Danny Denzongpa The Style Paragon Of Bollywood

Danny Denzongpa The Style Paragon Of Bollywood, a photo by firoze shakir photographerno1 on Flickr.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tshering Phintso "Danny" Denzongpa [1] (born 25 March 1948) is an Indian actor of Sikkimese-Bhutia descent working in Bollywood films. He has acted in numerous Hindi films such as Asoka 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 villainous and character roles.

Danny was born to a Buddhist family in the Kingdom of Sikkim (the 22nd state of India since 1975) where he had his early schooling in the erstwhile, thereafter completed his schooling from Birla Vidya Mandir, Nainital, Uttarakhand in 1964. 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 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. Actress Jaya Bhaduri, his classmate at FTII, Pune 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.[2]
Film and singing career[edit]

During his early film career, Danny used to practice learning Hindi 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.
Danny's film career spans more than 4 decades. In the 1970s, he played relatively smaller roles which got him noticed. After his performance in the film Lahoo Ke Do Rang, he started getting more significant lengthy roles. Through the 1980s and 1990s, Danny mainly featured as the lead negative character opposite all the leading actors of those times such as Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Jeetendra, Mithun Chakraborthy, Vinod Khanna, Anil Kapoor and Sunny Deol.
He had his first major role which he played in B.R.Chopra's 'Dhundh'(1973). This role shows his power, followed by 'Kanoon Kya Karega'. His other most applauded negative characters are in Andar Baahar (1984) as Shera, Aandhi Toofan (1986), Bhagwan Dada (1986) as Gangwaa, Agneepath (1990) as Kancha Cheena, Hum (1991) as Bakhtawar, Ghatak: Lethal as Kaatya, Krantiveer (1994) as Chatur Singh and Pukar (2000) as Abhrush
He started out with B-grade movies such as B.R. Ishara's Zaroorat in 1971,[3] 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 numerous times. 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. 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. One of his critically acclaimed roles as a villain came when he played the role of Bakhtawar, a don bent on revenge in Mukul Anand's Hum. He was nominated for the Filmfare Award for Best Villain.
He is 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 recorded in 1970s but still hit are "Chiso Chiso Hawama" ("In the cool air") and "Manko kura lai bandhi narakha..."("Do not keep the words of the heart tied").
He wrote and acted in the Nepali film Saino which was 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. He has sung a Nepali duet with Asha Bhosle, "Aage aage topai ko gola pachhi pachhi machinegun barara". His all-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 pulhya etc. are his few hit numbers.
He is also a painter, a writer and a sculptor.
In the past decade, Danny gave stellar performances in movies such as Asoka and 16 December (2002).[citation needed] He then went on to appear in the successful Tamil film, 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. Upon release, the film won critical and commercial acclaim.[citation needed]
Personal life[edit]

Danny, who married Gawa Denzongpa, a Sikkimese princess and niece of the last chogyal from her hometown of Gangtok, currently resides in Juhu in Mumbai. Since the 2000s (decade), he has become more selective of the roles he plays.In the movies he chooses, he works on his own terms. He has a son named Rinzing and a daughter named Pema. His brother owns a bouj and beer factory in Melli, Sikkim.
Awards and honours[edit]

2003: Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian honour.
Filmfare Awards
Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award
1992 Sanam Bewafa
1993 Khuda Gawah – Khuda Baksh
Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award – Nominated
1979 Devtaa – Inspector Lawrence
1985 Kanoon Kya Karega – Raghuvir Singh
1990 'Agneepath' – Kancha Chinna
Filmfare Best Villain Award – Nominated
1992 Hum – Bakhtawar
1995 Krantiveer – Chatur Singh Chitah
1995 Vijaypath – Dilawar Ujagar Singh
1996 Barsaat – ACP Negi
1997 Ghatak – Katya
Filmography[edit]

