Amrish Puri was a force to be reckoned with in Indian cinema. Though he’s no longer with us, his powerful voice and exceptional acting continue to leave a lasting impression. People still fondly remember him for his iconic roles and memorable performances.
One interesting anecdote from his career has been making the rounds. It’s about a scene from the 1977 film “Bhumika,” where he starred alongside Smita Patil. In an old interview, Amrish Puri shared a fascinating story about filming a particular scene where he had to slap Smita Patil. But what’s remarkable is that he asked the director, Shyam Benegal, for permission to slap her for real.
Amrish Puri recalled, “There’s a scene where I’m trying to stop Smita Patil from going out, and she responds by talking back to me. I had to get up and slap her, but I asked Shyam Benegal if I could slap her for real. He agreed, saying, ‘Go ahead and slap her.'” Smita Patil wasn’t told about the plan, so her reaction would be genuine.
As Amrish Puri began the scene, Smita Patil asked him a question, and he responded. She then replied, and he got up, angry, and slapped her. Her reaction was completely natural, and that’s what made the scene so powerful.
Unfortunately, both Amrish Puri and Smita Patil are no longer with us. Smita Patil passed away in 1986, while Amrish Puri died in 2005 due to a brain hemorrhage. Despite their passing, their legacies live on through their incredible body of work.