Danny Denzongpa: The Bollywood Star Who Outsmarted Vijay Mallya in the Beer Business Vijay Mallya is celebrated for reshaping India’s beer market. Before United Breweries’ transformative impact, beer wasn’t a popular beverage in the country. Today, with over 450 million beer cases sold annually, his role in creating a thriving beer culture is undeniable. Mallya’s ability to outpace competitors allowed him to dominate the Indian beer industry. However, in one market, he faced a rare defeat—and surprisingly, his challenger was none other than Bollywood actor Danny Denzongpa. Danny Denzongpa’s Brewing

Success Born in Sikkim in 1948, Danny Denzongpa began his film career in 1971 with Zaroorat. Over the years, he became a prominent figure in Indian cinema, starring in hits like Ghatak, Agneepath, Khuda Gawah, and China Gate. Yet, Danny’s ambitions extended beyond acting. In 1987, he ventured into the beer industry, establishing Yuksom Breweries in his home state of Sikkim.Named after his hometown, Yuksom Breweries marked the beginning of his entrepreneurial journey.In 2005, Danny expanded his business by founding Denzong Breweries in Odisha.Four years later, he acquired Rhino Agencies, a brewery in Assam.

According to the company’s website, Yuksom Breweries has an annual production capacity of 6.8 lakh hectoliters, making it the third-largest Indian beer company after Kingfisher and Kimaya.

The rest of the leading beer brands in India, such as Hoegaarden, Budweiser, and Carlsberg, are all international. The Clash with Vijay Mallya By 2009, the Indian beer market was experiencing rapid growth, and the Northeast emerged as a lucrative untapped region. Vijay Mallya’s United Breweries dominated most of the country, but it hadn’t established a presence in the northeastern states.

Mallya set his sights on Assam’s Rhino Agencies as a gateway to the region.

Danny, however, had his own vision for the Northeast. Determined to solidify Yuksom Breweries’ dominance, he acted swiftly. Reports suggest that upon hearing of Mallya’s plans, Danny preemptively acquired Rhino Agencies, securing his position in the region. This strategic move kept United Breweries out of the Northeast, a significant victory for Danny and a rare setback for Mallya. Danny’s Focus on Business and Selective

Acting In recent years, Danny has taken on fewer acting projects, focusing more on his business ventures. However, he has continued to appear in notable films, including Baby and its spin-off Naam Shabana. His latest screen presence was a cameo in Uunchai (2022), alongside Amitabh Bachchan, Anupam Kher, and Boman Irani. Danny Denzongpa’s story is a testament to his versatility, strategic foresight, and ability to excel across industries. His success in challenging an industry giant like Vijay Mallya showcases his acumen as a businessman and his determination to make his mark beyond Bollywood.