Tshering Phintso "Danny" Denzongpa (born February 25, 1948) is an Indian actor working in Bollywood films. He is of Sikkimese ancestry. Denzongpa was born in the state of Sikkim
He started his career by singing Indian and Nepali songs and acting in Indian and Nepali movies. 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
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
Pem Deechen's(Danny's Brother's) hotel in West SikkimDuring 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 is currently acting in his first South Indian film, Endhiran, starring Rajinikanth.
Personal life
He currently resides in Juhu in Mumbai. In recent times he has become more selective as to the roles he plays.
Awards and Honours
2003: Padma Shri , India
Film-fare Awards
1993: Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award for Khuda Gawah(1992).
1992: Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award for Sanam Bewafa(1991).
Filmography
Endhiran (2010) (Filming)
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) (aka The Shame).... Gajendra
Asoka (2001) .... Virat ... aka Ashoka the Great (India: English title) (USA) ... aka Samrat Ashoka (India: Tamil title: dubbed version)
Pukar (2000) .... Abhrush
Officer (2000) .... 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: The Explosion (1999) .... Minister Virbhadra Singh
Zulm O Situm (1998) .... Sikander
Vinashak - Destroyer (1998) .... Jailer Lankeshwar
China Gate (1998) .... Maj. Ranjir Singh Gurung
Udaan (1997) .... Mr. Rana
Seven Years in Tibet (1997) .... Regent
Dhaal: The Battle of Law Against Law (1997) .... Advocate Indrajit
Diwan
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)
Chauraha (1994) .... Baba Bhatti
Krantiveer (1994) .... Chatursingh
Mohabbat Ki Arzoo (1994) .... Jagpal Singh alias Jaggu dada
1942: A Love Story (1993) (as Danny Dengzongpa) .... Major Hisht Dhartiputra (1993)
Gurudev (1993) (as Danny Denzongappa) .... Khakan
Prateeksha (1993) .... Dinesh Khanna ... aka Prateeksha (India: Hindi title: alternative transliteration)
Sangram (1993) .... Madhu's father
Tahqiqaat (1993) .... Bhanu Pratap
Drohi (1992) .... J.P. Sethi (Raghav's boss)
Antam (1992) .... J.P.Sethi ... aka Anth (India: Hindi title: dubbed version)
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 ... aka Lakhsman Rekha (India: Hindi title: alternative transliteration)
Vishnu-Devaa (1991) .... Thakur Shamsher Singh/Samppat
Hum (1991) .... Bakhtawar ... aka We
Sanam Bewafa (1991) .... Sher Khan
First Love Letter (1991) .... Thakur Ajit Singh
Yodha (1991) .... Daaga/Justice Dharmesh Agnihotri
Agneepath (1990) .... Kancha Cheena ... aka The Path of Fire
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) (as Danny) .... Mahakal
Kasam Suhaag Ki (1989)
Galiyon Ka Badshah (1989) .... Inspector Vijay
Khoj (1989)
Saaya (1989)
Ustad (1989) .. aka Conman (International: English title)
Commando (1988) .... Ninja
Shoorveer (1988) .... Shankar
Ek Hi Maqsad (1988) .... Inspector. Deepak
Mardon Wali Baat (1988) .... Raja Sunder Singh ... aka A Man's Job
Gunahon Ka Faisla (1988) .... Dacoit
Janam Janam (1988)
Jeete Hain Shaan Se (1988)
Mera Shikar (1988)
Paap Ki Duniya (1988) .... Pasha
Yateem (1988) .... Girivar Prasad Mathur
Itihaas (1987)
Aag Hi Aag (1987) .... Daulat Singh/Choudhury
Deewana Tere Naam Ka (1987) .... Shambhu
Chambal Ka Badshah (1986) .... Sultan
Bhagwan Dada (1986) (as Danny) .... 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 ... aka Trust
Oonche Log (1985) .... Thakur Maan Singh
... aka High Society
Patthar Dil (1985) .... Jung Bahadur
Andar Baahar (1984) .... Shera
Farishta (1984)
Boxer (1984/I) (as Danny) .... Dharma
Jagir (1984) .... Danny ... aka Teen Murti (India: Bengali title) ... aka The Estate ... aka The Three Idols
Kanoon Kya Karega (1984) ... aka What Can the Law Do?
Manzil Manzil (1984) .... Gautam (Pahadi Baba)
Mera Dost Mera Dushman (1984)
Pyaar Jhukta Nahin (1984)
Mujhe Insaaf Chahiye (1983)
Lovers (1983/I)
Ganga Meri Maa (1983)
Andha Kanoon (1983) .... Akhbar
Raj Mahal (1982)
Kachche Heere (1982) .... Arjun ... aka Rough Diamonds
Love Story (1981) .... Ram Dogra
Chunaoti (1980)
Kali Ghata (1980)
Abdullah (1980)
Bandish (1980/I) .... Kapilkumar ... aka Restriction
Bulundi (1980)
The Burning Train (1980)
Choron Ki Baraat (1980)
Phir Wohi Raat (1980) .... Ashok
Griha Pravesh (1979) (as Danny) ... aka The Housewarming
Aaj Ki Dhara (1979) (as Danny) ... aka Aaj Ki Radha
Lahu Ke Do Rang (1979) ... aka Two Shades of Blood
Devata (1978) .... Inspector Lawrence ... aka Devta (India: Hindi title: alternative transliteration)
Naya Daur (1978) ... aka The New Age
Aashiq Hoon Baharon Ka (1977) .... Vikram (Jamunadas' son)
Abhi To Jee Lein (1977) .... Danny ... aka Abhi To (India: Hindi title: alternative title)
Chandi Sona (1977)
Khel Khiladi Ka (1977)
Mit Jayenge Mitane Wale (1977)
Paapi (1977) (as Danny Danzongappa) .... Abdul
Fakira (1976) .... Munna/Ajay/Toofan
Kalicharan (1976)
Laila Majnu (1976) .... Prince Bahksh
Sangram (1976) .... Salim/Altaf
Dharmatma (1975) (as Danny) ... aka The Holy Soul (International: English title)
Aakhri Dao (1975) .... Robert
Apne Rang Hazaar (1975)
Kala Sona (1975)
Ponga Pandit (1975) .... Rocky
Raftaar (1975)
Rani Aur Lalpari (1975)
Zorro (1975/II)
Chor Machaye Shor (1974)
36 Ghante (1974) .... Dilawar Khan
Khotte Sikkay (1974) .... Danny ... aka False Coins
Dhund (1973) .... Thakur Ranjit Singh (crippled husband) ... aka Fog ... aka Trance
Milap (1972)
Rakhi Aur Hathkadi (1972) .... Raja
Yeh Gulistan Hamara (1972) ... aka This Garden Is Ours
Mere Apne (1971) .... Sanju
Zaroorat (1971)