Madan Puri

Madan Puri (30 September 1915 – 13 January 1985) was an Indian actor of Hindi and Punjabi films. His brothers were actors Chaman Puri and Amrish Puri. As a character actor mainly in negative roles (villain), he acted in about 430 films in a career spanning above fifty years.

Early life
Madan Lal Puri was born in Nawanshahr, Punjab, in a Punjabi Hindu family, to Nihal Chand Puri and Ved Kaur. He studied in Rahon.  He was the second of five children, with elder brother Chaman Puri, younger brothers Amrish Puri and Harish Lal Puri and younger sister Chandrakanta Mehra. He was an cousin of singing sensation Kundan Lal Sehgal.

Career
Puri was one of the doyens of the Indian film industry in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He was the first cousin of the singer K. L. Saigal, with whose help he started to make a mark in Bollywood. Once Puri was an established star he did the same for his brother, Amrish Puri, by helping him in establishing himself in the movie world.

Puri had an acting career which spanned over 40 years from the 1940s through to the mid-1980s. He appeared in more than 430 films. His film debut was titled Ahinsa in 1946. Madan made an average of eight films per year, playing villains and negative characters and the hero's or heroine's uncle, father or elder brother, grandfather, police officer and politician. He starred in a number of Punjabi films throughout his career such as Jatti, Jatt Punjabi and so on.

He died in 1985 of a heart attack at the age of 69. He was a resident of R P Masani Road in Matunga, Mumbai, also known as Punjabi Galli, with other actors of that era including the Kapoors. Several films were released after his death until 1989 with his final being Santosh.

Personal life
Puri's wife, Sheela Devi Puri (Wadhera), died a few years after him. Their son, Lt. Col. (Dr.) Kamlesh K. Puri, published a book about the life and times of Madan Puri titled "My Father, the Villain" in 2015 (the 100th anniversary of his birth).

