For generations of cinema buffs, Danny Denzongpa’s name is associated with Bollywood’s most fearsome villains. Known for his deep and imposing voice and memorable roles including that of Kancha Cheena in ‘Agneepath’ Denzongpa made a name for himself in the film industry. But behind the scenes, he also owns one of India’s most successful beer companies.
Who is Danny Denzongpa?
Born as Tshering Phinjo Denzongpa on February 25, 1948 in Yuksom village in Sikkim, Danny Denzongpa’s journey spanned over 190 films and the founding of Yuksom Breweries in 1987. Named after his birthplace, the brewery was initially a local venture but has now become India’s third largest beer company, behind only Kingfisher and Kimaya.
Denzongpa’s aim was to create employment in his native village and give it global recognition. He leveraged his popularity to build a successful brand that now sells over 30 lakh cases of beer every year.
Starting with Yuksom, the company opened Denzong Breweries in Odisha in 2005 and acquired Rhino Agencies in 2009. With these three breweries, Yuksom produces around 68 lakh litres of beer every year.
Affordable pricing has been the main reason for its popularity. For instance, the price of Yuksom beer in Odisha starts at Rs 105. Yuksom Breweries contributes around Rs 100 crore to Sikkim’s economy every year and employs over 250 people. According to industry experts, the company’s turnover is between Rs 500-700 crore, with each bottle priced between Rs 105-115.
Denzongpa’s Net Worth
Although the company does not make its profit figures public, experts believe that it operates at a low cost by using local resources. Danny Denzongpa’s net worth is estimated to be around ₹250 crore, which is quite commendable considering his film career and business success.
Perhaps Yuksom Breweries’ boldest move came in 2009, when Denzongpa acquired Rhino Agencies in Assam. The move prevented Vijay Mallya’s United Breweries from dominating the market.
