Danny Denzongpa

Danny Denzongpa (born February 25, 1948) is an Indian actor. Denzongpa was born in the state of Sikkim, at that time an independent monarchy. He has acted in numerous Hindi films such as Ashoka and 16 December. He has also starred in an international films, 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 roles as a villain. He is also the only actor to have come from Sikkim.

Early career

As a boy Denzongpa used to tend to horses in his village in Sikkim. 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. 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. However his distinct Mongoloid features confused the locals who associated him with the Chinese and was subject to harrasment by the locals.

Related Topics:
Indian Army - West Bengal - Republic Day - Sino-Indian War - 1962 - Film institute - Pune - Mongoloid - Chinese

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