Selected filmography

 Khazanchi (1941) as Kamal's friend (uncredited)
 Meri Bahen (1944)
 Kuldeep (1946)
 1857 (1946)
 Ahinsa (1946)
 Omar Khaiyyam (1946)
 Chittor Vijay (1947)
 Vidya (1948) as Harilal "Harry"
 Sona (1948, Short)
 Kamal (1949)
 Jeet (1949) as Ratan
 Singaar (1949) as Dr. Niranjan
 Imtihaan (1949)
 Namoona (1949) as Lachchhu
 Dil Ki Duniya (1949)
 Raat Ki Rani (1949)
 Madari (1950, Punjabi Movie)
 Anmol Ratan (1950)
 Nadaan (1951)
 Ada (1951)
 Nazaria (1952)
 Deewana (1952) as Phulwa
 Goonj (1952)
 Raag Rang (1952)
 Jaggu (1952)
 Mahatma (1953)
 Munna (1954)
 Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1954)
 Watan (1954)
 Mahatma Kabir (1954)
 Haar Jeet (1954)
 Amar Kirtan (1954)
 Rukhsana (1955)
 Tees Maar Khan (1955)
 Madhur Milan (1955)
 Lakhon Mein Ek (1955)
 Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje (1955) as Manilal
 Teen Bhai (1955)
 Bhagwat Mahima (1955)
 Vachan (1955) as Laxmidas
 Kala Chor (1956)
 Qeemat (1956)
 Aabroo (1956)
 Heer (1956)
 Nau Do Gyarah (1957) as Radhe Shyam
 Ek Saal (1957) as Dr. M.M. Puri
 Narsi Bhagat (1957) (uncredited)
 Sheroo (1957) as Villain (uncredited)
 Baarish (1957)
 Mirza Sahiba (1957) as Shamir
 Mohini (1957) as Pratap Singh
 Miss 58 (1958)
 Howrah Bridge (1958) as John Chang
 Balyogi Upmanyu (1958)
 Dilli Ka Thug (1958) as Bihari
 Kabhi Andhera Kabhi Ujala (1958)
 Taqdeer (1958)
 Trolley Driver (1958)
 Insan Jaag Utha (1959) as Mohan Singh
 Kanhaiya (1959) as Mano
 Chirag Kahan Roshni Kahan (1959) as Dr. Mehta
 Nai Raahen (1959)
 Charnon Ki Dasi (1959)
 Kala Bazar (1960) as Ganesh
 Jaali Note (1960) as Manohar (uncredited)
 Gambler (1960)
 Singapore (1960) as Chang
 Chaudhary Karnail Singh (1960, Punjabi Movie) as Buta K. Singh
 Kiklee (1960)
 Ghar Ki Laj (1960) as Gulab's Husband
 Modern Girl (1961) as Kamal Nath
 Flight to Assam (1961)
 Guddi (1961, Punjabi Movie) as Namberdaar
 Saaya (1961)
 Pyaar Ka Saagar (1961) as Bishen Chand Gupta
 Tel Malish Boot Polish (1961) as Girdhari
 Kala Chashma (1962)
 Gangu (1962) as Madan
 China Town (1962) as Joseph Wong
 Bees Saal Baad (1962) as Dr. Pandey
 Rakhi (1962) as Choudhary Bhagwandas
 Naughty Boy (1962) as R.L. Mathur 'Matur'
 Aeh Dharti Punjab Di (1963)
 Gehra Daag (1963) as Ramesh
 Ek Raaz (1963) as Chunilal
 Shikari (1963) as Jagdish
 Dekha Pyaar Tumhara (1963) as Madan
 Sunheri Nagin (1963)
 Godaan (1963)
 Khooni Khazana (1964)
 Main Jatti Punjab Di (1964, Punjabi Movie) as Para Lel
 Cha Cha Cha (1964) as Dance emcee
 Kashmir Ki Kali (1964) as Shyamlal
 Kohraa (1964) as Kamal Rai
 Ziddi (1964) as Moti
 Ayee Milan Ki Bela (1964) as Ratanlal
 Mr. X in Bombay (1964) as Rajan
 Shaheed (1965) as Jailor
 Gumnaam (1965) as Dr. Acharya
 Waqt (1965) as Balvir
 Main Wohi Hoon (1965) as Jagdish
 Neela Akash (1965) as Abdul
 Mohabbat Isko Kahete Hain (1965) as Kundan
 Do Matwale (1966)
 Street Singer (1966)
 Phool Aur Patthar (1966) as Boss
 Love in Tokyo (1966) as Asha's Uncle
 Sawan Ki Ghata (1966) as Limo
 Thakur Jarnail Singh (1966)
 Main Wohi Hoon (1966) as Jagdish
 Nasihat (1967) as Mr. Singh
 Naujavan (1967)
 Hamraaz (1967) as Captain (Rajesh's friend)
 Shagird (1967) as Madan Chicagowala
 Baharon Ke Sapne (1967) as Ranjeet
 Upkar (1967) as Charandas
 Aag (1967) as Kallu Singh
 Aamne Samne (1967) as Pran Mathur
 Dilruba (1967)
 Gunehgar (1967) as Murli
 Johar in Bombay (1967) as Gopal
 Hamare Gam Se Mat Khelo (1967)
