{{short description|Indian film and stage actor and producer (born 1960)}} {{For|the Trinidadian footballer|Denzil Smith (footballer)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}} {{Use Indian English|date=February 2016}} {{Infobox person | name = Denzil Smith | image = {{CSS image crop |Image = A group photo of Ms Krunti Mazumdar, Shri Pravin Dabas & Ms Emily Hamilton of the film Mem Sahib during the 37th International Film Festival (IFFI-2006) in Panaji, Goa on November 27, 2006.jpg |bSize = 700 |cWidth = 125 |cHeight = 170 |oTop = 70 |oLeft = 48 |Location=center}} | caption = Smith in IFFI 2006 | birth_name = Denzil Leonard Smith | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1960|11|06}} | birth_place = Mumbai, Maharashtra, India | other_names = Denzil L Smith, Denzel Smith | occupation = Actor | years_active = 1988–present | spouse = Carissa Hickling | relatives = Cheryl Roy-Smith (sister) <br/> Lionel Smith (brother) }}
'''Denzil Leonard Smith''' (born 6 November 1960) is an Indian film and stage actor and producer. Born to Anglo-Indian parents in Mumbai, he is known for his stage and screen roles as a character actor. Smith has acted in over 50 plays and 60 films.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1336722/|title=Denzil Smith|website=IMDb|access-date=18 July 2018}} {{unreliable source?|date=July 2019}}</ref>
His film credits include ''Tenet'' (2020), ''Viceroy's House'' (2017), ''Brahman Naman'' (2016), ''The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel'' (2015), ''The Lunchbox'' (2013), ''The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel'' (2011), ''Frozen'' (2007) and ''Paap'' (2003).
His notable television roles include Netflix's ''Delhi Crime'' (2019), ITV's ''Beecham House'' (2019), Amazon Prime's sitcom ''Mind the Malhotras'' (2019) and ''P.O.W. - Bandi Yuddh Ke'' (2016–2017) on Star Plus.
He has a long-standing association with both Motley Productions for ''Waiting for Godot'' and ''The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial'', and PrimeTime Theatre for ''Guahar'', ''August: Osage County'' and ''Sammy.'' Notable international productions include ''Merchants of Bollywood'' (2007–2010) and ''Life of Buddha'' (2014).
==Early life== Smith was born into an Anglo-Indian family in Mumbai, Maharashtra to Benjamin John Smith and Kathleen (Katsy) Maude Shepherd. He has an older sister Cheryl Roy-Smith, and younger brother Lionel Smith. Smith's father was a civil servant with the Government of India, and possessed a deep love for music and the arts.<ref name="indianmemoryproject.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.indianmemoryproject.com/tag/denzil-smith/|title=Denzil Smith Archives - Indian Memory Project|website=Indian Memory Project|access-date=18 July 2018}}</ref> It was through him that Denzil was first exposed to music and theatre.
Smith's father played the accordion, piano, violin and ukulele. A talented singer, Benjamin was granted a leave of absence to represent India as part of the classical cappella Paranjoti Academy Choir for an extended tour of Europe in the 1960s. His father died suddenly when Smith was 11.<ref name="indianmemoryproject.com"/>
Smith completed his schooling at St Andrews in Bandra, and studied English literature at the University of Mumbai.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mumbaitheatreguide.com/dramas/artists/denzil-smith/38/#sthash.fsrCikjf.dpuf|title=Denzil Smith - artist details|website=Mumbaitheatreguide.com|access-date=18 July 2018}}</ref>
==Career== Smith began his professional career as a film executive under Indian adman and actor, Alyque Padamsee, who was then CEO of the advertising agency Lintas.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/people/person.asp?personId=46431536&ticker=REPR:IN|title=Stocks|website=Bloomberg.com|access-date=18 July 2018}}</ref> In 1988, Smith quit his corporate career to focus on stage acting. He trained in voice at the National Centre for the Performing Arts, Mumbai, and was guided by Dr. Ashok Ranade and Pratap Sharma.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://actorapher.wordpress.com/2014/09/18/denzil-smith/|title=Denzil Smith|date=18 September 2014|website=Actorapher.wordpress.com|access-date=18 July 2018}}</ref>
===In theater=== A pivotal play early in his theatrical career was Pearl Padamsee's ''Les Liaisons Dangereuse'' where he first worked with Naseeruddin Shah and Ratna Pathak. Shortly after this play, he became a member of Shah's Motley Productions – a theatre group formed by Naseeruddin Shah, Tom Alter and Benjamin Gilani. Smith played the role of Lucky in Samuel Beckett's ''Waiting for Godot'' with Shah, Gilani, and Kenneth Desai.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hardnewsmedia.com/2009/08/3129|title=Get Obsessed - HARD NEWS|website=Hardnewsmedia.com|access-date=18 July 2018}}</ref> He then went on to do Herman Wouk's ''The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial'', Beckett's ''Endgame'', ''The Odd Couple'' and several other productions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mid-day.com/articles/breaking-the-code/159418|title=Breaking the code|date=22 April 2012|website=Mid-day.com|access-date=18 July 2018}}</ref> Smith then worked with Satyadev Dubey in Hindi productions such as ''Sambogh Se Sanyas Tak''.
