Amrish Puri’s portrayal of the mega-villain, ‘Mogambo’ in Mr. India has a cult-like following, with its immense popularity persisting for nearly four decades after its release. The film made the veteran actor a household name. However, there was another popular actor, known for his antagonistic roles in the ’80s, who was first slated to portray the character of ‘Mogambo’. The actor was none other than Anupam Kher. However, the actor recently revealed that he was kicked out of the film over a disagreement with Mr. India director, Shekhar Kapur.
Anupam Kher said that he was fired from the sets of Mr. India and replaced by Amrish Puri for ‘Mogambo’
Anupam Kher in a podcast with Raj Shamani said that if arrogance is used in the right way, then it is ‘not a negative quality’, similarly, jealousy is also ‘healthy if used in the right manner’. When asked if he ever felt jealous, Anupam recalled the time when he was removed from Mr. India and was replaced by the late actor, Amrish Puri, to play the role of the iconic villain, ‘Mogambo’.
The Hum actor revealed that he had even started the shoot of the film for a month or two, after which he was fired from the set by the filmmakers. However, Anupam stated that when he saw Amrish Puri’s portrayal of ‘Mogambo’ after Mr. India was released, he thought it was the right decision. In fact, the ‘Mogambo’ actor himself wrote in his autobiography, The Act of Life, that he was apprehensive about taking the role after many of the scenes had already been shot. Talking about how he was replaced by Amrish Puri in Mr. India, Anupam Kher said:
“Mogambo’s role was offered to me before Amrish Puri. However, after one or two months, the filmmakers replaced me. When you are dropped from a film then generally an actor feels bad, but when I watched Mr India and saw Amrishji’s work as Mogambo then, I thought that makers of the film took the right decision by casting him in their film.”
Anupam Kher revealed the reason why he was replaced by Amrish Puri as ‘Mogambo’
Director of Mr. India, Shekhar Kapur and Anupam Kher had very different opinions on the character of ‘Mogambo’. The actor revealed that he would have played ‘Mogambo’ as a Machiavillian character, that is, sly, cunning and manipulative. Anupam said that after watching the film, he knew that he would not have played the character so ‘stiffly’. Though he understands the makers decision now, the actor said that he felt very belittled, hurt and jealous back then. Anupam Kher said:
“After watching the film, I knew that I wouldn’t have played the character so stiffly. Me and Shekhar had a different idea for the character, he would’ve been more Machiavellian.I felt belittled. I wondered why I had been replaced, why I had been fired. It’s natural to feel small. They did it for themselves. But that I understand now. Back then, I felt inferior, hurt, and jealous. ‘How could he get the role?’”
What are your thoughts on Anupam Kher being replaced by Amrish Puri to play ‘Mogambo’ in Mr. India?
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