 Ek Raat (1968) as Madan
 Duniya (1968) as Madan
 Humsaya (1968) as Prof. Tao Kai Chen
 Juaari (1968) as Bankelal
 Aankhen (1968) as Captain
 Kahin Aur Chal (1968)
 Ek Phool Ek Bhool (1968) as Boss
 Hai Mera Dil (1968) as Pyarelal
 Teri Talash Mein (1968) (uncredited)
 Aanchal Ke Phool (1968)
 Oos Raat Ke Baad (1969) as Thakur Madan Singh
 Sajan (1969) as Seth Dharamdas
 Aadmi Aur Insaan (1969) as Sabharwal
 Aradhana (1969) as Prison Warden
 Ittefaq (1969) as Public Prosecutor Khanna
 Pyar Hi Pyar (1969) as Dindayal
 Talash (1969) as Peter
 Tumse Achha Kaun Hai (1969) as Brothel Patron
 Pyar Ka Mausam (1969) as Shankar
 Shatranj (1969) as Comrade Chang
 Prem Pujari (1970) as Chang
 The Train (1970) as Yogi / No. 1
 Sawan Bhadon (1970) as Robber who robs Vikram
 My Love (1970) as Pran Mehra
 Bhai Bhai (1970) as Robbery Gang Leader
  (1970) as Vishnu Prasad
 Yaadgaar (1970) as Madan Singh
 Aag Aur Daag (1970) as Madanlal
 Choron Ka Chor (1970) as Madanlal
 Purab Aur Paschim (1970) as Preeti's dad
 Devi (1970) as Joginder
 Ehsan (1970) as Pawan Kumar
 Bahake Kadam (1971)
 Ek Paheli (1971) as Shankarlal
 Lakhon Mein Ek (1971) as Jaggu
 Haathi Mere Saathi (1971) as Ratanlal
 Purani Pehchan (1971) as Dr. Khoshla
 Elaan (1971) as Mr. Verma
 Rakhwala (1971) as Jwalaprasad
 Nadaan (1971) as Manglu
 Caravan (1971) as Mithalal Tota
 Woh Din Yaad Karo (1971) as Madan
 Hulchul (1971) as Mahesh Jetley
 Ramu Ustad (1971) as Madan
 Paras (1971) as Thakur Prithvi Singh
 Amar Prem (1971) as Nepal Babu
 Guddi (1971) as Lambhardara
 Sanjog (1972) as Shiv Dayal
 Dastaan (1972) as Public Prosecutor - Anil Kumar's case
 Haar Jeet (1972) as Madhusudan Gupta
 Apradh (1972) as German Doctor
 Anuraag (1972) as Amirchand
 Samadhi (1972) as Jaggu
 Jai Jwala (1972) as Kundan
 Janwar Aur Insaan (1972) as Gokulchand
 Apna Desh (1972) as Satyanarayan
 Shor (1972) as Factory owner (Guest Appearance)
 Double Cross (1972) as Maganbhai
 Rani Mera Naam (1972)
 Shehzada (1972) as Chanda's maternal uncle
 Gora Aur Kala (1972) as Raja Zoravar Singh (Anuradha's Father)
 Wafaa (1972) as Zamindar
 Sazaa (1972) as Shankar
 Bandagi (1972)
 Rut Rangeeli Ayee (1972) as Jaggu
 Dhund (1973) as Inspector Joshi
 Bandhe Hath (1973) as Shyamu's Mentor
 Loafer (1973) as Mr. Puri
 Daag: A Poem of Love (1973) as K.C. Khanna
 Bada Kabutar (1973) as Ghaffoor (uncredited)
 Joshila (1973) as Madanlal Dogra
 Dharma (1973) as Mangal Singh
 Black Mail (1973) as Dr. Khurana
 Khoon Khoon (1973)
 Kahani Hum Subb Ki (1973) as College Principle
 Gaddaar (1973) as Kanhaiya
 Naya Nasha (1973) as Protesting student's dad - Politician
 Hifazat (1973) as Saw Mill Owner
 Nafrat (1973)
 Wohi Raat Wohi Awaaz (1973)
 Daaman Aur Aag (1973) as Surajmal
 Ek Nari Do Roop (1973) as Belani
 Anuraag (1973) as Amirchand
 Manoranjan (1974) as Police Inspector
 Chor Machaye Shor (1974) as Seth Jamunadas
 Jab Andhera Hota Hai (1974) as Sohanlal Bhardwaj
  (1974) as Mr. M.M. Puri
 Bidaai (1974) as Dharam Das
 Benaam (1974) as Gopal
 Roti Kapda Aur Makaan (1974) as Nekiram
 Majboor (1974) as Mahipat Rai
 Pran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaye (1974) as Jagmohan
 36 Ghante (1974)
 Zehreela Insaan (1974) as John
 Charitraheen (1974) as Avinash
 Sauda (1974) as Dharamdas
 Satgur Nanak Bakshanhar (1974) as Malak Bhaago
  (1975) as Prakash
 Warrant (1975) as Professor Ashok Verma
 Deewaar (1975) as Samant 
