# Kelly Dorji
**Kelly Dorji**, full name Kalden "Kelly" Sonam Dorji, is a Bhutanese-born actor, model, and artist who works primarily in Indian films, in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada.[1](https://www.xwhos.com/person/kelly_dorji-whois.html) He made his name as a model in India in the late 1990s and early 2000s, moved into films in 2005 with the Hindi war film *[Tango Charlie](https://www.edgepedia.org/tango-charlie)*, and became best known for playing villains, most prominently Feroz in the Telugu film *Don* (released in Hindi as *Don No. 1*).[2](https://www.telegraphindia.com/culture/former-model-and-actor-kelly-dorji-on-writing-a-book-and-living-the-slow-life-in-bhutan/cid/1737182) • [3](https://www.indiaforums.com/article/kelly-dorjee-aspires-to-be-don-no-1_4489) Around 2014 he relocated from Mumbai to Thimphu, Bhutan, where he runs businesses and helps direct a literary festival, while continuing to accept film and streaming roles.[4](https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/want-to-explore-different-roles-mother-fed-up-of-watching-me-play-villain-kelly-dorji-101723447602450.html)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Kalden "Kelly" Sonam Dorji[1](https://www.xwhos.com/person/kelly_dorji-whois.html) |
| Born | 4 January, Thimphu, Bhutan; the year is given as 1971 by Indian Film History and FilmiBeat and as 1967 by Rotten Tomatoes[5](https://www.indianfilmhistory.com/actor/kelly-dorji) • [6](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/kelly_dorji) |
| Model break | Gladrags Manhunt Contest, which took him into mainstream modeling[7](https://www.filmibeat.com/celebs/kelly-dorji/biography.html) |
| Film debut | Antagonist in *Tango Charlie* (2005), with Ajay Devgn and Bobby Deol in the lead[2](https://www.telegraphindia.com/culture/former-model-and-actor-kelly-dorji-on-writing-a-book-and-living-the-slow-life-in-bhutan/cid/1737182) |
| Signature role | Feroz, the main villain of the Telugu *Don* (2007); the film had run for eight weeks in southern India and grossed Rs. 850 million by late February 2008[3](https://www.indiaforums.com/article/kelly-dorjee-aspires-to-be-don-no-1_4489) |
| Output | Close to 30 films in multiple languages[2](https://www.telegraphindia.com/culture/former-model-and-actor-kelly-dorji-on-writing-a-book-and-living-the-slow-life-in-bhutan/cid/1737182) |
| Base since mid-2010s | Thimphu, Bhutan; travel company, gastro pub, art gallery, and literary festival work[4](https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/want-to-explore-different-roles-mother-fed-up-of-watching-me-play-villain-kelly-dorji-101723447602450.html) |
## Background and education
Dorji was born in Thimphu, Bhutan.[6](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/kelly_dorji) His father is Dasho Palijor J. Dorji, whom the *Telegraph* described as a public servant with royal links and an environmental advocate.[8](https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/bhutan-ready-for-lara/cid/823046) A later Hindi-language retrospective reported that his grandfather was Jigme Palden Dorji, a former Prime Minister of Bhutan.[9](https://www.tv9hindi.com/entertainment/south-cinema/kelly-dorji-now-bhutanese-actor-who-played-don-no-1-villain-dated-lara-dutta-for-9-years-3874927.html/amp)
He came to India to study, attending St. Paul's boarding school in [Darjeeling](https://www.edgepedia.org/darjeeling) and then [St. Xavier's College, Mumbai](https://www.edgepedia.org/st-xaviers-college-mumbai), where he took an honors degree in history.[10](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/kelly-dorji/articleshow/30978287.cms) • [9](https://www.tv9hindi.com/entertainment/south-cinema/kelly-dorji-now-bhutanese-actor-who-played-don-no-1-villain-dated-lara-dutta-for-9-years-3874927.html/amp) According to his father, Kelly was sent to study law in India, completed his graduation at St. Xavier's, and went to Delhi for postgraduate study, but did not obtain a law degree and instead won a title in the Gladrags modeling competition.[8](https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/bhutan-ready-for-lara/cid/823046)
