It may be hard to picture anyone other than Amrish Puri as Mogambo in the classic film “Mr India.” Surprisingly, Anupam Kher was almost cast in the role. Anil Kapoor’s intervention led to Amrish Puri ultimately taking on the iconic character.
During an episode of “The Anupam Kher Show – Kucch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai,” Anupam Kher revealed this interesting tidbit. He mentioned that initially, Javed Akhtar had suggested Amrish Puri for the role. Kher expressed disappointment at missing out on the opportunity.
Despite the missed chance, Anupam Kher and Anil Kapoor developed a strong friendship over the years. Anil Kapoor later admitted that he was the reason Kher did not get the part. Reflecting on the decision, Anil Kapoor praised Amrish Puri’s outstanding portrayal of Mogambo.
“Mogambo Khush Hua” remains a famous line from the movie, solidifying Mogambo as one of Indian cinema’s most memorable villains. “Mr India,” directed by Shekhar Kapur and produced by Boney Kapoor and Surinder Kapoor, is a significant milestone in Bollywood history.