 Zameer (1975) as Daku Maan Singh
 Dharmatma (1975) as Ranbir's Uncle
 Geet Gaata Chal (1975) as Sohan Singh
 Ponga Pandit (1975) as Shambhunath
 Dafaa 302: Indian Penal Code Section 302 (Section of Murder) (1975) as Inspector General of Police
 Angaarey (1975)
 Saazish (1975) as Wong
 Raftaar (1975) as Jackson
 Khalifa (1976) as Dharamdas Sharma
 Kalicharan (1976) as Jaagir Singh
 Bhanwar (1976) as John D'Souza / Johny
 Mehbooba (1976) as Sardar
 Fakira (1976) as Chiman Lal
 Bairaag (1976) as Glasco
 Barood (1976) as B. Puri - Bakshi's New York Associate
 Aaj Ka Ye Ghar (1976) as Sajjan's Father-in-law
 Aap Beati (1976) as Mayadas
 Daaj (1976) as Deen Dyaal
 Deewaangee (1976) as George
 Sher Puttar (1977) as Seth Madan Lal
 Paapi (1977) as Harnamdas
 Aaina (1977) as M.B. Patil
 Lachhi (1977) as Thanedaar Dharam Chand
 Dulhan Wahi Jo Piya Man Bhaye (1977) as Harkishan
 Wangar (1977) as Chet Ram
 Darinda (1977) as Thakur Saab
 Vishwasghaat (1977) as Uday's dad
 Mandir Masjid (1977)
 Kasum Khoon Ki (1977) as Shooter from Dubai
 Shirdi Ke Sai Baba (1977) as Ranvir Singh
 Chakkar Pe Chakkar (1977) as Swami Hari Om
 Ram Bharose (1977) as Boss
 Mera Vachan Geeta Ki Qasam (1977) as Preist
 Chaalu Mera Naam (1977) as Shyamlal
 Jai Ambe Maa (1977)
 Atyachaar (1978)
 Vishwanath (1978) as Pukhraj
 Ghar (1978) as Vikas' Father
 Naya Daur (1978) as Mehta
 Bandie (1978) as Bharatpur's Diwanji
 Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se (1978) as Mr. Mathur (Arun's dad)
 Swarg Narak (1978) as Lala Lalchand
 Aahuti (1978) as Heeralal
 Heeralaal Pannalaal (1978)
 Tere Pyaar Mein (1978)
 Chor Ho To Aisa (1978) as Chinaramu "Ramu"
 Aakhri Kasam (1979) as Malang Baba
 Badmashon Ka Badmaash (1979)
 Gawaah (1979)
 Aatish (1979) as Girdhari
 Gautam Govinda (1979) as Bagha
 Muqabla (1979)
 The Great Gambler (1979) as Ratan Das
 Noorie (1979) as Lala Karamchand
 Jaani Dushman (1979) as Blind Vaidji (Reshma's dad)
 Shaitan Mujrim (1979) as Dr. Kailash Naath
 Raadha Aur Seeta (1979) as Shankar Saxena
 Kaala Patthar (1979) as Vikram's father
 Lok Parlok (1979) as Kalicharan
 Shabhash Daddy (1979)
 Raakhi Ki Saugandh (1979) as Bachchan Singh
 Aur Kaun? (1979) as Kailash Nath
 Jaan-e-Bahaar (1979) as Ajit's maternal uncle
 Jatt Punjabi (1979) as Shah
 Zulm Ki Pukar (1979)
 Desh Drohee (1980) as Madan Lal
 Dam Maro Dam (1980)
 Dhan Daulat (1980) as Shanti's dad
 Zalim (1980) as Mr. Marshell
 Khwab (1980) as Ram Prasad
 The Burning Train (1980) as Ashok's dad
 Swayamvara (1980) as Makhanlal
 Hum Nahin Sudhrenge (1980) as Mr. Lakhanpal
 Alibaba Aur 40 Chor (1980) as Fatima's dad
 Jatti (1980) as Krishan Lal Kapoor
 Lahu Pukarega (1980)
 Ek Baar Kaho (1980) as Dr. Puri (Rajni's father)
 Abdullah (1980) as Military Commander
 Humkadam (1980) as Hari Harprasad
 Aap To Aise Na The (1980) as Khanna / Jagjit 'Jaggi' Singh
 Ek Gunah Aur Sahi (1980) as Mr. Verma
 Taxi Chor (1980) as Shamsher Singh / Anthony
 Bandish (1980)
 Fauji Chacha (1980)
 Judaai (1980) as Mr. Dube
 Yeh Kaisa Insaaf (1980) as Mr. Nath
 Patita (1980) as Jain's Father
 Saajan Mere Main Saajan Ki (1980)
 Dahej (1981)
 Parakh (1981)
 Naari (1981) as Shivdayal Verma
 Kranti (1981) as Sher Singh
 Nakhuda (1981) as Jagannath Gupta
 Mangalsutra (1981) as Badri Prasad
 Itni Si Baat (1981) as Darbarilal (as Madanpuri)
 Dahshat (1981) as Sameer's Father
 Pyaasa Sawan (1981) as Prabhudas