## Modeling career
A modeling coordinator, Rasna Behl, spotted him in college, and he became a fixture of the Indian fashion scene.[10](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/kelly-dorji/articleshow/30978287.cms) In the late 1990s and early 2000s he was described as one of the biggest names in Indian modeling.[2](https://www.telegraphindia.com/culture/former-model-and-actor-kelly-dorji-on-writing-a-book-and-living-the-slow-life-in-bhutan/cid/1737182) Alongside the runway he anchored the movie-based television show *Star Biz* (also reported as *Star Buzz*) on Star Movies with model [Lisa Ray](https://www.edgepedia.org/lisa-ray), and he later founded a modeling school and agency called Suede in Mumbai, with a [Northeast India](https://www.edgepedia.org/northeast-india) outreach tie-up in Guwahati.[10](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/kelly-dorji/articleshow/30978287.cms) • [11](https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/misty-city-a-lovely-place-to-relax-kelly/cid/1542441)
A 2002 profile reported that he was offered a role in the French film *Samsara* and turned it down.[10](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/kelly-dorji/articleshow/30978287.cms) His first film, *Auroville 316*, directed by Shameem Desai and co-starring Meghna Reddy, was completed around 2001 but never released.[12](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1795256/)
## Acting career
Dorji transitioned to films in 2005 as the antagonist in *Tango Charlie*.[2](https://www.telegraphindia.com/culture/former-model-and-actor-kelly-dorji-on-writing-a-book-and-living-the-slow-life-in-bhutan/cid/1737182) That year he appeared in several Hindi films, including *Ek Ajnabee* (as Inspector Kelly), *[Chocolate](https://www.edgepedia.org/chocolate-2005-film): Deep Dark Secrets* (as Roshan Abbas), *Khamoshh... Khauff Ki Raat*, and *[Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero](https://www.edgepedia.org/netaji-subhas-chandra-bose-the-forgotten-hero)* (as Prime Minister Tojo).[13](https://www.themoviedb.org/person/584888-kelly-dorji)
**The Don breakthrough.** His first Telugu film, *Don* (2007), opposite [Nagarjuna](https://www.edgepedia.org/nagarjuna), gave him the villainous part he said he had waited three years for. In a 2008 interview with IANS he said, "I just want to play negative roles. And right now I am focusing on villainous parts only." He described the language barrier on his first day: he was handed six pages of Telugu dialogue, which he could not memorize, so the crew halved it and he learned the rest.[3](https://www.indiaforums.com/article/kelly-dorjee-aspires-to-be-don-no-1_4489) • [14](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/im-without-love-kelly-dorji/articleshow/2816191.cms) The film was dubbed into Hindi as *Don No. 1*, with his character renamed Feroz.[15](https://hindi-dubbing.fandom.com/wiki/Kelly_Dorji)
He continued in Telugu and [Tamil cinema](https://www.edgepedia.org/tamil-cinema) through the 2010s, playing Sadhu Bhai in *Baadshah* (2013), Antonio Rosarius in [Mahesh Babu](https://www.edgepedia.org/mahesh-babu)'s *1: Nenokkadine* (2014), and Nayak in *Power* (2014), among other roles.[12](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1795256/) A study of Indian-Bhutanese cultural exchange notes that his career went beyond Hindi films into numerous Telugu and Tamil films and even a Kannada one.[16](https://www.cepeace.org/sites/default/files/pub/images/India-Bhutan%20with%20front%26back%20cover.pdf)
**Later work.** After his move to Bhutan he returned to the screen selectively: he played Mr. X in the 2024 Hindi film *Blackout*, and in 2025 he appeared as John Gupta in five episodes of the third season of the streaming series *Delhi Crime*.[12](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1795256/) In an August 2024 interview he said he was done playing negative parts and wanted more diverse roles for his comeback after a self-imposed hiatus, noting, "I know I am typecast, I can't help this... I am this villain, Kelly Dorji, the 'bad guy'."[4](https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/want-to-explore-different-roles-mother-fed-up-of-watching-me-play-villain-kelly-dorji-101723447602450.html)
## Life in Bhutan
Dorji moved back to Thimphu about a decade before 2024 to establish several businesses, including a travel company, Terton Travel Bhutan, an art gallery, and a gastro pub in the capital.[4](https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/want-to-explore-different-roles-mother-fed-up-of-watching-me-play-villain-kelly-dorji-101723447602450.html) • [2](https://www.telegraphindia.com/culture/former-model-and-actor-kelly-dorji-on-writing-a-book-and-living-the-slow-life-in-bhutan/cid/1737182) The Queen Mother of Bhutan inducted him as co-director of the Mountain Echoes literary festival, held every August and renamed Bhutan Echoes; the 2024 edition featured about 70 speakers from over a dozen countries.[2](https://www.telegraphindia.com/culture/former-model-and-actor-kelly-dorji-on-writing-a-book-and-living-the-slow-life-in-bhutan/cid/1737182) • [4](https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/want-to-explore-different-roles-mother-fed-up-of-watching-me-play-villain-kelly-dorji-101723447602450.html)
