Danny Denzongpa
Danny Denzongpa is an Indian film actor, singer and film director. He has mainly worked in Bollywood films, though he has also appeared in several Nepali, Tamil, Bengali and Telugu films. He has acted in about 190 Hindi films since 1971. In 2003, Denzongpa was awarded the Padma Shree, India's fourth-highest civilian honour. His film career spans more than 4 decades.
He has also starred in some international films, the most famous being Seven Years in Tibet where he appeared alongside Brad Pitt. His best known villainous roles are in Dhund, 36 Ghante, Bandish, Jeeo Aur Jeene Do, Dharm Aur Qanoon and Agneepath whereas his best known positive roles were in Fakira, Chor Machaye Shor, Devata, Kalicharan, Bulundi and Adhikar. His directorial venture Phir Wahi Raat was considered among the top five best horror suspense films of Hindi Cinema.
Life and education
Denzongpa was born to a Buddhist family in Yuksam,West Sikkim and is of Bhutia and Nepalese descent. He did his schooling in Birla Vidya Mandir, Nainital and thereafter completed college coursework at St Joseph's College, Darjeeling, in 1964. 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 had 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 the Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, but withdrew admission to join the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune. He decided to change his name to a simpler sounding "Danny", on recommendation from his then-classmate Jaya Bhaduri, as his original name of Tshering Phintso Denzongpa was considered difficult for some to pronounce. His son Rinzing Denzongpa is set to make his acting debut in the action film Squad.
Acting career
He started out with B.R. Ishara's Zaroorat in 1971, which was his debut film. He got his major break in Gulzar's Mere Apne , where he had a positive role. He had his first played an antagonist in B.R.Chopra's Dhundh, where he played the role of a crippled and frustrated husband.He played the second lead hero and had more positive roles in commercially successful critically acclaimed films in the seventies, such as Chor Machaye Shor, 36 Ghante, Fakira, Sangram, Kalicharan, Kaala Sona and Devata. After his performance in the film Devata, he started getting more significant lengthy roles. He was simultaneously part of big budget films such as Aashiq Hoon Baharon Ka, Paapi, Bandish, The Burning Train and Chunoti in negative roles.
In the early 1980s period, he had thought of quitting films. He said in an interview, when asked why he decided to direct a film, "I remember in 80s 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." After the success of his directorial debut, he received offers to act as the hero again in the films such as Bulundi and Hum Se Badkar Kaun in 1981, which became successful. He played a double role in the film Bulundi. However, most subsequent films between 1981 and 1983 were not successful. He was disappointed with the failure of his recently released film Abhi Toh Jee Ley, which had popular songs such as "Tu Laali Hai Saveriwali". 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 and Mithun Chakraborty's father in Boxer.
He started getting more frequent offers to play the negative character in Hindi films, after the success of the films Phir Wahi Raat, Jeeo Aur Jeene Do and Dharm Aur Qanoon. He then went on to play the role of villain many times since 1984. From 1984 and through the 1990s, Danny mainly was featured as the lead negative character opposite all the leading actors of that time such as Rajesh Khanna, Dharmendra, Jeetendra, Mithun Chakraborty, Vinod Khanna, Anil Kapoor and Sunny Deol. He stated in an interview; "Had it not been that I had not done the four special negative roles – with Rajesh Khanna, in the lead – Phir Wohi Raat, Dharm Aur Qanoon, Bandish and Aashiq Hoon Baharon Ka, people would not have considered me for villainous roles. In Adhikar I had positive role. He holds special place in my heart as he recognized and stood by me in my tough times which was early eighties."
His most applauded negative characters are in Bandish as Kapil Kumar, Phir Wahi Raat as "Ashok", Dharm Aur Qanoon, as SP "Kader", Kanoon Kya Karega, as "Raghuvir Singh", Andar Baahar, as "Shera", Oonche Log, as "Thakur Maan Singh", Aandhi Toofan, as "Balbir" Bhagwaan Dada, as "Gangwaa", Agneepath, as "Kancha Cheena", Hum, as "Bakhtawar", , as "Kaatya", Krantiveer, as "Chatur Singh", Pukar, as "Abhrush" and Indian, as "Shankar Singhania". He was pitted against Pran in the film Sanam Bewafa, Paap Ki Duniya, Gurudev and. His command over the Urdu language came in handy in films such as Sawan Kumar's Sanam Bewafa and Mukul Anand's Khuda Gawah.
