Danny Denzongpa

Tshering Phintso "Danny" Denzongpa (born February 25, 1948) is a Bollywood actor. He is of Sikkimese ancestry. Denzongpa was born in the state of Sikkim, at that time an independent monarchy. He is an ethnic Bhutia and speaks Bhutia as his mother tongue. He started his career by singing Indian Nepali songs and acting in Indian Nepali movies. He has acted in numerous Hindi films such as Ashoka and 16 December. He has also starred in some international projects, the most famous being Seven Years in Tibet where he acted alongside Hollywood actor Brad Pitt. In 2003, Denzongpa was awarded the Padma Shree, India's fourth highest civilian honour. Denzongpa is noted for his roles as a villain.

Early career

Denzongpa's love of horses and horse riding began at an early age, as his family was into horse breeding . 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 told that he had qualified for the prestigious Armed Forces Medical College however after the Sino-Indian War of 1962, his mother pleaded with him to give up joining the army after several people of their village were killed. Danny then enrolled in the Film institute in Pune.

Film career

During his early film career, Danny used to practice learning Urdu, the lingua franca of Bollywood at that time by talking to the ocean. The Urdu came in handy in films such as Sawan Kumar's Sanam Bewafa and Mukul Anand's Khuda Gawah where he played the role of Pathans.

He started out with B-grade movies such as Zaroorat in 1971, and later moved on to Mere Apne and Kala Sona where he played more positive roles. He then went on to play the roles of the villain in numerous roles. Some of the antihero roles he played were an unscrupulous politician, corrupt policeman, traitor, and mingy landlord. He got his major break in Gulzar's Mere Apne, and later in B R Chopra's Dhund where he played a crippled and frustrated husband. He missed out on one of the most famous villain roles in Indian Cinema, that of Gabbar Singh for Sholay. He was the original choice for the role but had to back out because of a clash of dates. The character later became an icon and made Amjad Khan a star overnight.

He is also an accomplished singer having sung with Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammed Rafi and Asha Bhonsle, three stalwarts of Indian music. He has released Nepalese songs and has sung for Nepalese movies. His two most famous songs are "Chiso Chiso Hawama", and "Rato Rani Phule". He is also a painter, a writer and a sculptor. Denzongpa owns two breweries, one in South Sikkim, and the other in the state of Orissa. He currently resides in Juhu in Mumbai. In recent times he has become more selective as to the roles he plays.

