Director Steven Spielberg has worked with various actors throughout his career, however, there was this one Bollywood actor whose work ethic left the director amazed. Actor Amrish Puri was one of the most prominent figures in Indian cinema in the 1980s and 1990s. Thanks to his popularity in India, Spielberg was eager to hire Puri to star as Mola Ram in his 1984 movie Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, however, Puri was working in 22 films simultaneously back then so, Spielberg decided to visit him in India to audition him.
In the end, Puri agreed to work with Spielberg and the director hoped to work with the actor again, however, that was their last collaboration. Amrish Puri passed away in 2005 after suffering from suffering from myelodysplastic syndrome, a rare kind of blood cancer.
Steven Spielberg came to India to audition Amrish Puri
In June, actor Amrish Puri’s son, Rajeev Puri, told ETimes that his father was auditioned by director Steven Spielberg in India because he was fond of his work. Rajeev Puri recalled,
“I remember the time when Steven Spielberg came down to audition my father. Spielberg and his team had zeroed down on dad [Amrish Puri], but they were zapped when they were told that dad was working on 22 films at the same time. They were just wondering how it was even possible,” adding, “It was the only time Steven Spielberg came to India to audition an actor, as he was very curious to meet dad.”
Spielberg wanted Puri to play the role of Mola Ram in his 1984 movie Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Right before Puri was offered the role, he shaved his head for another movie. Spielberg liked the look and asked him to keep it that way.
Amrish Puri got a lot of Hollywood offers
Thanks to Spielberg’s Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Puri became a well-known name in the entertainment industry. His son recalled that he got a lot of opportunities but he turned them down,
“After the success of Indiana Jones, he got a lot of offers from the West, his agents asked him to sign films. But Dad was devoted to the Indian film industry and he decided to continue here. And by god’s grace, he was doing very well here.”
Steven Spielberg was stunned when he got to know about Puri’s dedication. The actor’s outstanding performance left Spielberg impressed and he also gave him a note that said,
“To my best villain, you are unique in all the world as a bad guy and in the real world we live in. You are a terrific human being. I loved every minute of our work together, can’t wait to work with you again.”
Unfortunately, Amrish Puri passed away in January 2005 after he slipped into a coma. The actor was suffering from myelodysplastic syndrome, a form of blood cancer.