* Bang Bang (Releasing in 2014)
Mental (Releasing on 24th January 2014)
Boss (2013) .... Mentor of Boss Filming (Expected to release on 18th October 2013)
Enthiran (2010) ... Professor Bohra (Tamil)
Acid Factory (2009)
Luck (2009) ... Tamang
Karzzzz (2008)
Chamku (2008)
Big Brother (2007)
Hattrick (2007)
Frozen (2007)
Jaan Ki Baazi (2006) (post-production)
Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyo (2004) ... Colonel Ashfaque Khan
Shikaar (2004)
Sandhya (2003)
Parwana (2003)
Ek Hindustani (2003) ... Special Appearance
Soch (2002) .... Nautiyal
Ab Ke Baras (2002) ... CBI Officer Sikander Baksh
16 December (2002) ... Vir Vijay Singh
Yeh Mohabbat Hai (2002) ... Aman Khan
Moksha (2001) ... Bachelor Simon
Indian (2001) ... Shankar Singhania
Lajja (2001) ... Gajendra
Asoka (2001) ... Virat
Pukar (2000) ... Abhrush
Officer (2001) ... Pratap Rai/Dushyant Singh
Tune Mera Dil Le Liya (2000)
Silsila Hai Pyar Ka (1999) ... Jabhal Khargoshi
Dahek: A Burning Passion (1999) ... Jabbar Bahkshi
Kohram (1999) ... Minister Virbhadra Singh
Zulm O Situm (1998) ... Sikander
Vinashak - Destroyer (1998) ... Jailer Lankeshwar
China Gate (1998) ... Maj. Ranjir Singh Gurung
Udaan (1997 film) ... Mr. Rana
Seven Years in Tibet (1997) ... Regent
Dhaal: The Battle of Law Against Law (1997) ... Advocate Indrajit
Diwan[disambiguation needed] (1997)
Himalay Putra (1997) ... Rana
Ghatak: Lethal (1996) ... Katya
Rajkumar (1996)
Army (1996) ... Naagraj
Shastra (1996) ... Babu
Barsaat (1995) ... ACP Neghi
Sarhad: The Border of Crime (1995)
Vijaypath (1994) ... Dilawar Singh
Chauraha (1994) ... Baba Bhatti
Krantiveer (1994) ... Chatursingh
Mohabbat Ki Arzoo (1994) ... Jagpal Singh alias Jaggu dada
1942: A Love Story (1993)
Dhartiputra (1993)... Major Hisht
Gurudev (1993) ... Khakan
Prateeksha (1993) ... Dinesh Khanna
Sangram (1993) ... Madhu's father
Tahqiqaat (1993) ... Bhanu Pratap
Drohi (1992) ... J.P. Sethi (Raghav's boss)
Balwaan (1992) ... Bhai
Khule-Aam (1992) ... Insp. Uday Singh/Insp. Ranvir Singh Rathod
Khuda Gawah (1992) ... Khuda Baksh ... aka God Is My Witness
Lakshmanrekha (1991) ... Birju
Vishnu-Devaa (1991) ... Thakur Shamsher Singh/Samppat
Hum (1991) ... Bakhtawar
Sanam Bewafa (1991) ... Sher Khan
Bahadur (1991) ... Bahadur (Bengali)
First Love Letter (1991) ... Thakur Ajit Singh
Yodha (1991) ... Daaga/Justice Dharmesh Agnihotri
Agneepath (1990) ... Kancha Cheena
Pyaar Ke Naam Qurban (1990) ... Prince Yeshwant Singh
Baaghi (1990)
Chingariyan (1990)
Jagira (1990)
Shandaar (1990) ... Dhaga
Shesh Naag (1990)
Shehzaade (1989) (uncredited) ... Thakur Roshan Singh
Jung Baaz (1989) ... Mahakal
Kasam Suhaag Ki (1989)
Galiyon Ka Badshah (1989) ... Inspector Vijay
Khoj (1989)
Saaya (1989)
Ustad (1989)
Commando (1988) ... Ninja
Shoorveer (1988) ... Shankar
Ek Hi Maqsad (1988) ... Inspector. Deepak
Mardon Wali Baat (1988) ... Raja Sunder Singh
Gunahon Ka Faisla (1988)
Janam Janam (1988)
Jeete Hain Shaan Se (1988) ... J.P.
Mera Shikar (1988)
Paap Ki Duniya (1988) ... Pasha
Yateem (1988) ... Girivar Prasad Mathur
Itihaas (1987)
Faqir Badshah (1987)
Aag Hi Aag (1987) ... Daulat Singh/Choudhury
Deewana Tere Naam Ka (1987) ... Shambhu
Chambal Ka Badshah (1986) ... Sultan
Bhagwan Dada (1986) .... Shambu Dada
Adhikar (1986) ... Vishal's lawyer (special appearance)
Allah Rakha (1986)
Maha Shaktiman (1985) ... aka Maharudra (India: Bengali title)
Yudh (1985) ... Gama Maating/Mr. Chinoy
Jawaab (1985) ... Seth. Jagmohan
Aandhi Toofan (1985)
Aitbaar (1985) ... Inspector Barua
Oonche Log (1985) ... Thakur Maan Singh
Patthar Dil (1985) ... Jung Bahadur
Andar Baahar (1984) ... Shera
Farishta (1984)
Boxer (1984) ... Dharma
Jagir (1984) ... Danny
Kanoon Kya Karega (1984)
Manzil Manzil (1984) ... Gautam (Pahadi Baba)
Mera Dost Mera Dushman (1984)
Pyaar Jhukta Nahin (1984)
Mujhe Insaaf Chahiye (1983)
Lovers[disambiguation needed] (1983)
Ganga Meri Maa (1983)
Andha Kanoon (1983) ... Akhbar Ali
Raj Mahal (1982)
Kachche Heere (1982) ... Arjun
Love Story (1981) ... Ram Dogra
Chunaoti (1980)
Kali Ghata (1980) ... Kishore
Abdullah (1980)
Bandish (1980) ... Kapil Kumar
Bulundi (1980)
The Burning Train (1980)
Choron Ki Baraat (1980)
Phir Wohi Raat (1980) .... Ashok
Griha Pravesh (1979) Danny
Aaj Ki Dhara (1979) Danny
Lahu Ke Do Rang (1979)
Lal Kuthi (1978) (Bengali)
Devta (1978) ... Inspector Lawrence
Naya Daur (1978)
Aashiq Hoon Baharon Ka (1977) ... Vikram (Jamunadas' son)
Abhi To Jee Lein (1977) ... Danny
Chandi Sona (1977)
Khel Khiladi Ka (1977)
Mit Jayenge Mitane Wale (1977)
Paapi (1977) ... Abdul
Fakira (1976) ... Munna/Ajay/Toofan
Kalicharan (1976)
Laila Majnu (1976) ... Prince Bahksh
Sangram (1976) ... Salim/Altaf
Dharmatma (1975) ... Danny
Aakhri Dao (1975) ... Robert
Apne Rang Hazaar (1975)
Kala Sona (1975)
Ponga Pandit (1975) ... Rocky
Raftaar (1975)
Rani Aur Lalpari (1975)
Zorro (1975)
Chor Machaye Shor (1974)
36 Ghante (1974) ... Dilawar Khan
Khotte Sikkay (1974) ... Danny
Dhund (1973) ... Thakur Ranjit Singh (crippled husband)
Khoon Khoon(1973) ... remake of Dirty Harry (English)
Milap (1972)
Rakhi Aur Hathkadi (1972) ... Raja
Yeh Gulistan Hamara (1972)
Mere Apne (1971) ... Sanju
Zaroorat (1971)
As director