By 1998, he also began working extensively with Lilette Dubey's PrimeTime Theatre in productions such as ''On a Muggy Night in Mumbai'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iaac.us/Festival_Of_Indian_Theater/About_Muggy_Night_Mumbai.htm|title=Indo-American Arts Council, Inc.|website=Iaac.us|access-date=18 July 2018}}</ref> ''Zenkatha'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mumbaitheatreguide.com/dramas/english/zenkatha.asp|title=Zen Katha English Play/Drama |website=Mumbaitheatreguide.com|access-date=18 July 2018}}</ref> ''Sammy'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://metawards.com/v1/sammy/|title=Sammy! - Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards|website=Metawards.com|access-date=18 July 2018}}</ref> ''August: Osage County''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://idiva.com/reviews-entertainment/play-review-august-osage-county/9150|title=Play Review: August Osage County - Entertainment|website=Idiva.com|access-date=18 July 2018}}</ref> and "Gauhar" about the life of Gauhar Jaan.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/theatre/Gauhar-A-musical-that-retells-the-story-of-ambition-love-and-betrayal/articleshow/50257130.cms|title=Gauhar: A musical that retells the story of ambition, love and betrayal|newspaper=The Times of India|date=21 December 2015 |access-date=18 July 2018}}</ref> These plays toured both India and various cities in North America, UK and Europe, South-East Asia and Australia.
Smith also played key roles in numerous other productions such as Jawaharlal Nehru in ''Letters to a Daughter from Prison'' (directed by Vijaya Mehta and based on the 1984 publication of Nehru's letters),<ref>Nehru, J., & Gandhi, I. (1984). Letters from a Father to his Daughter. Children's Book Trust</ref> Jesus in ''Jesus Christ Superstar'' in Toronto, Canada, Vali and Vibishan in ''The Legend of Ram'', Judge Brack in ''Hedda Gabler'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.denzilsmith.com/theatre.htm|title=Denzil Smith|website=Denzilsmith.com|access-date=18 July 2018}}</ref> and the solo performer in four monologues written and directed by Zubin Driver in ''Mumbai vs Mumbai''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Theatre-Review-Mumbai-vs-Mumbai/articleshow/20225589.cms|title=Theatre Review: Mumbai vs Mumbai|newspaper=The Times of India|date=24 May 2013 |access-date=18 July 2018}}</ref>
In 2007, Smith joined All Star Artists for the Broadway style musical production ''The Merchants of Bollywood'' – written and directed by Toby Gough and choreographed by Vaibhavi Merchant – in the lead role of the grandfather, Shantilal, and then later a double role that of "a splendidly-mustachioed narrator" and the sleazy Bollywood director Tony Bakshi.<ref>Graham Watts (May 2010) "Review: the Merchants of Bollywood at Peacock Theatre". LondonDance.com Retrieved 12 May 2015</ref> There were 600 shows between 2007 and 2009 in the UK, Europe and Malaysia.<ref>(August 2009) "Mesmerising Bollywood musical thrills audience". The Star Online. Retrieved 12 May 2015</ref> and he reprised his role for a run in the UK<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sadlerswells.com/whats-on/2016/the-merchants-of-bollywood/|title=The Merchants of Bollywood - The Peacock|website=Sadlerswells.com|access-date=18 July 2018}}</ref> and Lebanon in 2016. In 2017, Smith re-joined director Toby Gough, choreographer Shruti Merchant<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/national-tours/article/TAJ-EXPRESS-Bollywood-Revue-to-Spread-Color-Sparkle-and-Energy-Across-the-US-in-2017-20161212|title=TAJ EXPRESS Bollywood Revue to Spread Color, Sparkle and Energy Across the US in 2017|website=Braodwayworld.com|access-date=18 July 2018}}</ref> and team as the voice of Raj Pakoda in the light-hearted dance musical Taj Express.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/theatre/818313/taj-express-review-peacock-theatre-london|title=Taj Express review: Dancing that goes straight to the heart|first=Jeffery|last=Taylor|date=18 June 2017|website=Express.co.uk|access-date=18 July 2018}}</ref>
In 2020, along with Sonali Kulkarni and Shernaz Patel, he led the cast in the role of Superintendent Daniel D'Mello in the classic Whodunnit ''The Mirror Crack'd'' by Agatha Christie, adapted by Rachel Wagstaff in an Indian version by Ayeesha Menon, directed by the British director Melly Still and produced by international theatre producer Pádraig Cusack, staged at the Jamshed Bhabha Theatre at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (India) in Mumbai.