At one time, when he was increasingly doing negative lead roles, Rajkumar Santoshi cast him as the positive role in China Gate. In the early 2000s, Denzongpa appeared in films such as Asoka and 16 December. Some of the antihero roles he played included an unscrupulous politician, corrupt policeman, traitor, and stingy landlord. He has also starred in some international films, the most famous being Seven Years in Tibet, where he appeared. He did positive roles in Lahu Ke Do Rang, Bulundi, Boxer, Humse Badkar Kaun, Khudah Gawah, 16 December and China Gate.
In early 2003 Denzongpa 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 and 2009.
He then made a strong comeback as the villain with his role in Enthiran. He made his debut in 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", into an evil robot. He then started playing villains in big budget movies such as Jai Ho, co-starring Salman Khan and Bang Bang, co-starring Hrithik Roshan.
He has recently played the role of a coordinator, "Feroz Khan" in the 2015 hit Baby co-starring Akshay Kumar. He reprised his role of "Feroz Khan" in the film's spin-off prequel Naam Shabana
Singing and business career
He is an accomplished singer, having sung with Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammed Rafi, Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhosle, the stalwarts of Indian music. He was first given a chance to sing by S.D. Burman in the film Yeh Gulistan Hamara in 1972. Denzongpa sang a duet with Lata Mangeshkar.Danny Denzongpa has quoted on S.D. Burman, "My dream to be a playback singer in films came with the number, 'Mera Naam Aao' in 'Yeh Gulistan Hamara'. The maestro that he was, S.D. Burman recognised my singing abilities and conducted the daring experiment of making me sing my first duet with Lata Mangeshkar. He advised me to produce a comic effect yet maintain melody whilst singing. The song was a raging hit." This was told to Ranjan Das Gupta in 'The Hindu' on 8 January 2012.
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" and "Manko kura lai bandhi narakha....
He sang the duet "Suno Suno Kasam Se" in Kaala Sona with Asha Bhosle and sang "Mujhe Doston Tum Gale Lagaa Lo" with Mohammed Rafi, Asha Bhosle and the duet song "Botal Khaali Hone To Do" with Kishore Kumar in the 1978 film Naya Daur – all of which were composed by R.D. Burman.
"Hiun vanda chiso, Aago vanda taato...", "Naachana hoi maichyan hau nachana",, "Jhimkai deu pareli manma bajchha mitho murali...",, "Raatko rani phulay jhain sanjhama", "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 Nepal and parts of India like Darjeeling, Sikkim and Assam.
He has sung a Nepali duet with Asha Bhosle, "Aage aage topai ko gola pachhi pachhi machinegun barara" in 1976. This song was shown by Danny to Rajesh Khanna who liked the song tremendously. Then Rajesh Khanna requested R.D. Burman to compose the song – "Sang Mere Nikle The Sajan" from the 1981 film Phir Wohi Raat, which was directed by Danny himself – after getting inspired by the melody of the Nepali folk song sung by Danny – "Aage Aage Topaiko Gola". R. D. Burman changed the interludes and tunes of stanzas but retained the tune at the beginning.
Danny wrote and acted in the Nepali film Saino. 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.
