The Tragic Incident on the Set of ‘Jaal: The Trap’ That Led to Amrish Puri’s Death; The Iconic Villain Became ‘Ganda Khoon’

January 12 marks the death anniversary of Amrish Puri, one of Indian cinema’s most iconic villains. The legendary actor passed away in 2005 due to a rare blood cancer, myelodysplastic syndrome, following complications from a brain hemorrhage. In an interview, his son Rajeev Puri revealed a startling incident that may have contributed to his father’s fatal blood disorder.

A Legendary Career in Villainy
Amrish Puri, born on June 22, 1932, in Nawanshahr, Punjab, rose to fame through theatre before becoming one of the most revered actors in Bollywood. Known for his booming voice and powerful screen presence, he appeared in over 450 films, winning three Filmfare Awards for Best Supporting Actor and holding the record for the most nominations for Best Villain. His role as Mogambo in Shekhar Kapoor’s Mr. India remains unforgettable, and he became the highest-paid villain of his time, commanding ₹1 crore for the film.

The ‘Jaal: The Trap’ Set Accident
Rajeev Puri recounted that during the filming of Guddu Dhanoa’s ‘Jaal: The Trap’ (2003) in Himachal Pradesh, Amrish Puri suffered severe injuries to his face and eyes in a stunt gone wrong. A motorcycle sequence, rigged with a machine to allow dialogue delivery while riding, malfunctioned. Amrish fell to the ground while actor Sunny Deol’s bike skidded past him. The actor was rushed to a local hospital where he required multiple blood transfusions due to severe bleeding. Rajeev revealed that the transfused blood may have been infected, which later caused his father’s blood disorder.

Decline in Health and Private Struggle
After returning from Himachal, Amrish Puri began experiencing extreme weakness and loss of appetite. Diagnosed with a blood disorder, he kept his condition private, sharing it only with his family. Despite his illness, he continued working tirelessly, completing multiple films to avoid impacting filmmakers’ schedules.

Final Days and Passing
By December 2004, after completing his films, Amrish Puri spent most of his time at home. On the morning of January 12, 2005, he collapsed due to a brain hemorrhage and was rushed to the hospital. Despite surgery and extensive medical care, he passed away at the age of 72.

Family and Legacy
Amrish Puri was married to Urmila Divekar and had two children: Rajeev Puri, married to Meena Puri, and Namrata Puri, married to Shirish Bagwa. His grandson, Vardhan Puri, made his acting debut in 2019 with Ye Saali Aashiqui.

A Void in Bollywood Villainy
Amrish Puri left a void in Indian cinema that has yet to be filled. While many actors have attempted to recreate his villainous charisma, none have succeeded. His death changed the portrayal of villains in films, leading to the rise of grey-shaded characters where heroes too could exhibit villain-like traits. Amrish Puri remains the only villain whose heroism on screen matched, and sometimes surpassed, that of the leading heroes.