Mumbai: Budding actor Vardhan Puri has shared some of his fondest memories of his late grandfather, actor Amrish Puri, on the latter's birth anniversary.
Amrish Puri was born on June 22, 1932. He gave many memorable performances in Bollywood, including arthouse films such as Nishant, Manthan and Bhumika, as well as commercial hits such as Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Karan Arjun and Nayak: The Real Hero. He is best remembered for his role as Mogambo in Mr. India. He made an international mark playing Mola Ram in Steven Spielberg's Indian Jones And The Temple Of Doom, long before it became fashionable for Bollywood stars to foray Hollywood.
For Vardhan of course, he was more than an accomplished actor.
"We were best friends before being anything else. When he was around, I did not need anybody else. He was so gentle with all the children. We used to bond over classic cinema, Discovery channel and cartoons. He really was a gentle giant and the most loving man I have ever come across," Vardhan told IANS.
"He was kind, compassionate and so full of love for anyone and everyone. He had an amazing sense of humour, and women and children felt very secure in his company. We have never heard him raising his voice or getting angry like he would do in films. It is still so difficult for me to separate the grandfather from the actor and superstar that he still is. We all miss him terribly," he added.