Honours
Awards
As director
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1971 | Mere Apne | Sanju | |
| 1972 | Zaroorat | Mohinder | |
| 1972 | Milap | Raju | |
| 1972 | Rakhi Aur Hathkadi | Raja | |
| 1972 | Yeh Gulistan Hamara | ||
| 1973 | Nai Duniya Naye Log | ||
| 1973 | Dhund | Thakur Ranjit Singh | |
| 1973 | Naya Nasha | Narrator | Uncredited |
| 1973 | Khoon Khoon | Raghav | remake of Dirty Harry |
| 1973 | Chalaak | Manoj | |
| 1974 | Ghatna | ||
| 1974 | Khote Sikkay | Danny | |
| 1974 | Chor Machaye Shor | Raju Ustad | |
| 1974 | Ek Ladki Badnaam Si | ||
| 1974 | Vada Tera Vada | Danny | |
| 1974 | 36 Ghante | Dilawar Khan | |
| 1975 | Apne Rang Hazaar | ||
| 1975 | Zorro | Sher 'Sheroo' Singh | |
| 1975 | Dharmatma | Jangoora | |
| 1975 | Kala Sona | Shera | |
| 1975 | Raftaar | Pramod Kumar | |
| 1975 | Ponga Pandit | Rocky | |
| 1975 | Mounto | ||
| 1975 | Aakhri Dao | Robert | |
| 1975 | Rani Aur Lalpari | Himself | |
| 1976 | Kalicharan | Shaaka | |
| 1976 | Fakira | Munna / Ajay / Toofan | |
| 1976 | Laila Majnu | Prince Bahksh | |
| 1976 | Sangram | Salim / Altaf | |
| 1976 | Gumrah | Ramesh | |
| 1977 | Abhi To Jee Lein | Danny | |
| 1977 | Aashiq Hoon Baharon Ka | Vikram | |
| 1977 | Paapi | Abdul | |
| 1977 | Chandi Sona | Bikram | |
| 1977 | Khel Khilari Ka | ||
| 1977 | Mit Jayenge Mitane Wale | ||
| 1978 | Naya Daur | Mark | |
| 1978 | Devata | Inspector Lawrence | |
| 1978 | Lal Kuthi | Bengali film | |
| 1979 | Pehredaar | ||
| 1979 | Griha Pravesh | Danny | |
| 1979 | Lahu Ke Do Rang | Suraj | |
| 1979 | Heera-Moti | Ajay / Moti | |
| 1979 | Aaj Ki Dhara | Danny | |
| 1980 | Kali Ghata | Kishore | |
| 1980 | Chunaoti | Thakur Ajay Singh | |
| 1980 | The Burning Train | Randhir | |
| 1980 | Choron Ki Baraat | Heera | |
| 1980 | Phir Wahi Raat | Ashok | |
| 1980 | Abdullah | Khaleel | |
| 1980 | Bandish | Kapil Kumar | |
| 1981 | Bulundi | Lobo | |
| 1981 | Love Story | Ram Dogra | |
| 1981 | Hum Se Badkar Kaun | Raju / Johny | |
| 1982 | Prahari | Bengali film | |
| 1982 | Kachche Heere | Arjun | |
| 1982 | Dial 100 | Sangeet Samrat Shambhu Sen | |
| 1982 | Lakshmi | Jagdishchandra Mathur | |
| 1982 | Raj Mahal | ||
| 1982 | Jeeo Aur Jeene Do | ||
| 1982 | Do Ustad | Daku Badal Singh | |
| 1983 | Siskiyan | ||
| 1983 | Kanku Ni Kimat | ||
| 1983 | Ganga Meri Maa | Malan | |
| 1983 | Andha Kanoon | Akhbar Ali | |
| 1983 | Lovers | David | |
| 1983 | Mujhe Insaaf Chahiye | Dayashankar Ray | |
| 1983 | Mujhe Vachan Do | Jabbar Khan | |
| 1983 | Hum Se Hai Zamana | Karan Kalicharan | |
| 1983 | Naukar Biwi Ka | Himself | |
| 1984 | Boxer | Dharma | |
| 1984 | Farishta | Ustad | |
| 1984 | Dharm Aur Qanoon | Superintendent of Police Kader | |
| 1984 | Andar Baahar | Shera | |
| 1984 | Jagir | Danny | |
