Danny Denzongpa
Danny Denzongpa in 2015
Born
Tshering Phintso Denzongpa

(1948-02-25) 25 February 1948[1]
NationalityIndian
Alma materSt Joseph's College, Darjeeling
Film and Television Institute of India
Occupations
  • Actor
  • singer
  • film director
Years active1971–present
AwardsPadma Shri (2003)

Danny Denzongpa (born Tshering Phintso Denzongpa; 25 February 1948) is an Indian actor, singer, and film director who primarily works in Hindi and occasionally in Bengali, Nepali, and Tamil films. In a career spanning five decades, has acted in over 190 films since 1971. In 2003, Denzongpa was awarded the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian honour.[3]

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, Pyar Jhukta Nahin, Aandhi-Toofan, Agneepath, Hum, Krantiveer, Indian and Enthiran whereas his best known positive roles were in Chor Machaye Shor, Fakira, Kalicharan, Devata, Bulundi, Adhikar, Aag Hi Aag and China Gate. His directorial venture Phir Wahi Raat was considered among the top five best horror suspense films of Hindi Cinema.[4]

Life and education

Born as Tshering Phintso Denzongpa to a Nepali speaking Bhutia family in Yuksom, Sikkim,[5][2] he did his schooling in Birla Vidya Mandir, Nainital and thereafter completed college coursework at St Joseph's College, Darjeeling, in 1964.[6] 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 (FTII), Pune.[5] 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.[7][8] His son Rinzing Denzongpa made his acting debut in the action film Squad.[9]

Career

Acting

He started out with B.R. Ishara's Zaroorat in 1971 (released in 1972), which was his debut film. He got his major break in Gulzar's Mere Apne (1971), where he had a positive role. He first played an antagonist in B.R.Chopra's Dhundh (1973), where he played the role of a cripple 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, 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."[10] 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 (1981) and Mithun Chakraborty's father in Boxer (1984).

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 (1980) as Kapil Kumar, Phir Wahi Raat as "Ashok", Dharm Aur Qanoon (1984), as SP "Kader", Kanoon Kya Karega (1984), as "Raghuvir Singh", Andar Baahar (1984), as "Shera", Oonche Log (1985), as "Thakur Maan Singh", Aandhi Toofan (1986), as "Balbir" 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, Paap Ki Duniya, Gurudev and 1942: A Love Story. 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, Khuda 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", (played by Rajinikanth) into an evil robot. He then started playing villains in big budget movies such as Jai Ho (2014), co-starring Salman Khan and 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. He reprised his role of "Feroz Khan" in the film's spin-off prequel Naam Shabana

Singing

He is an accomplished singer, having sung with Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammed Rafi 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' (1972). 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" ("In the cool air") and "Manko kura lai bandhi narakha... ("Do not keep the words of the heart tied").

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..." ("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), "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.

Denzongpa 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 Bandhu (1992) by Chopel himself and loosely adapted as the Indian television series Ajnabi for Doordarshan by Denzongpa.

