Danny Denzongpa

Danny Denzongpa
Denzongpa in February 2010
Born	Tshering Phintso Denzongpa 25 February 1948[1] Gangtok, Sikkim
Residence	Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Nationality	Indian
Occupation	Actor Singer Businessman
Years active	1963–present
Spouse(s)	Gawa Denzongpa
Children	Rinzing Denzongpa, Pema Denzongpa

Danny Denzongpa (born 25 February 1948) is an Indian actor, of Sikkimese Bhutia descent, working in Bollywood films though he has also appeared in several Nepali, Tamil, Bengali & Telugu films as well and is also film director and singer as well. He has acted in around 190 Hindi films since 1971. In 2003, Denzongpa was awarded the Padma Shree, India's fourth highest civilian honour.^[2] Denzongpa is noted for his villainous and character roles. Danny's film career spans more than 4 decades. He has also starred in some international projects, the most famous being Seven Years in Tibet where he acted alongside Hollywood actor Brad Pitt.

Early life and education

Danny was born to a Buddhist family in Gangtok, Sikkim^[3] (the 22nd state of India since 1975) where he did his schooling from Birla Vidya Mandir, and thereafter completed his college from St Joseph's College, Darjeeling, in 1964.^[4][5] Denzongpa's love of horses and horse riding began at an early age, as his family was into horse breeding. He is also a painter, a writer and a sculptor.

He nursed an ambition to join the Indian Army and won the Best Cadet award from West Bengal and participated in the Republic Day parade. In an interview to The Times of India newspaper, he said that he had qualified for prestigious Armed Forces Medical College, Pune but withdrew admission to join Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune. He decided to change his name to a simpler sounding "Danny" as his original name was tough to be pronounced by other students. The name has stuck since.^[6]

Acting career

During his early film career, Danny used to practice learning Hindi by talking to the ocean.

He started out with B.R. Ishara's Zaroorat in 1971 (released in 1972) which was his debut movie. He got his major break in Gulzar's Mere Apne (1971), where he had positive role. He had his first major negative role in B.R.Chopra's 'Dhundh' (1973), where he played the role of a crippled and frustrated husband, which showed his power to emote. Danny, in the 1970s period, was increasingly open to do versatile roles, but chose to do more positive roles. It is said Danny was the first choice to play the iconic role of Gabbar Singh in the film Sholay. However, since he was away on the shoot of Feroz Khan film Dharmatma, eventually Gabbar's role went to Amjad Khan. He played the second lead hero and had more positive roles in commercially successful critically acclaimed films like Chor Machaye Shor, 36 Ghante, Fakira, Sangram (1976), Kalicharan, Kala Sona and Devata (1978).

After his performance in the film Devata (1978) he started getting more significant lengthy roles. He was simultaneously part of big budget movies like Aashiq Hoon Baharon Ka, Paapi, Bandish, The Burning Train and Chunoti in negative roles.

In the early 1980 period, he had thought of quitting films. He said in an interview, when asked why he decided to direct a film, "I remember in 80′s I was so fed up of the films I was doing. Those days every villain was a dacoit and I remember going on the sets where an actor called Tiwari was my henchmen and my den was a cave with lanterns. Next day I went on another set and I saw Tiwari again as my henchman, and the same lanterns. I asked myself what was I doing? I left Mumbai. I did lot of trekking and did not do films for a couple of years. I told NN Sippy about a script that I had in mind. and he asked me to direct. I made Phir Wohi Raat with Rajesh Khanna and my then girlfriend Kim." ^[7] After the success of his directorial debut, he received offers to act as the hero again in the films like Bulundi and Hum Se Badkar Kaun in 1981, which became successful. He played double role in the film Bulundi. However, most of the subsequent films of Danny between 1981-83 were not successful. Hence Danny started accepting supporting roles, often playing a character quite older than his real age. He played Kumar Gaurav’s father in law in Love Story (1981) and Mithun Chakraborty’s father in Boxer (1984). He started increasingly getting offers to play the negative character in Hindi films, post success of films Phir Wahi Raat, Jeeo Aur Jeene Do and Dharm Aur Qanoon. He then went on to play the roles of the villain many times since 1984. Since 1984 and through the 1990s, Danny mainly featured as the lead negative character opposite all the leading actors of those times such as Rajesh Khanna, Dharmendra, Jeetendra, Mithun Chakraborty, Vinod Khanna, Anil Kapoor and Sunny Deol.