In addition to his acting career, Smith also regularly curates theatre programming at Celebrate Bandra.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.celebratebandra.com/celebrate-bandra.html |title=Celebrate Bandra |access-date=15 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150815162737/http://celebratebandra.com/celebrate-bandra.html |archive-date=15 August 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
===In film=== Smith has worked in a range of independent, Bollywood and international film productions. One of Smith's early films was ''Mango Soufflé'' (2002), an adaptation of Mahesh Dattani's successful English stage play ''On a Muggy Night in Mumbai'', which was centered around the lives of gay men in Mumbai. The film starring Atul Kulkarni, Rinkie Khanna, Heeba Shah and Ankur Vikal, was promoted as "first gay male film from India."<ref>{{cite news|title=Mango Souffle (2003)|url=https://www.nytimes.com/movies/movie/285999/Mango-Souffle/overview|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808185103/http://www.nytimes.com/movies/movie/285999/Mango-Souffle/overview|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 August 2014|department=Movies & TV Dept.|work=The New York Times|author=Matthew Tobey|date=2014|access-date=19 July 2014}}</ref>
He is known for roles such as the Tibetan monk Lama Norbu in ''Paap'' (2003), directed by Pooja Bhatt and starring John Abraham, and as Tenzing in the film ''Frozen'' (2007), based in Leh and Ladakh. Among the many independent films he has worked in are ''Shobhayatra'' (2004), where he played Jawaharlal Nehru, ''The Memsahib'' (2006), ''Mumbai Salsa'' (2007), ''Chase'' (2010), ''Lamhaa'' (2010), ''Impatient Vivek'' (2011), ''Tripura'' (2011), Ajita Suchitra Veera's ''Ballad of Rustom'' (2012), ''John Day'' (2013), and ''Dad... Hold My Hand!'' (2015). In 2017, Smith played the role of the Principal in the Marathi film ''Manjha'' (2017), directed by Jatin Wagle.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/marathi/movies/news/poster-of-manjha-is-out/articleshow/56574844.cms|title=Poster of Ashvini Bhave's 'Manjha' is out |newspaper=The Times of India|date=26 February 2017 |access-date=18 July 2018}}</ref> Recent films include Ritesh Batra's ''Photograph'', which premiered at Sundance Film Festival in February 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scroll.in/reel/909953/ritesh-batras-photograph-to-be-screened-at-berlin-film-festival|title=Ritesh Batra's 'Photograph' to be screened at Berlin Film Festival|author=Scroll Staff|website=Scroll.in|date=18 January 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scroll.in/reel/913622/photograph-trailer-nawazuddin-siddiqui-and-sanya-malhotra-make-an-unusual-couple|title='Photograph' trailer: Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Sanya Malhotra make an unusual couple|author=Scroll Staff|website=Scroll.in|date=18 February 2019 }}</ref>
He's also been featured in many Bollywood films such as ''Ek Ajnabee'' (2005) with Arjun Rampal, Amitabh Bachchan and Parizaad Zorabian, ''Zid'' (2014) and ''Bombay Velvet'' (2015) directed by Anurag Kashyap with Anushka Sharma and Ranbir Kapoor,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.denzilsmith.com/film.htm|title=Denzil Smith|website=Denzilsmith.com|access-date=18 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://in.bookmyshow.com/person/denzil-smith/7385|title=Denzil Smith - Movies, Biography, News, Age & Photos - BookMyShow|website=BookMyShow|access-date=18 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmzJWZqhLmI|title=DENZIL SMITH SHOWREEL|via=YouTube|access-date=18 July 2018}}</ref> Kabir Khan's ''Phantom'' (2015) with Saif Ali Khan and Katrina Kaif.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/Bn4G38geN6JZFQWwwadiaI/Film-review-Phantom.html|title=Film review: Phantom|first=Uday|last=Bhatia|date=28 August 2015|website=Livemint.com|access-date=18 July 2018}}</ref> Smith appeared in the crime drama Baazaar (2018), as the Manipuri militant leader in Disney's ''Jagga Jasoos'' (2018),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/entertainment/jagga-jasoos-box-office-collection-prediction-ranbir-kapoor-katrina-kaif-starrer-to-earn-under-rs-50-cr-in-india-alone/762197/|title=Jagga Jasoos box office collection prediction: Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina Kaif starrer to earn under Rs 50 cr in India alone|date=13 July 2017|website=Financialexpress.com|access-date=18 July 2018}}</ref> the emergency period action film ''Baadshaho'' (2017),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://telanganatoday.com/baadshaho-just-a-regular-action-film|title=Baadshaho: Just a regular action film|website=Telanganatoday.com|access-date=18 July 2018}}</ref> comedy ''Happy Phirr Bhag Jayegi'' (2018)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eenaduindia.com/entertainment/bollywood/2018/08/24124426/Happy-Phir-Bhaag-Jayegi-Review-Lighthearted-Comedy.vpf|title='Happy Phir Bhaag Jayegi' Review: Light-hearted Comedy in a complex plot|access-date=19 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190119174658/http://www.eenaduindia.com/entertainment/bollywood/2018/08/24124426/Happy-Phir-Bhaag-Jayegi-Review-Lighthearted-Comedy.vpf|archive-date=19 January 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> and as a detective in the mystery thriller ''Badla'' directed by Sujoy Ghosh and starring Amitabh Bachchan and Taapsee Pannu.