Films

1. Chamku (2008)
2. Big Brother (2007)
3. Hattrick (2007)
4. Frozen (2007)
5. Jaan Ki Baazi (2006) (post-production)
6. Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyo (2004) (Colonel Ashfaque Khan)
7. Shikaar (2004)
8. Sandhya (2003)
9. Parwana (2003)
10. Ek Hindustani (2003) (Special Appearance)
11. Soch (2002) .... Nautiyal
12. Ab Ke Baras (2002) .... CBI Officer Sikander Baksh
13. 16 December (2002) .... Vir Vijay Singh
14. Yeh Mohabbat Hai (2002) .... Aman Khan
15. Moksha (2001) .... Bachelor Simon
16. Indian (2001) .... Shankar Singhania
17. Lajja (2001) (aka The Shame).... Gajendra
18. Asoka (2001) .... Virat ... aka Ashoka the Great (India: English title) (USA) ... aka Samrat Ashoka (India: Tamil title: dubbed version)
19. Pukar (2000) .... Abhrush
20. Officer (2000) .... Pratap Rai/Dushyant Singh
21. Tune Mera Dil Le Liya (2000)
22. Silsila Hai Pyar Ka (1999) .... Jabhal Khargoshi
23. Dahek: A Burning Passion (1999) .... Jabbar Bahkshi
24. Kohram: The Explosion (1999) .... Minister Virbhadra Singh
25. Zulm O Situm (1998) .... Sikander
26. Vinashak - Destroyer (1998) .... Jailer Lankeshwar
27. China Gate (1998) .... Maj. Ranjir Singh Gurung
28. Udaan (1997) .... Mr. Rana
29. Seven Years in Tibet (1997) .... Regent
30. Dhaal: The Battle of Law Against Law (1997) .... Advocate Indrajit
31. Diwan
32. Himalay Putra (1997) .... Rana
33. Ghatak: Lethal (1996) .... Katya
34. Rajkumar (1996)
35. Army (1996) .... Naagraj
36. Shastra (1996) .... Babu
37. Barsaat (1995) .... ACP Neghi
38. Sarhad: The Border of Crime (1995)
39. Vijaypath (1994)
40. Chauraha (1994) .... Baba Bhatti
41. Krantiveer (1994) .... Chatursingh
42. Mohabbat Ki Arzoo (1994) .... Jagpal Singh alias Jaggu dada
43. 1942: A Love Story (1993) (as Danny Dengzongpa) .... Major Hisht Dhartiputra (1993)
44. Gurudev (1993) (as Danny Denzongappa) .... Khakan
45. Prateeksha (1993) .... Dinesh Khanna ... aka Prateeksha (India: Hindi title: alternative transliteration)
46. Sangram (1993) .... Madhu's father
47. Tahqiqaat (1993) .... Bhanu Pratap
48. Drohi (1992) .... J.P. Sethi (Raghav's boss)
49. Antam (1992) .... J.P.Sethi ... aka Anth (India: Hindi title: dubbed version)
50. Balwaan (1992) .... Bhai
51. Khule-Aam (1992) .... INSP. Uday Singh/INSP. Ranvir Singh Rathod
52. Khuda Gawah (1992) .... Khuda Baksh ... aka God Is My Witness
53. Lakshmanrekha (1991) .... Birju ... aka Lakhsman Rekha (India: Hindi title: alternative transliteration)
54. Vishnu-Devaa (1991) .... Thakur Shamsher Singh/Samppat
55. Hum (1991) .... Bakhtawar ... aka We
56. Sanam Bewafa (1991) .... Sher Khan
57. First Love Letter (1991) .... Thakur Ajit Singh
58. Yodha (1991) .... Daaga/Justice Dharmesh Agnihotri
59. Agneepath (1990) .... Kancha Cheena ... aka The Path of Fire
60. Pyaar Ke Naam Qurban (1990) .... Prince Yeshwant Singh
61. Baaghi (1990)
62. Chingariyan (1990)
63. Jagira (1990)
64. Shandaar (1990) .... Dhaga
65. Shesh Naag (1990)
66. Shehzaade (1989) (uncredited) .... Thakur Roshan Singh
67. Jung Baaz (1989) (as Danny) .... Mahakal
68. Kasam Suhaag Ki (1989)
69. Galiyon Ka Badshah (1989) .... Inspector Vijay
70. Khoj (1989)
71. Saaya (1989)
72. Ustad (1989) .. aka Conman (International: English title)
73. Commando (1988) .... Ninja
74. Shoorveer (1988) .... Shankar
75. Ek Hi Maqsad (1988) .... Inspector. Deepak
76. Mardon Wali Baat (1988) .... Raja Sunder Singh ... aka A Man's Job
77. Gunahon Ka Faisla (1988) .... Dacoit
78. Janam Janam (1988)
79. Jeete Hain Shaan Se (1988)
80. Mera Shikar (1988)
81. Paap Ki Duniya (1988) .... Pasha
82. Yateem (1988) .... Girivar Prasad Mathur
83. Itihaas (1987)
84. Aag Hi Aag (1987) .... Daulat Singh/Choudhury
85. Deewana Tere Naam Ka (1987) .... Shambhu
86. Chambal Ka Badshah (1986) .... Sultan
87. Bhagwan Dada (1986) (as Danny) .... Shambu Dada
88. Adhikar (1986) .... Vishal's lawyer (special appearance)
89. Allah Rakha (1986)
90. Maha Shaktiman (1985) ... aka Maharudra (India: Bengali title)
91. Yudh (1985) .... Gama Maating/Mr. Chinoy
92. Jawaab (1985) .... Seth. Jagmohan
93. Aandhi Toofan (1985)
94. Aitbaar (1985) .... Inspector Barua ... aka Trust
95. Oonche Log (1985) .... Thakur Maan Singh
96. ... aka High Society
97. Patthar Dil (1985) .... Jung Bahadur
98. Andar Baahar (1984) .... Shera
99. Farishta (1984)
100. Boxer (1984/I) (as Danny) .... Dharma
101. Jagir (1984) .... Danny ... aka Teen Murti (India: Bengali title) ... aka The Estate ... aka The Three Idols
102. Kanoon Kya Karega (1984) ... aka What Can the Law Do?
103. Manzil Manzil (1984) .... Gautam (Pahadi Baba)
104. Mera Dost Mera Dushman (1984)
105. Pyaar Jhukta Nahin (1984)
106. Mujhe Insaaf Chahiye (1983)
107. Lovers (1983/I)
108. Ganga Meri Maa (1983)
109. Andha Kanoon (1983) .... Akhbar
110. Raj Mahal (1982)
111. Kachche Heere (1982) .... Arjun ... aka Rough Diamonds
112. Love Story (1981) .... Ram Dogra
113. Chunaoti (1980)
114. Kali Ghata (1980)
115. Abdullah (1980)
116. Bandish (1980/I) .... Kapilkumar ... aka Restriction
117. Bulundi (1980)
118. The Burning Train (1980)
119. Choron Ki Baraat (1980)
120. Phir Wohi Raat (1980) .... Ashok
121. Griha Pravesh (1979) (as Danny) ... aka The Housewarming
122. Aaj Ki Dhara (1979) (as Danny) ... aka Aaj Ki Radha
123. Lahu Ke Do Rang (1979) ... aka Two Shades of Blood
124. Devata (1978) .... Inspector Lawrence ... aka Devta (India: Hindi title: alternative transliteration)
125. Naya Daur (1978) ... aka The New Age
126. Aashiq Hoon Baharon Ka (1977) .... Vikram (Jamunadas' son)
127. Abhi To Jee Lein (1977) .... Danny ... aka Abhi To (India: Hindi title: alternative title)
128. Chandi Sona (1977)
129. Khel Khiladi Ka (1977)
130. Mit Jayenge Mitane Wale (1977)
131. Paapi (1977) (as Danny Danzongappa) .... Abdul
132. Fakira (1976) .... Munna/Ajay/Toofan
133. Kalicharan (1976)
134. Laila Majnu (1976) .... Prince Bahksh
135. Sangram (1976) .... Salim/Altaf
136. Dharmatma (1975) (as Danny) ... aka The Holy Soul (International: English title)
137. Aakhri Dao (1975) .... Robert
138. Apne Rang Hazaar (1975)
139. Kala Sona (1975)
140. Ponga Pandit (1975) .... Rocky
141. Raftaar (1975)
142. Rani Aur Lalpari (1975)
143. Zorro (1975/II)
144. Chor Machaye Shor (1974)
145. 36 Ghante (1974) .... Dilawar Khan
146. Khotte Sikkay (1974) .... Danny ... aka False Coins
147. Dhund (1973) .... Thakur Ranjit Singh (crippled husband) ... aka Fog ... aka Trance
148. Milap (1972)
149. Rakhi Aur Hathkadi (1972) .... Raja
150. Yeh Gulistan Hamara (1972) ... aka This Garden Is Ours
151. Mere Apne (1971) .... Sanju
152. Zaroorat (1971)

External links

• Danny Denzongpa at the Internet Movie Database