| 1984 | Manzil Manzil | Gautam | |
| 1984 | Karishmaa | Raja Saab | |
| 1984 | Meraa Dost Meraa Dushman | Shaitan Singh | |
| 1984 | Kanoon Kya Karega | Raghuvir Singh | |
| 1984 | Dilawar | ||
| 1984 | Farishta | ||
| 1985 | Paththar | Major Balwant Rai | |
| 1985 | Pyar Jhukta Nahin | Bhanu Pratap | |
| 1985 | Aitbaar | Inspector Barua | |
| 1985 | Aandhi Toofan | Balbir | |
| 1985 | Jawaab | Seth. Jagmohan | |
| 1985 | Yudh | Gama Maating / Mr. Chinoy | |
| 1985 | Bayen Hath Ka Khel | ||
| 1985 | Maha Shaktiman | Maharudra | aka Maharudra |
| 1985 | Oonche Log | Thakur Maan Singh | |
| 1985 | Zulm Ka Badla | Shambhu / Bunty | |
| 1985 | Patthar Dil | Jung Bahadur | |
| 1985 | Ram Tere Kitne Nam | Himself | , Uncredited |
| 1986 | Bhagwaan Dada | Shambu Dada | |
| 1986 | Chambal Ka Badshah | Sultan | |
| 1986 | Adhikar | Vishal's lawyer | |
| 1986 | Allah Rakha | ||
| 1987 | Saino | Nepali Film | |
| 1987 | Itihaas | Alexander | |
| 1987 | Aag Hi Aag | Daulat Singh / Choudhury | |
| 1987 | Mit Jayenge Mitane Wale | ||
| 1987 | Diljalaa | Ratanmuni Gupta | |
| 1987 | Kaun Kitney Pani Mein | ||
| 1987 | Faqir Badshah | Vijay and Raja | |
| 1987 | Deewana Tere Naam Ka | Shambhu | |
| 1988 | Anjaam khuda jaane | ||
| 1988 | Mardon Wali Baat | Raja Sunder Singh | |
| 1988 | Paap Ki Duniya | Pasha | |
| 1988 | Ek Hi Maqsad | Inspector. Deepak | |
| 1988 | Shoorveer | Shankar | |
| 1988 | Commando | Ninja | |
| 1988 | Soorma Bhopali | ||
| 1988 | Janam Janam | Mukhiya | |
| 1988 | Yateem | Girivar Prasad Mathur | |
| 1988 | Zalzala | Sona Singh | |
| 1988 | Mera Shikar | Changez | |
| 1988 | Jeete Hain Shaan Se | J.P. | |
| 1988 | Gunahon Ka Faisla | Dacoit | |
| 1988 | Saino | Nepali film | |
| 1989 | Ustad | ShamSher Singh / DK | |
| 1989 | Sau Saal Baad | ||
| 1989 | Saaya | Rakesh | |
| 1989 | Kasam Suhaag Ki | Lohari - Sultan's goon | |
| 1989 | Do Yaar | ||
| 1989 | Jung Baaz | Mahakal | |
| 1989 | Khoj | Father Anthony | |
| 1989 | Shehzaade | Thakur Roshan Singh | Uncredited |
| 1989 | Paanch Papi | ||
| 1989 | Galiyon Ka Badshah | Inspector Vijay | |
| 1990 | Pyar Ke Naam Qurbaan | Prince Yeshwant Singh | |
| 1990 | Agneepath | Kancha Cheena | |
| 1990 | Shandaar | Dhaga | |
| 1990 | Gunahon Ka Devta | Raghuvir | |
| 1990 | Sheshnaag | ||
| 1990 | Jagira | ||
| 1990 | Chingariyan | ||
| 1990 | Shesh Naag | ||
| 1991 | Woh Subah Kabhie To Aayegi | ||
| 1991 | Sanam Bewafa | Sher Khan | |
| 1991 | Hum | Bakhtawar | |
| 1991 | Vishnu-Devaa | Thakur Shamsher Singh / Samppat | |
| 1991 | Yodha | Daaga / Justice Dharmesh Agnihotri | |
| 1991 | Lakshmanrekha | Birju | |
| 1991 | First Love Letter | Thakur Ajit Singh | |
| 1991 | Bahadur | Bahadur | Bengali film |
| 1992 | Khule-Aam | Insp. Uday Singh / Insp. Ranvir Singh Rathod | |