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/movie-review/badla-movie-review-taapsee-pannu-amitabh-bachchan-and-amrita-singh-leave-a-powerful-impression-in-this-sujoy-ghosh-thriller/articleshow/68316124.cms|title=Badla movie review: Taapsee Pannu, Amitabh Bachchan and Amrita Sing leave powerful impression in this Sujoy Ghosh thriller|access-date=29 March 2019}}</ref> Upcoming work includes Bell Bottom (2021 film) with Akshay Kumar, which was filmed in Scotland under COVID restrictions<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ramachandran|first=Naman|date=2020-09-30|title=Akshay Kumar's 'Bellbottom' Wraps Scotland Shoot Amid Pandemic (EXCLUSIVE)|url=https://variety.com/2020/film/news/akshay-kumar-bellbottom-scotland-shoot-wrap-pandemic-1234787639/|access-date=2021-02-20|website=Variety|language=en-US}}</ref> and Penthouse with Bobby Deol.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Desk|first=India TV News|date=2021-03-04|title=Bobby Deol, Arjun Rampal announce next OTT venture Penthouse|url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/entertainment/celebrities/bobby-deol-arjun-rampal-announce-next-ott-venture-penthouse-688846|access-date=2021-03-06|website=www.indiatvnews.com|language=en}}</ref>
Smith has featured in several international productions that have achieved both critical and commercial success – ''One Night with the King'' (2007) with Omar Sharif and Peter O’Toole,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/movies/movie/342307/One-Night-with-the-King/cast|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150620143558/http://www.nytimes.com/movies/movie/342307/One-Night-with-the-King/cast|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 June 2015|department=Movies & TV Dept.|work=The New York Times|date=2015|title=Movie Reviews|access-date=18 July 2018}}</ref> ''The Lunchbox'' (2013) with Irrfan Khan,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/apr/12/this-weeks-new-films|title=Calvary, The Raid 2, The Quiet Ones: this week's new films|first=Steve|last=Rose|date=12 April 2014|website=the Guardian|access-date=18 July 2018}}</ref> ''The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel'' (2011) and ''The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel'' (2015) with Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Dev Patel, Bill Nighy and directed by John Madden<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2555736/fullcredits|title=The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2015)|access-date=18 July 2018|website=IMDb.com}} {{unreliable source?|date=July 2019}}</ref> and ''Brahman Naman'' (2016), a Netflix original release<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/brahman-naman-movie-review-q-netflix-sex-comedy-shashank-arora-328118-2016-07-08|title=Brahman Naman movie review: Netflix's first Indian release is a first-rate sex comedy|website=India Today|access-date=18 July 2018}}</ref> sex comedy, directed by Qaushiq Mukherjee, written by Naman Ramachandran<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.in/2016/07/09/brahman-naman-review_n_10903012.html|title='Brahman Naman' Review: Enjoyably Raunchy Comedy Hits The Spot|date=9 July 2016|website=Huffingtonpost.com|access-date=18 July 2018}}</ref> with Shashank Arora.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/reviews/brahman-naman-review-sundance-1201688510/|title=Sundance Film Review: 'Brahman Naman'|first=Dennis|last=Harvey|date=26 January 2016|website=Variety.com|access-date=18 July 2018}}</ref>
Smith's most prominent international films include Christopher Nolan's Tenet with John David Washington and Robert Pattinson, where Smith plays Sanjay Singh<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-09-26|title=Denzil Smith says shooting for Christopher Nolan's upcoming film Tenet was an 'extraordinary experience' |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/denzil-smith-says-shooting-for-christopher-nolans-upcoming-film-tenet-was-an-extraordinary-experience-7407091.html|access-date=2021-03-07|website=Firstpost}}</ref> husband of arms dealer played by Dimple Kapadia and Gurinder Chadha's ''Viceroy's House'' on India's partition in 1947 in which he plays the role of Muhammad Ali Jinnah.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://thereel.scroll.in/800944/jinnah-was-noble-in-his-intentions-says-actor-denzil-smith-playing-the-historical-figure-in-viceroys-house |title=Losing weight to fit in: Denzil Smith on playing Jinnah |access-date=13 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160524214202/http://thereel.scroll.in/800944/jinnah-was-noble-in-his-intentions-says-actor-denzil-smith-playing-the-historical-figure-in-viceroys-house |archive-date=24 May 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://thewire.in/159561/denzil-smith-viceroys-house-mohammed-ali-jinnah/ |title='For My Role, I Tried to Look at Jinnah Through Very Different Eyes' |access-date=13 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813152950/https://thewire.in/159561/denzil-smith-viceroys-house-mohammed-ali-jinnah/ |archive-date=13 August 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