His most applauded negative characters are in Dharm Aur Qanoon (1984) as SP Karan, Kanoon Kya Karega (1984) as Raghuvir Singh, Andar Baahar (1984) as Shera, Oonche Log (1985) as Thakur Maan Singh, Aandhi Toofan (1986), Bhagwaan Dada (1986) as Gangwaa, Agneepath (1990) as Kancha Cheena, Hum (1991) as Bakhtawar, Ghatak: Lethal as Kaatya, Krantiveer (1994) as Chatur Singh , Pukar (2000) as Abhrush and Indian as Shankar Singhania. He was pitted against Pran in the film Sanam Bewafa and 1942:A Love Story. His command over the Hindi language came in handy in films such as Sawan Kumar's Sanam Bewafa and Mukul Anand's Khuda Gawah.

At a time, when he was increasingly doing negative lead roles, Rajkumar Santoshi cast him as the positive role in China Gate (1998). In the early 2000s, Danny gave stellar performances in movies such as Asoka and 16 December (2002). Some of the antihero roles he played included an unscrupulous politician, corrupt policeman, traitor, and mingy landlord. He has also starred in some international projects, the most famous being Seven Years in Tibet where he acted alongside Hollywood actor Brad Pitt.

Danny, in early 2003, decided to take a break from films as he wanted to do different but strong roles, even if it was a negative character. He appeared in only 10 films between 2003-2009.

He then made a strong comeback as the villain with his role in Enthiran. He made his debut in the Tamil films with Enthiran, co-starring Rajinikanth and Aishwarya Rai in the leads. Denzongpa played the antagonist role of Bohra, a prominent scientist who transforms Chitti (played by Rajinikanth) into an evil robot. He then started playing villain in big budget movies like Jai Ho (2014) co-starring Salman Khan, Bang Bang (2014) co-starring Hrithik Roshan.

He has recently played the role of a coordinator, Feroz Khan in the 2015 hit Baby co-starring Akshay Kumar.

Singing career

He is an accomplished singer having sung with Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammed Rafi and Asha Bhosle, three stalwarts of Indian music with music. He was first given a chance to sing by Dev Anand in the film Yeh Gulistan Hamara in 1972. Danny sang a duet with Lata Mangeshkar - Mera Naam Aao picturised on Johnny Walker and Jayshree.T. He has released Nepalese songs and has sung for Nepalese movies. His two most famous songs recorded in the 1970s but still popular are "Chiso Chiso Hawama" ("In the cool air") and "Manko kura lai bandhi narakha..."("Do not keep the words of the heart tied"). He sang a duet Suno Suno Kasam Se in Kala Sono with Asha Bhosle and sang a duet Mujhe Dostaon Tum Gale Lagalo with Rafi in 1978 film Naya Daur - both of which were composed by R.D. Burman.

He has sung a Nepali duet with Asha Bhosle, "Aage aage topai ko gola pachhi pachhi machinegun barara" in 1976. R.D. Burman composed the song - Sang Mere Nikle The Sajan from the 1981 film Phir Wohi Raat, which was directed by Danny himself - after getting inspired from melody of the Nepali folk song sung by Danny 'Aage Aage Topaiko Gola'. All of his Nepali songs are hits and people like them even today. "Hiun vanda chiso, Aago vanda taato..." ("Colder than snow, hotter than fire.."), "Naachana hoi maichyan hau nachana"' ("Dance o lovely girl"), "Jhimkai deu pareli manma bajchha mitho murali..." ("Please blink your eyes and sweet sound of flute plays in the heart), "Rato rani phulay ghain sanjama", "Pani Hai Paryo Jhyaure" etc. are some of his few hit numbers. He gained popularity as a singer in the period 1975-1990 especially in places like Nepal, Darjeeling, Sikkim and Assam.

He wrote and acted in the Nepali film Saino which was a super hit. His nephew Ugyen Chhopel directed it. He has sung its title song and a duet with Deepa Narayan, wife of Udit Narayan. Later, this film was made in Hindi as Ajnabi as a telefilm for Doordarshan.

Personal life

Danny, who married Gawa Denzongpa, a Sikkimese princess and niece of the last chogyal from his hometown of Gangtok, currently resides in Juhu, Mumbai. He had a relationship with actress Kim Yashpal in 80's who was a leading actress in films from late 70's to early 90's. Since 2003, he has become more selective for the roles he plays. He works on his own terms in the movies he signs. His brother owns a bouj and beer factory in Melli, Sikkim.