In 2020 he published his first book, *The Hidden Rainbow*, which he wrote and illustrated over three years and described as "spiritual fiction," a foundation to the canons of Buddhism, ritual practices, and spiritual meaning.[2](https://www.telegraphindia.com/culture/former-model-and-actor-kelly-dorji-on-writing-a-book-and-living-the-slow-life-in-bhutan/cid/1737182) He has said he would like to make a film in Dzongkha, based on a story by his mother about a Bhutanese doctor working abroad who returns home.[2](https://www.telegraphindia.com/culture/former-model-and-actor-kelly-dorji-on-writing-a-book-and-living-the-slow-life-in-bhutan/cid/1737182)
## Personal life
Dorji was in a long relationship with actress and former Miss Universe Lara Dutta, whom he met at St. Xavier's College. In 2008, the *Hindustan Times* described the relationship as having lasted seven years, while a later TV9 Hindi retrospective put it at nine years.[17](https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/good-man-bad-man/story-aCQYPgq3DTtHqjgBySI4rM.html) • [9](https://www.tv9hindi.com/entertainment/south-cinema/kelly-dorji-now-bhutanese-actor-who-played-don-no-1-villain-dated-lara-dutta-for-9-years-3874927.html/amp) They separated before 2008, and he spoke publicly in that period about moving on from the split.[14](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/im-without-love-kelly-dorji/articleshow/2816191.cms) A 2020 interview referred to a wife in Thimphu.[2](https://www.telegraphindia.com/culture/former-model-and-actor-kelly-dorji-on-writing-a-book-and-living-the-slow-life-in-bhutan/cid/1737182)
## References
1. [Kelly Dorji, Whois](https://www.xwhos.com/person/kelly_dorji-whois.html)
2. [Former model and actor Kelly Dorji on writing a book and living the slow life in Bhutan, The Telegraph (19 January 2020)](https://www.telegraphindia.com/culture/former-model-and-actor-kelly-dorji-on-writing-a-book-and-living-the-slow-life-in-bhutan/cid/1737182)
3. [Kelly Dorjee aspires to be 'Don No. 1', India Forums / IANS (28 February 2008)](https://www.indiaforums.com/article/kelly-dorjee-aspires-to-be-don-no-1_4489)
4. [Want to explore different roles, mother fed up of watching me play villain: Kelly Dorji, Hindustan Times / PTI (12 August 2024)](https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/want-to-explore-different-roles-mother-fed-up-of-watching-me-play-villain-kelly-dorji-101723447602450.html)
5. [Kelly Dorji, Indian Film History](https://www.indianfilmhistory.com/actor/kelly-dorji)
6. [Kelly Dorji, Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/kelly_dorji)
7. [Kelly Dorji Biography, FilmiBeat](https://www.filmibeat.com/celebs/kelly-dorji/biography.html)
8. [Bhutan ready for Lara, The Telegraph](https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/bhutan-ready-for-lara/cid/823046)
9. [Don No 1 Villain: Kelly Dorji Now, TV9 Hindi](https://www.tv9hindi.com/entertainment/south-cinema/kelly-dorji-now-bhutanese-actor-who-played-don-no-1-villain-dated-lara-dutta-for-9-years-3874927.html/amp)
10. [Kelly Dorji, The Times of India (11 December 2002)](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/kelly-dorji/articleshow/30978287.cms)
11. [Misty city a lovely place to relax: Kelly, The Telegraph (13 October 2003)](https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/misty-city-a-lovely-place-to-relax-kelly/cid/1542441)
12. [Kelly Dorji, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1795256/)
13. [Kelly Dorji, The Movie Database (TMDB)](https://www.themoviedb.org/person/584888-kelly-dorji)
14. [I'm without love: Kelly Dorji, The Times of India (27 February 2008)](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/im-without-love-kelly-dorji/articleshow/2816191.cms)
15. [Kelly Dorji, Hindi Dubbing Wiki](https://hindi-dubbing.fandom.com/wiki/Kelly_Dorji)
16. [India-Bhutan: Going Beyond the Elephant and the Dragon, CEPCEA](https://www.cepeace.org/sites/default/files/pub/images/India-Bhutan%20with%20front%26back%20cover.pdf)
17. [Good man, bad man, Hindustan Times (27 August 2008)](https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/good-man-bad-man/story-aCQYPgq3DTtHqjgBySI4rM.html)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Screen people and creators › Screen actors of South Asia*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 17, 2026; Sep 30, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 12, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license