Smith has also starred in Thalapathy Vijay's ''Leo (2023 Indian film) as a judge''.<ref>{{cite web | title=Denzil Smith in Thalapathy Vijay's 'Leo' - Tamil Movie News | website=The Times of India | date=June 9, 2023 | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/denzil-smith-in-thalapathy-vijays-leo/articleshow/100866036.cms | access-date=June 15, 2023}}</ref>
===On television, radio and voice=== Smith has acted in many Indian television serials as well as international tele-series. Prominent ones include ITV's ''Beecham House''<ref>{{Cite web|title=Meet the cast of ITV's Indian period drama Beecham House|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/beecham-house-itv-cast-tom-bateman-lesley-nicol-dakota-blue-richards-itv/|access-date=2021-03-07|website=Radio Times|language=en}}</ref> which is Gurinder Chadha's Indian period piece, Netflix's ''Delhi Crime''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://scroll.in/reel/916903/going-beyond-pain-and-anger-netflix-series-delhi-crime-digs-into-the-2012-gangrape-and-murder|title='Going beyond pain and anger': Netflix series 'Delhi Crime' digs into the 2012 gangrape and murder|website=scroll.in|date=18 March 2019 |access-date=29 March 2019}}</ref> directed by Richie Mehta on the Nirbhaya gang rape tragedy, renewed for Season 2.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.otakukart.com/500105/delhi-crime-season-2-release-date-trailer-and-cast/|title=Delhi Crime Season 2: update, Trailer, And Cast|author=OtakuKart Staff|website=Otakukart News|date=5 January 2020 }}</ref> Smith also played the therapist in Amazon Prime's sitcom ''Mind the Malhotras'' (2019)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/television/web-series/story/mind-the-malhotras-review-mini-mathur-and-cyrus-sahukar-s-series-is-a-delightful-watch-1547389-2019-06-12|title=Mind the Malhotras review|website=indiatoday.in|access-date=20 June 2019}}</ref> and ''P.O.W. - Bandi Yuddh Ke'' (2016–2017) on Star Plus for which he won 2017 Indian Television Academy Awards Best Actor in a Negative Role.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/i-was-rejected-as-not-fit-for-tv-smriti-irani/story-k1CKctkTUNaCeHGoTmIt3M.html|title=That one time when Smriti Irani was rejected as not fit for TV|date=6 November 2017|website=Hindustan Times}}</ref> In 2019, Netflix and BBC cast Smith to play the father of serial killer Charles Sobhraj in their eight-part series ''The Serpent''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/tahar-rahim-bbc-netflix-series-the-serpent-charles-sobhraj-1203222083/ |title=Netflix Boards BBC's 'The Serpent,' Starring Tahar Rahim as Serial Killer (EXCLUSIVE) |last1=Keslassy |first1=Elsa |last2= Clarke |first2=Stewart |date=2019-07-15 |website=Variety |language=en |access-date=2019-07-30}}</ref>
Smith is also in an episode of ''Made in Heaven'' (2019) on Amazon Video, ''C.I.D.'' (1997–2013) on Sony, ''Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin'' (2012–2014), ''Hansa: A Love Story'', ''Rishtey'' and ''Time Bomb 9/11'' on Zee TV, ''The Sword of Tipu Sultan'' (1990) on Doordarshan, ''The Return of Sandokan'' on Italian National TV, and ''Samvidhaan: The Making of the Constitution of India'' (2014) produced by Rajya Sabha TV and directed by Shyam Benegal.
Smith regularly lends his voice for various radio dramas, documentaries and advertisements. His voice has been featured in ''Tiger's Eye'' and ''The Mrichhakatikaa'' for BBC Radio,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/schedules/radio3/2004-03-07|title=BBC Radio 3 - 7 March 2004 - BBC Genome|website=Genome.ch.bbc.co.uk|access-date=18 July 2018|archive-date=19 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719025744/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/schedules/radio3/2004-03-07|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.artandadventure.org/|title=Art and Adventure – Creative content for broadcast, film and video, online, live performance and commerce.|website=Artandadventure.org|access-date=18 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Kumar |first=Sujai |title=the industrial theatre co. |url=http://industrialtheatre.net/past_mrichhakatikaa.html |access-date=18 July 2018 |website=Industrialtheatre.net}}</ref> and on Personality Hour for Times FM.