| 1992 | Khuda Gawah | Khuda Baksh | |
| 1992 | Bandhu | Bandhu | |
| 1992 | Balwaan | Bhaiji | |
| 1992 | Antham | J.P.Sethi | |
| 1992 | Drohi Antham | J.P. Sethi | |
| 1992 | Kisme Kitna Hai Dum | ||
| 1993 | Sangram | Madhu's father | |
| 1993 | Dhartiputra | Kripal Singh | |
| 1993 | Gurudev | Khakan | |
| 1993 | Tahqiqaat | Bhanu Pratap | |
| 1993 | Prateeksha | Dinesh Khanna | |
| 1993 | Jai Devaa | ||
| 1993 | Bulund | ||
| 1994 | Ajnabi | Captain | Episode: "Introductory" |
| 1994 | Chauraha | Baba Bhatti | |
| 1994 | Mohabbat Ki Arzoo | Jagpal Singh alias Jaggu dada | |
| 1994 | ' | Major Bisht | |
| 1994 | Krantiveer | Chatursingh | |
| 1994 | Vijaypath | Dilawar Singh | |
| 1995 | Faisla Main Karungi | Inspector Nadeem | |
| 1995 | ' | Kundecha | |
| 1995 | Barsaat | ACP Neghi | |
| 1996 | Muthi Bhar Zameen | Thakur Raghuvir Singh | |
| 1996 | Rajkumar | Ali | |
| 1996 | Army | Naagraj | |
| 1996 | Shastra | Babu | |
| 1996 | ' | Katya | |
| 1996 | Ram Aur Shyam | Tatar | |
| 1997 | Seven Years in Tibet | Regent | |
| 1997 | Udaan | Mr. Rana | |
| 1997 | Himalay Putra | Narsingh Rana | |
| 1997 | Dhaal: The Battle of Law Against Law | Advocate Diwan | |
| 1998 | Vinashak – Destroyer | Jailer Lankeshwar | |
| 1998 | Zulm O Situm | Sikander | |
| 1998 | China Gate | Maj. Ranjir Singh Gurung | |
| 1999 | Silsila Hai Pyar Ka | Jabbar Khargoshi | |
| 1999 | Kohram | Minister Virbhadra Singh | |
| 1999 | Dahek: A Burning Passion | Jabbar Bahkshi | |
| 2000 | Pukar | Abhrush | |
| 2000 | Tune Mera Dil Le Liya | Raja Sahab | |
| 2001 | Jagira | ||
| 2001 | Officer | Pratap Rai/Dushyant Singh | - |
| 2001 | Lajja | Gajendra | |
| 2001 | Aśoka | Virat | |
| 2001 | Indian | Shankar Singhania | |
| 2001 | Moksha | Bachelor Simon | |
| 2002 | Yeh Mohabbat Hai | Aman Khan | |
| 2002 | 16 December | Major General Vir Vijay Singh | |
| 2002 | Ab Ke Baras | CBI Officer Sikander Baksh | |
| 2002 | Soch | Nautiyal | |
| 2003 | Sandhya | ||
| 2003 | Ek Hindustani | Special Appearance | |
| 2004 | Shikaar | Darshan Damania | |
| 2004 | Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyo | Colonel Ashfaque Khan | |
| 2005 | Dil Jo Bhi Kahey... | Narrator | |
| 2007 | Hattrick | David Anna | |
| 2007 | Big Brother | Police Commissioner Kulkarni | - |
| 2007 | Frozen | Karma | |
| 2008 | Chamku | Baba | |
| 2008 | Karzzzz | Kabira | |
| 2009 | Luck | Lakhan Tamang | |
| 2009 | Acid Factory | J.D. / Om / Sultan / Sarthak Sanghv / Inspector Balwant | |
| 2010 | Enthiran | Professor Bohra | |
| 2013 | Boss | Big Boss | |
| 2014 | Jai Ho | Home Minister Dashrath Singh | |
| 2014 | Bang Bang! | Omar Zafar | |
| 2015 | Baby | Feroz Ali Khan | |
| 2017 | Naam Shabana | Feroz Ali Khan | |
| 2018 | Bioscopewala | Rehmat Khan | |
| 2019 | ' | Ghulam Ghaus Khan |