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
1971Mere ApneSanju
1972ZarooratDanny
MilapRaju
Rakhi Aur HathkadiRaja
Yeh Gulistan Hamara
1973Nai Duniya Naye Log
DhundThakur Ranjit Singh
Naya NashaNarratorUncredited
Khoon KhoonRaghavremake of Dirty Harry
ChalaakManoj
1974Ghatna
Khote SikkayDanny
Chor Machaye ShorRaju Ustad
Ek Ladki Badnaam Si
Vada Tera VadaDanny
36 GhanteDilawar Khan
1975Apne Rang Hazaar
ZorroSher 'Sheroo' Singh
DharmatmaJangoora
Kala SonaShera
RaftaarPramod Kumar
Ponga PanditRocky
Mounto
Aakhri DaoRobert
Rani Aur LalpariHimselfSpecial appearance
1976KalicharanShaaka
FakiraMunna / Ajay / Toofan
Laila MajnuPrince Bahksh
SangramSalim / Altaf
GumrahRamesh
1977Abhi To Jee LeinDanny
Aashiq Hoon Baharon KaVikram (Jamunadas' son)
PaapiAbdul
Chandi SonaBikram
Khel Khilari Ka
1978Naya DaurMark
DevataInspector Lawrence
Lal KuthiBengali film
1979Pehredaar
Griha PraveshDanny
Lahu Ke Do RangSuraj
Heera-MotiAjay / Moti
Aaj Ki DharaDanny
1980Kali GhataKishore
ChunaotiThakur Ajay Singh
The Burning TrainRandhir
Choron Ki BaraatHeera
Phir Wahi RaatAshokAlso director
AbdullahKhaleel
BandishKapil Kumar
1981BulundiLobo
Love StoryRam Dogra
Hum Se Badkar KaunRaju / Johny
1982PrahariBengali film
Kachche HeereArjun
Dial 100Sangeet Samrat Shambhu Sen
LakshmiJagdishchandra Mathur
Raj Mahal
Jeeo Aur Jeene Do
Do UstadDaku Badal Singh
1983Siskiyan
Kanku Ni Kimat
Ganga Meri MaaMalan
Andha KanoonAkhbar Ali
LoversDavid
Mujhe Insaaf ChahiyeDayashankar Ray
Mujhe Vachan DoJabbar Khan
Hum Se Hai ZamanaKaran Kalicharan
Naukar Biwi KaHimself
1984BoxerDharma
FarishtaUstad
Dharm Aur QanoonSuperintendent of Police Kader
Andar BaaharShera
JagirDanny
Manzil ManzilGautam (Pahadi Baba)
KarishmaaRaja Saab
Meraa Dost Meraa DushmanShaitan Singh
Kanoon Kya KaregaRaghuvir Singh
Dilawar
Farishta
1985PaththarMajor Balwant Rai
Pyar Jhukta NahinBhanu Pratap
AitbaarInspector Barua
Aandhi ToofanBalbir
JawaabSeth. Jagmohan
YudhGama Maating / Mr. Chinoy
Bayen Hath Ka Khel
Maha ShaktimanMaharudraaka Maharudra
Oonche LogThakur Maan Singh
Zulm Ka BadlaShambhu / Bunty
Patthar DilJung Bahadur
Ram Tere Kitne NamHimselfUncredited
1986Bhagwaan DadaShambu Dada
Chambal Ka BadshahSultan
AdhikarVishal's lawyerSpecial appearance
Allah Rakha
1987ItihaasAlexander
Aag Hi AagDaulat Singh / Choudhury
Mit Jayenge Mitane Wale
DiljalaaRatanmuni Gupta
Kaun Kitney Pani Mein
Faqir BadshahVijay and Raja
Deewana Tere Naam KaShambhu
1988Anjaam khuda jaane
Mardon Wali BaatRaja Sunder Singh
Paap Ki DuniyaPasha
Ek Hi MaqsadInspector. Deepak
ShoorveerShankar
CommandoNinja
Soorma Bhopali
Janam JanamMukhiya
YateemGirivar Prasad Mathur
ZalzalaSona Singh
Mera ShikarChangez
Jeete Hain Shaan SeJ.P.
Gunahon Ka FaislaDacoit
SainoNepali film
1989UstadShamSher Singh / DK
Sau Saal Baad
SaayaRakesh
Kasam Suhaag KiLohari - Sultan's goon
Do Yaar
Jung BaazMahakal
KhojFather Anthony
ShehzaadeThakur Roshan SinghUncredited
Paanch PaapiInder
Galiyon Ka BadshahInspector Vijay
1990Pyar Ke Naam QurbaanPrince Yeshwant Singh
AgneepathKancha Cheena
ShandaarDhaga
Gunahon Ka DevtaRaghuvir
Sheshnaag
Jagira
Chingariyan
Shesh Naag
1991Woh Subah Kabhie To Aayegi
Sanam BewafaSher Khan
HumBakhtawar
Vishnu-DevaaThakur Shamsher Singh / Samppat
YodhaDaaga / Justice Dharmesh Agnihotri
LakshmanrekhaBirju
First Love LetterThakur Ajit Singh
1992BahadurBahadurBengali film
Khule-AamInsp. Uday Singh / Insp. Ranvir Singh Rathod
Khuda GawahKhuda Baksh
BandhuBandhu
BalwaanBhaiji
AnthamJ.P.Sethi
Kisme Kitna Hai DumVijay Singh
1993SangramMadhu's father
DhartiputraKripal Singh
GurudevKhakan
TahqiqaatBhanu Pratap
PrateekshaDinesh Khanna
Jai Devaa
Bulund
1994AjnabiCaptainDoordarshan TV series;
Episode: "Introductory"
ChaurahaBaba Bhatti
Mohabbat Ki ArzooJagpal Singh alias Jaggu dada
1942: A Love StoryMajor Bisht
KrantiveerChatursingh
VijaypathDilawar Singh
1995Faisla Main KarungiInspector Nadeem
Sarhad: The Border of CrimeKundecha
BarsaatACP Neghi
1996Muthi Bhar ZameenThakur Raghuvir Singh
RajkumarAli
ArmyNaagraj
ShastraBabu
Ghatak: LethalKatya
Ram Aur ShyamTatar
1997Seven Years in TibetRegent
UdaanMr. Rana
Himalay PutraNarsingh Rana
DhaalAdvocate Diwan
1998Vinashak – DestroyerJailer Lankeshwar
Zulm O SitumSikander
China GateMaj. Ranjir Singh Gurung
1999Silsila Hai Pyar KaJabbar Khargoshi
KohramMinister Virbhadra Singh
Dahek: A Burning PassionJabbar Bahkshi
2000PukarAbhrush
Tune Mera Dil Le LiyaRaja Sahab
2001Jagira
OfficerPratap Rai/Dushyant Singh
LajjaGajendra
AśokaVirat
IndianShankar Singhania
MokshaBachelor Simon
2002Yeh Mohabbat HaiAman Khan
16 DecemberMajor General Vir Vijay Singh
Ab Ke BarasCBI Officer Sikander Baksh
SochNautiyal
2003Sandhya
Ek HindustaniSpecial Appearance
2004ShikaarDarshan Damania
Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan SaathiyoColonel Ashfaque Khan
2005Dil Jo Bhi Kahey...Narrator
2007HattrickDavid Anna
Big BrotherPolice Commissioner Kulkarni
FrozenKarma
2008ChamkuBaba
KarzzzzKabira
2009LuckLakhan Tamang
Acid FactoryJ.D. / Om / Sultan / Sarthak Sanghv / Inspector Balwant
2010EnthiranProfessor BohraTamil film
2013BossBig Boss
2014Jai HoHome Minister Dashrath Singh
Bang Bang!Omar Zafar
2015BabyFeroz Ali Khan
2017Naam ShabanaFeroz Ali Khan
2018BioscopewalaRehmat Khan
2019Manikarnika: The Queen of JhansiGhulam Ghaus Khan
2022 Uunchai Bhupen [11]

