni. Though the premise looks foolish but let's not forget that Ekta Kapoor has produced one of the most successful shows around the same storyline. Amrish Puri as Nath was stubborn and fearful. We are still unable to pick a different name who could have nailed this role as well as the veteran himself.

Balraj Chauhan in Nayak

The selfish, ruthless politician who can go to any lengths to secure his political career - meet Amrish Puri as Maharashtra CM, Balraj Chauhan. He is willing to give his CM ki kursi for one day and that's the turning point in this film's storyline. While Anil Kapoor was everyone's favourite and a 'Nayak' in every possible way, Amrish Puri's very famous on-screen debate was whistle-worthy. Not to forget his dialogue during the riots.

Mola Ram in Indiana Jones

He played the villain in Spielberg's directorial 'Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom'. His character's name was Mola Ram, a thuggee Indian priest who performs rituals of human sacrifices. You know Amrish Puri was a brilliant actor when Steven Spielberg mentioned that he has never a villain as good as Amrish Puri.

Chadda in Damini

Amrish Puri was a shrewd villain in Rishi Kapoor, Sunny Deol and Meenakshi Sheshadri's Damini. If Sunny's Tareekh pe Tareekh dialogue is still one of your favourite dialogues in the history of Bollywood, let's not forget  Amrish Puri's contribution to it at the same time. Oh! and that famous, weird hairstyle! Only Amrish Puri's Chadda could carry it.

Colonel Jugraj Singh in Mujhse Shaadi Karogi

Apart from playing some good and evil characters, Amrish Puri also had a brilliant comic timing. And you have the proof in Salman Khan, Priyanka Chopra and Akshay Kumar's Mujhse Shaadi Karogi. He played Priyanka's father and a retired colonel who's always at loggerheads with Salman's Sameer Malhotra. The movie was a huge commercial success and we are glad for Amrish Puri was a part of it.

 

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 22, 2019 09:00 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).