Has also dubbed in Hindi feature films like ''Hanuman'', ''House of Flying Daggers'', ''The Boolean Conspiracy'', ''Up'', ''Bolt'', ''James and the Giant Peach'', ''Amar Chitra Katha'', ''A Bug's Life'', ''Shoot at Sight'', ''Making of The Mahatma'', ''Kung Fu Hustle'' and ''Red Cliff''. He has done and several voiceovers for commercials, corporate films and documentaries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.denzilsmith.com/radio.htm|title=Denzil Smith|website=Denzilsmith.com|access-date=18 July 2018}}</ref>
===Media and events=== Smith's love of music – Jazz in particular – has translated into being a regular host of jazz festivals, music and other events. He regularly hosts Jazz tribute concerts on International Jazz Day at the National Centre for the Performing Arts and Blue Frog in Mumbai. He also co-hosted the META awards in 2014 with Perizaad Zorabian.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnWtMMH01A8|title=International Jazz Day 30th April 2015 Artists - Mumbai Edition Part 2|last=Gino Banks Official|date=28 April 2015|access-date=18 July 2018|via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://mp3tunes.org/mp3/Jazz+Goa+celebrates+International+Jazz+Day-1|title=Jazz Goa celebrates International Jazz Day-1 free mp3 download|website=mp3tunes.org|access-date=18 July 2018}}</ref>
Smith has been involved in charities such as Avehi Abacus.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unitedwaymumbai.org/fundraiser-4648|title=United Way of Mumbai - Fundraiser Page - Denzil Smith|website=Unitedwaymumbai.org|access-date=18 July 2018}}</ref> He also conducts voice workshops in theatre institutes and colleges in India.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bandra.info/the-learning-curves-course-on-the-art-of-speaking/|title=The Learning Curve's course on The Art of Speaking. - BANDRA INFO|website=bandra.info|access-date=18 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib:LowLevelEntityToPrint_TOI&Type=text/html&Locale=english-skin-custom&Path=TOIM/2010/01/11&ID=Ar03801|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150620160431/http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib:LowLevelEntityToPrint_TOI&Type=text/html&Locale=english-skin-custom&Path=TOIM/2010/01/11&ID=Ar03801|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 June 2015|title=LOCAL VOCAL|website=epaper.timesofindia.com|access-date=18 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tanyamunshi.com/lifestyle/pep-talk/the-art-of-speaking/|title=The Art of Speaking - The Lifestyle Portal|date=8 September 2011|website=Tanyamunshi.com|access-date=18 July 2018}}</ref>
===Producer=== thumb|Denzil Smith (r) plays the lead of the mentor, with Rhys D'Souza as the mentee in StageSmith Productions' ''Bombay Jazz'', a play inspired by the lives of Jazz musicians in Bombay's film industry (now popularly called Bollywood) – February 2015 Smith founded Stagesmith Productions in 2006 with an aim to produce Indian English Theatre rooted in homegrown narratives. Its first production, titled ''Jazz'', starred actor Bhargava Krishna, saxophonist Rhys D’souza, and featured musical compositions by Merlin D’Souza.<ref>{{cite news|title=Mumbai Mirror, Thursday, November 8, 2007|url=https://pragyatiwari.wordpress.com/theatre/jazz/ |access-date=21 June 2015}}</ref> The play opened to a full-house at the Prithvi Theatre Festival in 2007, and won a 'Best Actor' award for Krishna at the Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards in 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jazz-morethanjustamusical.blogspot.in/|title=JAZZ - more than just a musical|website=jazz-morethanjustamusical.blogspot.in|access-date=18 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mumbaitheatreguide.com/dramas/reviews/21_review_jazz.asp|title=Jazz - english drama review |website=Mumbaitheatreguide.com|access-date=18 July 2018}}</ref> The play has also been credited with laying the seed for Fernandes' now-iconic book on the history of Jazz music in India and Goan Jazz musicians in Bombay's film industry – ''Taj Mahal Foxtrot: The Story of Bombay’s Jazz Age''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.tehelka.com/story_main51.asp?filename=hub280112Naresh.asp|title=Tehelka - India's Independent Weekly News Magazine|website=archive.tehelka.com|access-date=18 July 2018|archive-date=18 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150618122134/http://archive.tehelka.com/story_main51.asp?filename=hub280112Naresh.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.caravanmagazine.in/books/hot-music-bombay-hotel?page=0,1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150618114024/http://www.caravanmagazine.in/books/hot-music-bombay-hotel?page=0,1|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 June 2015|title=Hot Music In A Bombay Hotel | The Caravan - A Journal of Politics and Culture|date=18 June 2015}}</ref>
In 2015, StageSmith revived ''Jazz'', and renamed it ''Bombay Jazz'' with Smith himself playing the mentor – an amalgamation of jazz musicians Sebastian D’Souza, Chris Perry, Micky Correa, Chic Chocolate (also known as Louis Armstrong of India)<ref>Dorin, S. (2010). Jazz and race in colonial India: The role of Anglo-Indian musicians in the diffusion of jazz in India. Jazz Research Journal, 4(2), 123-140.</ref> Frank Fernand and Anthony Gonsalves –<ref>{{cite web|url=http://epaper.dnaindia.com/story.aspx?id=76288&boxid=27123&ed_date=2015-2-22&ed_page=4&ed_code=820009|title=MUMBAI CITY [PG 4] : Unsung jazzmen of Bollywood to come alive, on stage|website=epaper.dnaindia.com|access-date=18 July 2018}}</ref> with saxophonist Rhys Sebastian D’Souza playing the mentee.