 Sahhas (1981) as Jaggan
 Prem Geet (1981) as Mr. Bhardwaj
 Khuda Kasam (1981) as Kishanlal (Guest Appearance)
 Chhupa Chhuppi (1981)
 Kahani Ek Chor Ki (1981)
 Sharada (1981) as Mr. Kohli (Anita's dad & Inder's boss)
 Poonam (1981) as Thakur Kishan Singh
 Josh (1981)
 Nai Imarat (1981) as Thakur Mahendra Pratap Singh
 Bharosa (1981)
 Beta (1982)
 Honey (1982)
 Haathkadi (1982) as Harimohan's Boss
 Patthar Ki Lakeer (1982)
 Sawaal (1982) as Govindram
 Badle Ki Aag (1982) as Mohanlal Verma
 Ghazab (1982) as Jatha Shankar
 Heeron Ka Chor (1982)
 Aadat Se Majboor (1982) as Dinanath Shastri
 Ayaash (1982) as Sansar
 Vidhaata (1982) as Khushiram Khusal Singh (K.K.)
 Apradhi Kaun? (1982) as Rai Bahadur Dindayal
 Dard Ka Rishta (1982) as Dr.Anuradha's Father
 Pyaas (1982)
 Dulha Bikta Hai (1982) as Seema's dad
 Khush Naseeb (1982) as Ghanshyam
 Sant Gyaneshwar (1982) as Mahapandit Vishoba
 Anmol Sitaare (1982)
 Humse Na Jeeta Koi (1983) as Girdhari
  (1983) as Police Inspector Gangaram
 Avtaar (1983) as Seth Jugal Kishore (Guest Appearance)
 Ganga Meri Maa (1983) as Roopa Daku aka Roopchand
 Andhaa Kaanoon (1983) as Jailor Gupta
 Painter Babu (1983) as Mali Kaka
 Jeet Hamaari (1983) as Avtar Singh
 Woh Jo Hasina (1983) as Damodar Das
 Naukar Biwi Ka (1983) as Movie Director
 Bade Dil Wala (1983) as Makhanlal
 Sweekar Kiya Maine (1983) as Lala Dhaniram
 Mazdoor (1983) as Daulatram
 Doosri Dulhan (1983)
 Paanchwin Manzil (1983) as Dr Radhamohan
 Agar Tum Na Hote (1983) as Shakur Ahmed
 Hero (1983) as Bharat
 Main Awara Hoon (1983) as Chandulal 'Paowala'
 Gulami Ki Zaanjeerein (1983)
 Mehndi (1983) as Madhuri's dad
 Dharti Aakash (1983, TV Movie) as Jagdish
 Hum Se Mile Tum (1984)
 Prerana (1984) as Jhumman Miya
 Sardaar (1984) as DharamDas
 Mashaal (1984) as Tolaram
 Aaj Ka M.L.A. Ram Avtar (1984) as Makhanlal Kesri
 Baazi (1984) as Durgaprasad Sharma
 Asha Jyoti (1984) as Badri Prasad
 Lorie (1984) as Mr. Kapoor (Father of 12 kids)
 Kunwari Bahu (1984)
 Raaj Tilak (1984) as Ranjeet
 Awaaz (1984) as Mirchandani
 Yaadon Ki Zanjeer (1984) as Mathur / Seth Mohandas
 Tere Mere Beech Mein (1984) as Mahajan
 Raja Aur Rana (1984) as Pinto
 Tarkeeb (1984)
 Waqt Ki Pukar (1984) as Subedhar
 Pyaar Bina Jag Soona (1985)
 Damad Chahiye (1985) as Shiv Prasad Gupta
 Pyaase Honth (1985) as Anand's Father in law
 Lava (1985) as Dayal
 Ram Tere Kitne Nam (1985) as Guru (uncredited)
 Jawaab (1985) as Lakhani
 Ulta Seedha (1985) as Colonel Khurana
 Yudh (1985) as Dayal
 Yaadon Ki Kasam (1985) as Bishambharnath Kapoor
 Baadal (1985) as Thakur Raghuvir Singh
 Bepanaah (1985) as Devilal
 Jhoothi (1985) as Professor Puri
 Babu (1985) as Shambhu Nath
 Cheekh (1985) as Thakur
 Sautela Pati (1985) as Madan Puri
 Pyaari Bhabhi (1985)
 Maujaan Dubai Diyaan (1985) as Jaganathan
 Teri Aarzoo (1985)
 Khel Mohabbat Ka (1986) as Rehman Khan
 Jaan Hatheli Pe (1986)
 Madadgaar (1987) as Advocate Gupta
 Khazana (1987) as Jai Singh
 Vishaal (1987) as Laawaris
 Saazish (1988) as Banerjee
 Santosh (1989) as Kaka
 Lakhpati (1991) as Manshukhbhai (final film role)

References

External links
 Watch his debut performance in Ahinsa on Gigaplex now
 

1915 births
1985 deaths
Punjabi Hindus
Punjabi people
Indian male film actors
People from Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar district
20th-century Indian male actors
Male actors in Punjabi cinema
Male actors in Hindi cinema