Awards and nominations

Civilian award
Film awards
Year Award Category Film Result
1979 Filmfare Awards Best Supporting Actor Devata Nominated
1985 Kanoon Kya Karega Nominated
1992 Sanam Bewafa Won
Best Performance in a Negative Role Hum Nominated
1993 Best Supporting Actor Khuda Gawah Won
1995 Best Performance in a Negative Role Krantiveer Nominated
Vijaypath Nominated
1996 Barsaat Nominated
1997 Ghatak: Lethal Nominated

References

  1. "Star birthdays in February". MSN. 31 January 2014. Archived from the original on 27 February 2014. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
  2. 1 2 Bedika (23 May 2018). "I'm like an alien in the film industry: Danny Denzongpa". Outlook India. Archived from the original on 11 October 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2020 via PTI.
  3. "Padma Awards" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 October 2015. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
  4. "15 Must Watch Bollywood Horror Films". DESIblitz. 1 November 2014. Archived from the original on 4 October 2018. Retrieved 6 December 2018.
  5. 1 2 Somaaya, Bhawana (26 September 2003). "1984 DANNY DENZONGPA". Screen magazine. Archived from the original on 21 February 2019. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
  6. Denzongpa, Danny. "(Talk about your background) Salman Khan is the Amitabh Bachchan of the 80s: Danny". Archived from the original on 27 June 2015. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
  7. "Danny Denzongpa to play negative role in Shuddhi". Hindustan Times. 21 May 2013. Archived from the original on 28 July 2017. Retrieved 19 September 2016.
  8. "When Danny Denzongpa sang ghazals". Scroll.in. 14 March 2016. Archived from the original on 19 September 2016. Retrieved 19 September 2016.
  9. "Epic battle for climax of Rinzing Denzongpa's film Squad". Mumbai Mirror. 26 October 2019. Archived from the original on 20 March 2020. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
  10. "Canindia News – Canada's favorite south asian newspaper!". Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
  11. "Parineeti Chopra plays the role of a tourist guide in Nepal in Sooraj Barjatya's Uunchai; film shot at world's most DANGEROUS airport". Bollywood Hungama. 9 October 2021. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
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