In 2016, StageSmith created a new production "Poetrification" dubbed as "Your moment to get smashed by some poetry & music."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timeout.com/mumbai/events/poetrification-at-celebrate-bandra|title=Poetrification at Celebrate Bandra|website=Timeout.com|access-date=18 July 2018}}</ref> In the performance, Denzil Smith, Danish Husain, and a musician craft a performance of poetry, music, and banter. Denzil performs pieces by English poets from the sub-continent - Dom Moraes, AK Ramanujan, Jeet Thayil, Arundhathi Subramaniam - while Danish recites Urdu poets - Ghalib, Noon Meem Rashed, Faiz, Zehra Nigah, Afzal Ahmed Syed. Through this, Adil Manuel or Beven Fonesca weave words with music.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mid-day.com/articles/denzil-smith-danish-husain-english-poetry-urdu-poetry-poetrification/17738165|title=The Poetrification of Hindi and Urdu poetry|date=6 November 2016|website=Mid-day.com|access-date=18 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/be-a-part-of-qissebaazi-poetrification-at-chandigarh-lit-fest/articleshow/61568060.cms|title=Be a part of 'qissebaazi', 'poetrification' at Chandigarh lit fest |newspaper=The Times of India|date=9 November 2017 |access-date=18 July 2018}}</ref>
==Filmography== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year!!Film / TV Series!! Role !!Notes |- |1996 | ''The Return of Sandokan'' || Village Headman || Television Series |- |2001 | ''Pyaar Ishq Aur Mohabbat'' || Mahesh Nair || |- |2002 | ''Mango Souffle'' ||Ranjith || |- | rowspan="2" |2004 | ''Shobhayatra'' || Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru / Dwivedi || |- | ''Paap'' || Lama Norbu || |- | rowspan="2" |2005 | ''Ek Ajnabee'' || Lee Kap || |- | ''Rog'' || Deputy Commissioner Kumar || |- | rowspan="2" |2006 | ''The Memsahib'' || Prof. Neil Thakker || |- | ''One Night with the King'' || Prince Carshena || |- | rowspan="2" |2007 | ''Mumbai Salsa'' ||Kay Kay || |- | ''Frozen'' || Tenzing || |- |2008 | ''Shaurya'' || Brigadier P. P. V. Nair || |- | rowspan="2" |2010 | ''Lamhaa: The Untold Story of Kashmir'' || Brigadier Sharma || |- | ''Chase'' || Dr. A.K. Sehgal || |- |2012 | ''Ballad of Rustom'' || Professor || |- | rowspan="3" |2011 | ''The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel'' || Mr. Dharuna, Viceroy Club Secretary || |- | ''Tripura'' || Shiva ||Television Film |- | ''Impatient Vivek'' || Rameshwar || |- | rowspan="4" |2013 | ''The Lunchbox'' || Mr Shroff || |- | ''The Coffin Maker'' || Father John || |- | ''John Day'' || Priest || |- | ''Going Away'' || Ray DeCruz || |- | rowspan="3" |2014 | ''Zid'' || Inspector Moses || |- | ''Samvidhaan: The Making of the Constitution of India'' || Auctioneer || Television Series |- | ''O Teri'' || Murli Manohar Mahapatra || |- | rowspan="4" |2015 | ''Phantom'' || Haider || |- | ''Dad... Hold My Hand!'' || Father || |- | ''Bombay Velvet'' || Larsen || |- | ''The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel'' || Mr. Dharuna, Viceroy Club Secretary || |- | rowspan="2" | 2016 | ''Ishq Forever'' || Karan || |- | ''Brahman Naman'' || Professor Bernie (Bernard Jude Kumar Irudayasam) || Netflix Series |- | rowspan="8" |2017 | ''Viceroy's House'' / Partition: 1947 || Muhammad Ali Jinnah || |- | ''Jagga Jasoos'' || Manipuri Militant Leader || |- | ''Manjha'' || Principal Dsouza || |- | ''Baadshaho'' || Col Rudra Pratap Singh || |- | ''Aksar 2''|| Assassin || |- | ''Woh Admi Bahut Kuch Jaanta Tha'' || Furkhan Quereshi || |- |''Black Widow: A Land Bleeds'' || Anthropologist || |- | ''Naam Shabana'' || || |- |2016–17 | ''P.O.W. - Bandi Yuddh Ke'' || Lala/Jamal Rashid || Television Series |- | rowspan="3" |2018 | ''Happy Phirr Bhag Jayegi'' || Adnan Chow || |- | ''Baazaar'' || Kishore Wadhwa || |- | ''Naa Peru Surya'' || Activist Politician || |- | rowspan="1" |2019–2022 | ''Mind the Malhotras'' || Dr Gulfam Rustogi || Amazon Prime Video series |- |rowspan=7|2019 | ''Beecham House'' || Maharaja of Kalyan | Netflix |- | ''Photograph'' || Hasmukhbhai || |- | ''Badla'' || Detective Sondhi || |- | ''The Good Karma Hospital'' || Anish ||ITV Series |- | ''Made in Heaven''|| Mr Swarup || Amazon Prime Video series |- | ''Bombairiya'' || Rahul Saigal (Nandini's father) || |- | ''Skyfire'' || Nalini Ranjan Pant || ZEE5 webseries<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.zee5.com/zee5news/denzil-smith-brings-his-experience-to-his-role-in-skyfire|title=Denzil