Mogambo's 'Act of Life' released

Mumbai, May 25 (UNI) Though the 'Mogambo' of Bollywood is no more to see his magic with pen, veteran actor late Amrish Puri's 'The Act of Life' autobiography was released here today.

While releasing the book co-authored by journalist and writer Jyoti Sabharwal, noted director Shyam Benegal said, ''He was unlike other stars one comes across. He was not ego-centric at all.

He never saw himself as the centre of attention anywhere.'' While reading out excerpts from the actor's book, actor Anupam Kher said, ''I don't believe in touching anybody's feet in the industry. But, I touched Amrish Puri's feet. He commanded that kind of respect.'' Puri's mentor Satyadev Dubey said he compares Amrish Puri to a coal miner who keeps on digging till he finds the proverbial diamond.

'The Act of Life' records triumphs of Puri in an era in which commerce sought reconciliation with art and where he showed intellectual nimbleness to give authority to both negative and positive roles. Famous as 'Mogambo' character from the movie 'Mr India', the book reflects on the actor's life, particularly in Bollywood, where he portrayed both villiany and humbleness in the various roles he enacted.

According to the book, the veteran actor's earliest roles were in the pathbreaking films of Shyam Benegal and Govind Nihalani and then, talks of the challenge he faced to persuade producers that his talent was saleable.

The book has been released by Stella publishing house.

UNI LS GK SHR PC1719