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Steven Spielberg called him the greatest villain in the world. And few would dispute this statement. With big Gothic eyes, a baritone voice, and good physique, Amrish Puri had evil written all over his face. Leave aside the reel crimes, Puri could intimidate people simply with his eyes. Hindi cinema has produced many a lecherous villain but none with the persona of Puri, none who evoked the same fear as the hefty Punjabi did.
For all his evil looks though, there was a lighter side to Puri. No, we are not talking about his off-screen image, where he was counted among the finest of gentlemen. The late actor committed the most heinous reel crimes, but often in these films we saw a jovial side to him as well in song-and-dance sequences.
Hindi cinema is famous for providing villains their odd moment of bliss. The 1980s and 1990s often saw a seductress, or a leading lady, woo the bad men, diverting their attention from the heroes, who secretly took the henchmen out, bust the consignment of illegal goods, and rescued their mothers and other damsels in distress.
These songs were almost like a last wish before death for the villains. The filmi gods let them rejoice one last time before engulfing them into flames of hell. Of all the villains, Amrish Puri was the one who seemed to enjoy these songs the most. There was almost a child-like innocence in Puri.
On his 84th birth anniversary, we look at some of the memorable dancing moves by the big bad Amrish Puri.
2 Shom Shom – Tehelka (1992)
His catchline in the film was, 'Uparwala wrong ho sakta hai, but Dong kabhi wrong nahi hota'. The 1992 action thriller saw Puri croon as he had done in a few of his other films, but this time he also burnt the dance floor like a star. Shom Shom Shamo Sasha, we leave it to you to decipher the lyrics. But Puri danced like there was no tomorrow. Hands, limbs and braid, there was no part of his body that Dong didn't shake. He even wielded a sitar like a guitar. Has anyone seen Puri in this rockstar avatar before?
3 Mashuka Mashuka – Aaj Ka Arjun (1992)
Dressed in his traditional princely suit, Jodhpuri trousers and long leather boots, Amrish Puri was enamoured by the flap dance of Jaya Prada. The fine Scotch eventually triggering a adrenalin rush, our man starts crooning in the most devilish voice and shakes a leg.
4 Chal Ganne Ke Khet Mein – Tarazu (1997)
After watching this video it would be impossible to believe that Amrish Puri played the villain in Tarazu. He took to the microphone again for a song that seemed to have come straight from a Bhojpuri film. 'Chal Ganne Ke Khet Mein', you are free to draw your own conclusion what for. What stood out here though was Puri, who played a South Indian character, getting into Padosan mode and dressing and dancing like Mehmood’s famous character Master Pillai from the 1968 comic caper. The happiness on Puri's face while playing the dhol is indescribable.
5 Gupchup Gupchup – Karan Arjun (1995)
It's a classic 1990s flick sequence. The heroes are out to bust the baddies and destroy their illegal goods. Bindiya (Mamta Kulkarni) played the desi seductress to the T while Karan (Salman Khan) and Arjun (Shah Rukh Khan) go about their business discreetly. Thakur Gurjan Singh and Gang are merrily enjoying the show put by Bindiya. Thakur is sipping his whiskey and gets a 440 volt shock the moment Bindiya dances closer to him. Hands on knees, Thakur is stuck on a cot, and then in the same position, shakes his head and body vigorously. Puri's expressions resemble those of a tot watching a battery-operated toy. Do watch out for the bhangra-cum-dandiya attempt by Thakur in the end, it will have you laughing out loudly.
6 Oye Oye – Tridev (1989)
Who wouldn’t dance for joy if you had three ethereal beauties – Sangeeta Bijlani, Madhuri Dixit, and Sonam – around you? Bhujang (Puri) even lent his voice briefly to this popular composition by Viju Shah. Puri's recital of Oye Oye and his jigs left the audience yelling 'Oye hoye’!
7 Dil Le Gayi – Vishwatma (1992)
All through the song, Amrish Puri has a serious look in his face, but Naseeruddin Shah’s comical choreography eventually wins him over. Watch how Puri and gang hold hands together and indulge in some merry-go-around-style dance.
8 Chal Kheva Re – Doli Saja Ke Rakhna (1998)
He didn’t play the bad guy here, but a jovial Konkani fisherman Jojo Pinto. Over 65 then, it was a difficult task for Puri to dance atop a fishing boat. With the burden of evil off his shoulder, Puri danced in rhythmic style, not forgetting to enjoy his country liquor. Pinto and crew netted a good catch, but this image of Puri dancing caught the attention of the viewers.