Smith brings his experience to his role In Skyfire}}</ref> |- |2020 | ''Tenet'' || Sanjay Singh || English film |- | rowspan="5" |2021 | ''Silence... Can You Hear It?'' || Commission Sanjay Sharma ||ZEE5 film |- | ''Bell Bottom'' || R. N. Kao || |- | ''The Serpent'' || Sobhraj Hatchand Bhaonani ||Netflix and BBC |- | ''Dybbuk'' || Father Gabriel ||Amazon Prime Video film |- |''Hum Bhi Akele Tum Bhi Akele'' |MLA Tsong |Disney Hotstar film |- | 2019 - 2025 | ''Delhi Crime'' || Vishal Chaturvedi || Netflix |- | rowspan="8" |2023 |''White Ant''||Ashish ||Short film |- |''Lakadbaggha''||ACP Crime Branch<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/lakadbaggha-review-anshuman-jha-ridhi-dogras-vigilante-thriller-is-slick-and-stylish-6821437.html | title=Lakadbaggha Review: Anshuman Jha-Ridhi Dogra's Vigilante Thriller is Slick and Stylish | date=13 January 2023 }}</ref>|| |- |''Agent''||Abhijeet Mehta|| |- |''The Lady Killer'' || Dr. Khurana || |- |''Leo''||Judge|| Tamil film |- |''P I Meena'' || Kedar Pokhral || Amazon Prime Video series |- |''Tiger 3''||Home Minister|| |- |''The Railway Men'' || Railway Minister || Netflix series |- |rowspan="4"|2024 |''Showtime'' |Deven Viktor |Disney+Hotstar |- |''Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3'' |Maharaj | <ref>{{cite web |title=Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 First Reviews: Kartik Aaryan Impresses, Vidya Balan Shines, But Original Charm Falls Short |url=https://www.brutimes.com/news/entertainment/bhool-bhulaiyaa-3-first-reviews-kartik-aaryan-impresses-vidya-balan-shines-but-original-charm-falls-short |website=Bru Times News |language=en}}</ref> |- |''Taaza Khabar'' |Christopher D'Souza |Disney+Hotstar |- |''Poachers''||Nilesh Sharma||Prime Video series |- |rowspan="3"|2025 |''The Ba***ds of Bollywood'' |Mr. Sinha |Netflix series |- |''Controll'' |Colonel Khan | |- |''The Confession'' |Bishop | |- | rowspan="10" {{TBA}} |''3 Monkeys'' ||Chief Justice ||Post-Production |}
==Dubbing roles== ===Animated series=== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Program title !! Original voice !! Character !! Dub language !! Original language !! Number of episodes !! Original airdate !! Dubbed airdate !! Notes |- | ''Captain Planet and the Planeteers'' || David Coburn || Captain Planet || Hindi || English || || 15 September 1990 – 11 May 1996 || || |- |''Schirkoa'' | | | | |2022 |Hawker (Voice) |Animation<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramachandran |first=Naman |date=2021-12-10 |title=Ishan Shukla's 'Schirkoa' Animation Begins Motion Capture in France (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/animation-schirkoa-ishan-shukla-motion-capture-1235130636/ |access-date=2022-06-18 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> |}
===Live action films=== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Film title !! Actor !! Character !! Dub language !! Original language !! Original year release !! Dub year release !! Notes |- | ''Batman Forever'' || Val Kilmer || Bruce Wayne / Batman || Hindi || English || 1995 || 1995 || |- | ''Batman & Robin'' || George Clooney || Bruce Wayne / Batman || Hindi || English || 1997 || 1997 || |- | ''The Phantom'' || Billy Zane || Kit <br>Walker / The Phantom || Hindi || English || 1996 || 1996 || |- | ''Hellboy'' || Corey Johnson || Agent Clay || Hindi || English || 2004 || 2004 || |- | ''V for Vendetta'' || Hugo Weaving || V || Hindi || English || 2005 || 2005 || |- | ''Blade: Trinity'' || Wesley Snipes || Eric Brooks / Blade || Hindi || English || 2004 || 2004 || |- | ''Captain America: The Winter Soldier'' || Robert Redford || Alexander Pierce || Hindi || English || 2014 || 2014 || |- | ''Ant-Man and the Wasp'' || Laurence Fishburne || Bill Foster || Hindi || English || 2018 || 2018 || |- | ''Avengers: Endgame'' || Robert Redford || Alexander Pierce || Hindi || English || 2019 || 2019 || |- | ''Dumbo'' || Alan Arkin || J. Griffin Remington || Hindi || English || 2019 || 2019 || |- | ''Tenet'' || Himself || Sanjay Singh || Hindi || English || 2020 || 2020 || |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * [http://www.denzilsmith.com Denzil Smith's Official Website] * {{IMDb name|id=1336722}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Smith, Denzil}} Category:Indian male film actors Category:Anglo-Indian people Category:Living people Category:1960 births