Danny Denzongpa

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. 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. Life and education Born as Tshering Phintso Denzongpa to a Nepali speaking Bhutia family in Yuksom, Sikkim, 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 (FTII), 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 made his acting debut in the action film Squad.