Mola Ram is the sinister cult leader played by Amrish Puri in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.
Mola Ram leads the Thuggee cult from the temple at Pankot. In the story, the cult worships the Hindu goddess Kali and uses enslaved children to search for Sankara Stones and expand its power.
Amrish Puri, one of India’s best-known actors, portrayed the villain with elaborate costumes, intense makeup, and a commanding screen presence. The role became one of his most internationally recognized performances.
Mola Ram is distinct from Chattar Lal, the prime minister of Pankot Palace, and from Kao Kan, the henchman who serves the cult. Those characters are also antagonists, but neither is the cult’s leader.