Honours

Year	From	Award	Won/Honored
2003	Government of India	Padma Shri	Honoured

Awards

Year	From	Award	Film	Won
1979	Filmfare Awards	Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award	Devata	No
1985	Filmfare Awards	Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award	Kanoon Kya Karega	No
1990	Filmfare Awards	Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award	Agneepath	No
1992	Filmfare Awards	Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award	Sanam Bewafa	Yes
1992	Filmfare Awards	Filmfare Best Villain Award	Hum	No
1992	Filmfare Awards	Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award	Khuda Gawah	Yes
1995	Filmfare Awards	Filmfare Best Villain Award	Krantiveer	No
1995	Filmfare Awards	Filmfare Best Villain Award	Vijaypath	No
1996	Filmfare Awards	Filmfare Best Villain Award	Barsaat	No
1997	Filmfare Awards	Filmfare Best Villain Award	Ghatak	No

As director

Year	Film	Director
1980	Phir Wahi Raat	Yes
Unknown	Ram	Yes

Filmography

Year	Film	Role/Notes
2015	Baby	Firoz
2014	Bang Bang!	Omar Zafar
2014	Jai Ho	Home Minister Dashrat Singh
2013	Boss	Big Boss (Mentor of Boss-Akshay Kumar)
2010	Enthiran	Professor Bohra (Tamil)
2009	Acid Factory	Om
2008	Luck	Tamang
2008	Karzzzz	Kabira
2008	Chamku	Baba
2007	Big Brother	police commissiner kulkarni
2007	Hattrick	David Anna
2007	Frozen	Karma
2004	Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyo	Colonel Ashfaque Khan
2004	Shikaar	Darshan Damania
2003	Sandhya
2003	Ek Hindustani	Special Appearance
2002	Soch	Nautiyal
2002	Ab Ke Baras	CBI Officer Sikander Baksh
2002	16 December	Vir Vijay Singh
2002	Yeh Mohabbat Hai	Aman Khan
2001	Moksha	Bachelor Simon
2001	Indian	Shankar Singhania
2001	Lajja (2001 film)	Gajendra
2001	Aśoka	Virat
2001	Pukar	Abhrush
2001	Officer	Pratap Rai/Dushyant Singh
2000	Tune Mera Dil Le Liya
1999	Silsila Hai Pyar Ka	Jabhal Khargoshi
1999	Dahek: A Burning Passion	Jabbar Bahkshi
1999	Kohram	Minister Virbhadra Singh
1998	Zulm O Situm	Sikander
1998	Vinashak - Destroyer	Jailer Lankeshwar
1998	China Gate	Maj. Ranjir Singh Gurung
1997	Udaan	Mr. Rana
1997	Dhaal: The Battle of Law Against Law	Advocate Diwan
1997	Himalay Putra	Rana
1996	Ghatak: Lethal	Katya
1996	Rajkumar
1996	Army	Naagraj
1996	Shastra	Babu
1996	Army	.nagraj
1995	Barsaat (1995 film)	ACP Neghi
1995	Sarhad: The Border of Crime
1994	Vijaypath	Dilawar Singh
1994	Chauraha	Baba Bhatti
1994	Krantiveer	Chatursingh
1994	Mohabbat Ki Arzoo	Jagpal Singh alias Jaggu dada
1993	1942: A Love Story
1993	Dhartiputra	Major Hisht
1993	Gurudev	Khakan
1993	Prateeksha	Dinesh Khanna
1993	Sangram	Madhu's father
1993	Tahqiqaat	Bhanu Pratap
1992	Drohi (Antham - Telugu)	J.P. Sethi (Raghav's boss)
1992	Balwaan	Bhaiji
1992	Khule-Aam	Insp. Uday Singh/Insp. Ranvir Singh Rathod
1992	Khuda Gawah	Khuda Baksh
1991	Lakshmanrekha	Birju
1991	Vishnu-Devaa	Thakur Shamsher Singh/Samppat
1991	Hum	Bakhtawar
1991	Bahadur	Bahadur (Bengali)
1991	Sanam Bewafa	Sher Khan
1991	First Love Letter	Thakur Ajit Singh
1991	Yodha	Daaga/Justice Dharmesh Agnihotri
1990	Agneepath	Kancha Cheena
1990	Pyaar Ke Naam Qurban	Prince Yeshwant Singh
1990	Chingariyan
1990	Jagira
1990	Shandaar	Dhaga
1990	Shesh Naag
