The making of Mogambo

On his 88th birth anniversary, Boney Kapoor recalls how Amrish Puri became Mogambo in Mr India

Whenever one discusses the most popular villains in Hindi films, the list is incomplete without Mogambo from Mr India, a character played by veteran actor Amrish Puri. But many don’t know how the look of the iconic antagonist, whose catchphrase ‘Mogambo khush hua made the role even more memorable, was created.

Producer Boney Kapoor, who backed the 1987 film, said when it came to casting for Mogambo, the makers wanted a new villain. The search for Mogambo went on for two months, but to no avail. Later the producer-writer Javed Akhtar and director Shekhar Kapur decided on Puri’s name.

According to Boney Kapoor, the veteran actor, who would have turned 88 on Monday, was so excited about the role that he got a sketch made of his look complete with the wig, costume and accessories.

The producer promised well-known Bollywood tailor Madhav Agasti that if he replicated the sketch, he will pay him double the price.

“He was so excited that he worked on his look with Madhav tailor and his make-up man Govind. While the dialogues and the punch-line were written in the script by Javed sahab, his look added the chaar chaand in the personality of Mogambo,” the filmmaker said.

“I will give the credit to him for that look and the way he played Mogambo, rest is history as they say,” the producer said about Puri.

—PTI