Kalden "Kelly" Sonam Dorji (born 4 January 1971) is a Bhutanese actor, model, and artist who works primarily in Indian movies.
Kelly Dorji | |
|---|---|
| Born | Kalden Sonam Dorji 4 January 1971 |
| Nationality | Bhutanese |
| Citizenship | Indian (only working in India and temporary) |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, model, artist |
| Parents |
|
Early life
editDorji's father is Lynpo Paljor Dorji, widely known as Dasho Benji, the permanent advisor to Bhutan's National Environment Commission. His mother is Louise Dorji, an author of children's books and a founding member of Bhutan Broadcasting Service (BBS). Dorji attended St. Paul's School in Darjeeling and Sherubtse College in eastern Bhutan. He earned an honors degree in history at St. Xavier's College in Mumbai. Dorji's grandfather was Bhutanese Prime Minister Jigme Palden Dorji. Dorji is a member of the Dorji Family of Bhutan and descendant of the Sikkim Royal Family.[1][2]
Career
editModeling
editKelly Dorji rose to prominence as a fashion model in the late-1990s and early 2000s in India. He worked as a runway model in India for designers such as Shahab Durazi, JJ Valaya, Arun Khanna, Rohit Bal, and Tarun Tahiliani and as a print model in London for Models Out of Town. Dorji hosted English television show 'Star Biz' for Star TV with co-anchor Lisa Ray.[3][4][5]
Acting
editKelly Dorji has acted in almost 30 films over the course of his career. He made his acting debut in 2005 as the main antagonist opposite Ajay Devgan and Bobby Deol in Mani Shankar's Tango Charlie. In 2008, Dorji moved to the Telugu film industry where he gained recognition for films such as the 2007 action hit Don opposite Nagarjuna and Ek Ka Dum opposite Mahesh Babu. Dorji has also been influential in boosting the popularity of Bhutanese films in his own country with the release of his Dzongkha film Sem Gawai Tasha in 2011.[6]
Dorji is well known for his own film stunts, much of which were self-choreographed. He also designed sequences for pageants, and assisted choreographer Lubna Adam. After a near death accident in 2013, Dorji limits his stunt work in films but continues to act.[7][8][9]
Art
editKelly Dorji is a painter and photographer. He has studied painting with a number of artists including Elsie Evans, Sidharth, and Karma Wangdi. He studied photography with fashion photographer Chien-Wien Lee. Dorji exhibits his work at contemporary art gallery Gray Area in Thimphu, Bhutan.[10][11]
Personal life
editDorji dated Bollywood actress Lara Dutta for 9 years before their relationship came to an end in 2007[12]
He currently lives in Thimphu, Bhutan. He owns a luxury travel company, Terton Travel Bhutan.[13]
Service
editDorji supports the Bhutanese contemporary art sector more broadly as an advisor on the board of the Voluntary Artist's Studio of Thimphu (VAST). Dorji serves an executive board member for the Tarayana Foundation. An avid enduro motorcyclist, Dorji rides for charity with the Tarayana Dragons.[14]
Filmography
edit| Year | Film | Role | Language |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero | Hideki Tōjō | Hindi |
| 2005 | Tango Charlie | Bodo Militant Leader | Hindi |
| 2005 | Khamoshh... Khauff Ki Raat | Criminal | Hindi |
| 2005 | Chocolate | Roshan Abbas | Hindi |
| 2005 | Fareb | Inspector Kelly Dorji | Hindi |
| 2005 | Ek Ajnabee | Bangkok Police Officer Kelly | Hindi |
| 2007 | Don | Stephen/Feroz | Telugu |
| 2008 | Mukhbiir | Hindi | |
| 2008 | King | Singing Voice | Telugu |
| 2009 | Drona | Telugu | |
| 2009 | Billa | Rashid (Drug dealer) | Telugu |
| 2010 | Aasal | Brijesh Shetty | Tamil |
| 2010 | Kedi | Victor | Telugu |
| 2010 | Lahore | Gajanan | Hindi |
| 2010 | Golimaar | Khalid | Telugu |
| 2010 | Krantiveer – The Revolution | Hindi | |
| 2010 | Sem Gawai Tasha | Pilot | Dzongkha |
| 2011 | Badrinath | Sarkar | Telugu |
| 2011 | Dhada | Kelly | Telugu |
| 2011 | The Lost Gold of Khan | Pao | English |
| 2012 | Rebel | APC-MI6 | Telugu |
| 2013 | Baadshah | Saadhu Bhai | Telugu |
| 2014 | 1: Nenokkadine | Antonio Rosarius | Telugu |
| Power | Nayak | Kannada | |
| Brother of Bommali | Telugu | ||
| Ambareesha | RDX | Kannada | |
| 2015 | Edavappathy | Malayalam | |
| 2024 | Blackout | Mr. X | Hindi |
References
edit- ^ Metho's Great Adventure. ASIN 999366345X.
- ^ "11 New Children's Books Published". Save the Children.
- ^ "Bevy of Top Indian Models to Dazzle at the Lakme India Fashion Week". Business Wire India.
- ^ "Interview with Agnimitra Paul, Fashion Designer from India's West Bengal". BiBi Magazine. 8 December 2016.
- ^ "Kelly Dorji". The Times of India. 11 December 2002.
- ^ "I'm hoping to expand Bhutan film market: Kelly Dorji". The Times of India. 14 January 2017.
- ^ "Beauty and the beat". The Times of India. 6 December 2001.
- ^ "Shine on you crazy diamonds". The Times of India. 28 December 2001.
- ^ "Kelly Dorji Profile". Movie Talkies.
- ^ "Contemporary art in Bhutan". Art Radar.
- ^ "Kelly Dorji Profile". Movie Talkies.
- ^ "Dino is not my best friend anymore: Kelly".
- ^ "Why Choose Us". Terton Travel Bhutan.
- ^ "Charity Ride to Celebrate His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo's 60th Birth Anniversary". The Bhutanese.