By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
On His Birth Anniversary
There is no denying the fact that Danny Denzongpa made his presence felt in his maiden film “Mere Apne” (1971) also starring Vinod Khanna, Shatrughan Sinha, Meena Kumari with Paintal, AK Hangal, Dinesh Thakur & Mehmood appearing in supporting roles. The film helped them fashion their success and acceptance in the years that followed. The film centers around Anandi Devi (Meena Kumari) & two rival groups lead by Shatrughan Sinha & Vinod Khanna. It was a debut film of both Khanna & Danny who later rose to starry heights. The film was written & directed by Gulzar.
After the success and critical acclaim of “Mere Apne” the actor was flooded with fresh offers. .Some of his earlier films included the likes of ” ” Khote Sikkay”, Bulandi”, “Paapi”,”Chor Machaye Shor”, & “Kali Charan” also featuring Shatrughan Sinha in the lead. His acting prowess was best seen in “Dhund”,”Khotay Sikkay”, “36 Ghante”,”Dharmatama”, “Agneepath” & “Krantiveer”. He was simply superb in “Darmatama”. In B. R. Chopra’s suspense drama “Dhund” he played without his feet,an impressive performance. The film featured Navin Nischol & Zeenat Aman in lead roles. In “Love Story” he plays Vijeta Pandit’s father. Danny had a pivotal role in “Manzil Manzil” co-starring Dimple & Sunny Deol.
Danny Denzongpa enjoyed the image of a ‘macho man’- a ‘he’ man like say, Dharmendra, Vinod Khanna and Shatrughan Sinha after he shot into fame. Although the range & variety of roles he has gone through is wide and diverse, he has been typecast, more or less, in certain special characters. Much too often he played an injured, deprived, cheated, or desperate person in movies. He did act with conviction but with no regard to convention. One of the ten brothers and sisters, Danny is what they call “a cat among the pigeons” in the family. The Dannies bread wild horses on big farm in Sikkim. Horse-riding is, therefore, is in his blood. He was seen in nine of his ten earlier films with a horse. Horses seem to form part of Danny’s personal & professional life.
The talented actor from Sikkim, however, proved his mettle as ‘good’ and ‘bad man’ in Hindi films. The actor, it would be conceded, continued to feel his beans as was evident from his role as Ghulam Ghaus Khan in “Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi”(2019). He has also starred in some international films, the most famous being “Seven Years in Tibet” (1997) where he appeared alongside Brad Pitt. Born Tshering Phintso Denzongpa, the actor was bestowed Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor in “Sanam Bewafa” & ” Khuda Gawah”.
