Danny Denzongpa : A Pride of Sikkim

• Born : February 25, 1948, Yuksom
• Real Name: Tshering Phinsto Bhutia
• Danny Denzongpa was named by Jaya Bhaduri
• Wife: Gawa
• Son: Rinzing
• Daughter: Pema
• Primary education: Geysing
• Learnt Hindi in : Birla School, Nainital (1964)
• Graduation: St. Joshepp’s College, Darjeeling (B.Sc (Bio­Science)
• Danny Denzongpa participated in republic parade at Delhi in his college days.
• Won Governor’s Silver Medal as best NCC cadet.
• Acting course: Film and Television Institute of India in Pune
• Graduated with a Master of Arts (1st Class) in Dramatics
• First Film (Hindi): Mere Apne (1971)
• First song (Hindi): Sunno Sunno kasam se (with Asha Bhonsle in Kala Sona)
• First Nepali film in Sikkim: Mashaal
• Popular Nepali Songs: chiso chiso hawa mah, Kanchi lai ghumauney Kathmandu sahahrah, Rato Rani Phule, hui bhanda chiso and Mann koh kura lai badhi narakha, Sunah katha euta geet, Aamai ley bhanthey, samai panchi ho.
• First Hindi Serial: Ajnabi followed by Ushool
• Role of Gabbar Singh in Sholay was first offered to Danny Denzongpa.
• Won two Filmfare awards for best supporting actor: Bewafa Sanam and Khuda Gawah.
• West Bengal Critic Award for Best Actor: Bengali film 'Lal Kuthi'
• He wrote the story of Saino, nepali film shot entirely in Sikkim.
• Denzongpa's love of horses and horse riding began at an early age, as his family was into horse breeding.
• First English film: Seven years in Tibet with Brad Pit
• First hindi film directed : Phir wohi raat
• Awarded Padma Shri: 2003
• Sikkim State Award on August 15, 1999
• He has made a major contribution to the industrial growth of the State by establishing a beer manufacturing company, Yuksom Breweries at Melli in South Sikkim. He has also established a fully air-conditioned film and vision studio at Noida in Uttar Pradesh.
• POSTAL ADDRESS

Dzongrilla, 11^th Road JVPD Scheme, Juhu Mumbai 400 049

compiled by Shital Pradhan