Amrish Puri, one of Bollywood's most brilliant actors whose distinctive baritone gave life to a variety of roles from that of a villain to a benevolent father, died here Wednesday following brain haemorrhage.

India's film industry plunged into sorrow as the 72-year-old thespian who took to acting in movies way back in 1971 breathed his last at the Hinduja Hospital. He is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.

Hospital sources said Puri fell at his home last week, leading to a blood clot in the brain for which he underwent surgery. He was already under treatment for malaria when he slipped into a coma from which he never recovered.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was among the millions of fans around the country who mourned the death, saying Amrish's commanding and endearing presence would forever be missed.

The 'Mogambo' of Indian cinema was born June 22, 1932, and made his Bollywood debut in 1971 with "Reshma Aur Shera" after several years as a theatre and advertising personality.

He was immensely popular in radio and film commercials before Bollywood beckoned.

But it was his memorable role as a cruel, feudal landlord in Shyam Benegal's "Nishant" that catapulted him to fame, earning for him a unique place in the Hindi film industry for over three long decades.

Virtually all of Bollywood trooped to the Hinduja Hospital on hearing of his death. The funeral is likely to take place Thursday.

Javed Akhtar, the noted writer lyricist, echoed a widely held sentiment: "He was not just a brilliant actor but also a wonderful person."

Kamal Haasan, who starred with Amrish in the comic caper "Chachi 420", added: "He was a true gentleman-actor."

In Kolkata, Prime Minister Singh issued a statement: "I am deeply saddened to learn that the veteran stage and film actor has passed away.

"Puri made a mark on stage and went on to become one of the most recognisable faces in Hindi cinema as well as among international audiences.

"Indian cinema and theatre will without doubt miss his commanding an endearing presence."

Amrish straddled the worlds of art and commercial cinema with ease and came to be best known for his role as the comic book villain Mogambo in Boney Kapoor's "Mr India".

He went on to do roles in Hollywood like Steven Spielberg's "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" and "Gandhi".

His last film was "Hulchul" with Akshay Khanna, Jackie Shroff and Kareena Kapoor.

Amrish's portrayal in diverse roles whether in art house cinema like "Nishant" and "Bhumika" or in mainstream commercial films like "Chachi 420" or "Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge" endeared him to a wide range of cinema viewers.

One of three brothers, Amrish's elder brothers Chaman and Madan Puri were actors long before Amrish.

What endeared many to Amrish, even more than his acting, was his deep echoing voice - one that fitted his role of villains.

"Those weren't easy years for me," he once said. "Recognition was hard to come by, and I had a family to support. I took on any and every villain's role that came my way."