Kelly Dorji Wiki, Age, Wife, Children, Family, Biography & More

Kelly Dorji is a Bhutanese actor, model, and artist who predominantly appears in Indian films. He is best known for his role as the main antagonist in the film Tango Charlie (2005).

Wiki/Biography

Kelly Dorji was born Kalden “Kelly” Sonam Dorji on Monday, 4 January 1971 (age 53; as of 2024) in Thimphu, Thimphu District, Bhutan. His zodiac sign is Capricorn. He is a descendant of the Sikkim Royal Family and a member of Bhutan’s Dorji Family. Kelly studied at St. Paul’s School in Darjeeling and Sherubtse College in eastern Bhutan. He pursued a degree in history at St. Xavier’s College in Mumbai and graduated with honors.

Physical Appearance

Height (approx.): 5′ 10″

Weight (approx.): 78kg

Hair Colour: Black

Eye Colour: Black

Family

Kelly Dorji belongs to a Royal Bhutanese family and is a descendant of the Sikkim Royal Family.

Parents & Siblings

Lynpo Paljor Dorji, Kelly’s father, often known as Dasho Benji, is the permanent advisor to Bhutan’s National Environment Commission. His mother is Louise Dorji, a children’s book author and founding member of the Bhutan Broadcasting Service (BBS).

Wife & Children

Kelly got married in a private ceremony in 2019 to a model named Maya.

Relationships/Affairs

Dorji dated Bollywood actress Lara Dutta for 9 years before the couple split up in 2007. After their separation, Kelly met Maya, who is a model, and tied the knot in a private ceremony with her in 2019 in Bhutan.

Religion/Religious Views

Kelly grew up practicing Buddhism and believes in the spiritual comfort it offers.

Career

Modeling & Television

Kelly Dorji rose to fame in India as a fashion model in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He has worked as a runway model in India for popular designers such as Shahab Durazi, JJ Valaya, Arun Khanna, Rohit Bal, and Tarun Tahiliani. He has also worked as a print model in London for Models Out of Town. Dorji co-hosted the English television show ‘Star Biz’ for Star TV, alongside co-anchor Lisa Ray.

Film

Kelly Dorji has appeared in nearly 30 films during his career. In 2005, he made his acting debut in Mani Shankar’s Tango Charlie as the major antagonist opposite Ajay Devgan and Bobby Deol.

Throughout his career, he has appeared in numerous supporting and antagonist roles in films such as Khamosh- Khauff Ki Raat (2005), Chocolate (2005), Fareeb (2005), Ek Ajnabee (2005), Mukhbir (2008), Drona (2009), Lahore (2010), The Lost Gold Of Khan (2011), Rebel (2012), Power (2014) and many such more films.

Dorji came to the Telugu cinema business in 2008, where he achieved popularity for films such as the 2007 action hit Don also titled Don No. 1 in Hindi, in which he co-starred with Nagarjuna, and Ek Ka Dum, in which he co-starred with Mahesh Babu. Dorji’s Dzongkha film Sem Gawai Tasha, which was released in 2011, was also influential in increasing the popularity of Bhutanese films in his home nation.

Dorji is well-known for his film stunts, many of which he choreographed himself. He also created pageant scenes and assisted choreographer Lubna Adam. Kelly stopped his stunt work in films after a near-fatal biking accident in 2013, although he still acts.

Art

Kelly Dorji is a photographer and painter. Elsie Evans, Sidharth, and Karma Wangdi are among the artists he has interned with and learned the art of painting. He has also worked under Chien-Wien Lee, a popular fashion photographer, and studied photography under him. Kelly Dorji’s work is on display in the modern art gallery Gray Area in Thimphu, Bhutan.

Other Ventures

Kelly owns a luxury travel firm named Terton Travel Bhutan in Thimphu, Bhutan. He also has an art gallery of his own in Bhutan. Kelly is co-director of the Mountain Echoes Literary Festival. In 2020, he published his first book titled The Hidden Rainbow, which speaks about spirituality, Buddhism, and peace. It was a successful venture for him.

Social Work

Kelly is an advisor on the board of the Voluntary Artist’s Studio of Thimphu (VAST), which promotes the Bhutanese contemporary art industry more widely and on a broader platform. He is also a member of the Tarayana Foundation’s executive board and actively participates in social and welfare works.

Awards, Honours, Achievements

• MAA Cine award- Best Villain for Telegu film Don.

Facts/Trivia

•  Kelly Dorji’s grandfather was Bhutanese Prime Minister Jigme Palden Dorji.

• Kelly has been elected as the Global Indian Ambassador for the Arts in Bhutan.

• Kelly is an ardent motocross rider who participates in charity rides with the motorcycle club called Tarayana Dragons.