1989	Shehzaade	(uncredited) Thakur Roshan Singh
1989	Jung Baaz	Mahakal
1989	Kasam Suhaag Ki
1989	Galiyon Ka Badshah	Inspector Vijay
1989	Khoj
1989	Saaya
1989	Ustad
1988	Commando	Ninja
1988	Shoorveer	Shankar
1988	Ek Hi Maqsad	Inspector. Deepak
1988	Mardon Wali Baat	Raja Sunder Singh
1988	Gunahon Ka Faisla
1988	Janam Janam
1988	Jeete Hain Shaan Se	J.P.
1988	Mera Shikar
1988	Paap Ki Duniya	Pasha
1988	Yateem	Girivar Prasad Mathur
1987	Saino	(Nepali Film)
1987	Itihaas
1987	Faqir Badshah
1987	Aag Hi Aag	Daulat Singh/Choudhury
1987	Deewana Tere Naam Ka	Shambhu
1986	Chambal Ka Badshah	Sultan
1986	Bhagwan Dada	Shambu Dada
1986	Allah Rakha
1985	Maha Shaktiman	aka Maharudra (India: Bengali title)
1985	Yudh	Gama Maating/Mr. Chinoy
1985	Jawaab	Seth. Jagmohan
1985	Aandhi Toofan
1985	Aitbaar	Inspector Barua
1985	Oonche Log	Thakur Maan Singh
1985	Patthar Dil	Jung Bahadur
1984	Andar Baahar	Shera
1984	Farishta
1984	Boxer	Dharma
1984	Jagir	Danny
1984	Kanoon Kya Karega
1984	Manzil Manzil	Gautam (Pahadi Baba)
1984	Mera Dost Mera Dushman
1984	Pyar Jhukta Nahin
1983	Mujhe Insaaf Chahiye
1983	Lovers
1983	Ganga Meri Maa
1983	Andha Kanoon	Akhbar Ali
1982	Raj Mahal
1982	Kachche Heere	Arjun
1982	Prahari	(Bengali)
1981	Love Story	Ram Dogra
1980	Chunaoti
1980	Kali Ghata	Kishore
1980	Abdullah	Khaleel
1980	Bandish	Kapil Kumar
1980	Bulundi	Lobo
1980	The Burning Train
1980	Choron Ki Baraat
1980	Phir Wahi Raat	Ashok
1979	Griha Pravesh	Danny
1979	Aaj Ki Dhara	Danny
1979	Lahu Ke Do Rang
1978	Lal Kuthi	(Bengali)
1978	Devata	Inspector Lawrence
1978	Naya Daur
1977	Aashiq Hoon Baharon Ka	Vikram (Jamunadas' son)
1977	Abhi To Jee Lein	Danny
1977	Chandi Sona
1977	Khel Khilari Ka
1977	Mit Jayenge Mitane Wale
1977	Paapi	Abdul
1976	Fakira	Munna/Ajay/Toofan
1976	Kalicharan
1976	Laila Majnu	Prince Bahksh
1976	Sangram	Salim/Altaf
1975	Aakhri Dao	Robert
1975	Apne Rang Hazaar
1975	Dharmatma	Jangoora
1975	Kala Sona
1975	Ponga Pandit	Rocky
1975	Raftaar
1975	Rani Aur Lalpari
1975	Zorro
1974	Chor Machaye Shor
1974	36 Ghante	Dilawar Khan
1974	Khote Sikkay	Danny
1973	Dhund	Thakur Ranjit Singh (crippled husband)
1973	Khoon Khoon	remake of Dirty Harry (English)
1972	Milap
1972	Rakhi Aur Hathkadi	Raja
1972	Yeh Gulistan Hamara
1971	Mere Apne	Sanju
1971	Zaroorat

References

1. "Star birthdays in February". MSN. 31 January 2014. Archived from the original on 27 February 2014. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
2. "Padma Awards" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2015. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
3. Gupta, Priya (22 January 2014). "Salman Khan is the Amitabh Bachchan of the 80s: Danny". The Times of India. TNN. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
4. Denzongpa, Danny. "Short biography". Celebrity Kick. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
5. Denzongpa, Danny. "(Talk about your background) Salman Khan is the Amitabh Bachchan of the 80s: Danny". Retrieved 14 July 2015.
6. Somaaya, Bhawana (26 September 2003). "1984 DANNY DENZONGPA". Screen magazine.
7. http://www.canindia.com/2013/08/my-son-has-to-fight-his-own-battle-danny-denzongpa/#

External links

• Danny Denzongpa at the Internet Movie Database