MUMBAI MIRROR (February 19, 2020)

Rinzing Denzongpa’s debut film, Squad, not only has an one-of-its-kind chopper chase, but we hear that it also boasts of some of the biggest explosions seen on screen. Nilesh Sahay, producer-director of the true blue action movie that also has a strong emotional patriotic core, reveals, “Rinzing’s introduction has 60 explosions going off in a 500-meter radius with him walking through even as 100 stunt men run and get blown up around him. It was one of the scariest stunts and I prepped all day along with Russian stunt coordinator Roman.”

On the other hand, the debutant was neither nervous nor anxious. “Rinzing didn’t flinch at all. He is a stud and made for action,” says the filmmaker. Talking about his entry sequence, the young actor says, “It was an epic moment. We had eight cameras rolling as I walked through the explosions that went off nonstop for about three minutes. It was spectacular!”

Talking about explosions, the filmmaker’s eyes light up. “Everyone knows how obsessed I am with explosions. My favourite from the film that I call ‘the mother of all bombs’ is where we used 800 liters of petrol along with three different high explosives,” he reveals, promising ‘an explosive treat for the audience’.

Talking about his experience of working with the filmmaker and a new action hero, Roman says, “Nilesh not only knows exactly what he wants, but also skilfully manages the entire team, whether it’s the Indian or Belarusian crew. Working with him is an honour for us all. Our stuntmen often work with pyrotechnics, and actors usually use doubles. But Rinzing insisted on doing it all by himself. I admire his courage. He trusted us with his safety even though he’s never worked with our team before. At the end of it, we got a wonderful sequence.” 

MUMBAI MIRROR (January 23, 2020)

Rinzing Denzongpa’s Squad, a true-blue action film directed by Nilesh Sahay, has been in the news for its mammoth scale of action. Moreover, the climax boasts of a modern day battle with 400 stunt men. Recently, John Abraham, who is a close friend of the director and an action superstar himself, saw the rushes and was all praise for the thrills mounted on a massive scale. Now, the film’s makers are topping the epic climax with a never-seen-before helicopter chase sequence. Involving three choppers, this portion was shot over four days.

While Rinzing did his own stunts, his leading lady Malvika Raaj, too, opted to do her action portions herself, instead of going for a body double. Moreover, she also co-piloted one of the choppers in the climax chase sequence.

Talking about the climax, Australian stunt coordinator Keir Beck (Mad Max: Fury Road, Danger Close) who’s behind the thrills of Squad, says, “It was a big sequence and extremely tough as the weather wasn’t the best. However, with eight cameras rolling, Nylo (as he calls director Nilesh Sahay) kept his cool, showing the composure of a seasoned international action film director. He even operated the camera in one of the helicopters. We got what we wanted and created another epic sequence for Squad.”

Nilesh adds, “I really wanted to do what people haven’t seen here, and like Michael Bay (creator of Transformers series), I’m a fan of practical effects. I feel it’s a dying art so I wanted to keep it all in camera than shoot in a green room. Squad is an emotional patriotic popcorn action film, with action on every beat.”

Having shot a considerable portion of his debut, including the thrills, Rinzing, son of veteran actor Danny Denzongpa admits, “It was really tough. We had to act while the helicopter was flying and doing stunts was like actually being in a chase.” In the same vein, his leading lady, Malvika adds, “I had to take flight simulation lessons for a month and did one run as a co-pilot. It was the best experience of my life.”

Squad, set to release this summer, is surely one of the most anticipated films this year.

Gearing up for debut with actioner, Danny Denzongpa's son Rinzing discusses finding mentor in action star John
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; January 11, 2020)

Among the debutants hoping to make a mark in Bollywood this year is veteran actor Danny Denzongpa's son Rinzing. The youngster hopes to find his footing as an action star with his maiden vehicle, Squad, which has been produced and directed by Nilesh Sahay. Since he counts John Abraham among his idols, Rinzing was elated to meet the action hero before facing the camera.

"When I met sir at his office, he encouraged me to work hard. He also told me to embrace my size and height. He is disciplined, and that has taken him where he is today," says the actor, adding that Abraham has since become a mentor figure to him. "When it comes to action, he gives 200 per cent. That inspires me. He recently saw some rushes of the film and loved them. It's amazing to be encouraged by an action star of his stature."

Stunt coordinator Keir Beck of Mad Max: Fury Road fame is among the seven action directors to have designed the stunts for the summer release. "It is an action film mounted on a big scale. We shot the climax recently, which involved 400 stuntmen. Rinzing has the perfect personality for an action hero as he has a striking presence," states Sahay.

MUMBAI MIRROR (October 26, 2019)

Mirror had earlier reported that Rinzing Denzongpa and director-producer Nilesh Sahay had gone to meet action star John Abraham, who is a close friend of Nilesh, to seek his blessings for their upcoming action entertainer, titled Squad. The film, which marks Rinzing's acting debut, has now completed its first schedule in Belarus and going by the accounts of the film's team present on the sets, the project boasts of some brechathtaking action sequences, choreographed by stunt co-ordinator Kier Beck, which has led the way along with stunt crew from six other countries.

Keir Beck, who is known for acclaimed Hollywood films like The Matrix and Mad Max Fury Road, is all praise for the recently-concluded schedule of Rinzing and Nilesh's action entertainer. Speaking from the sets of his next film, Beck recounted the momentous shoot for the climax of the Hindi film, “We had one of the biggest climax fights with 400 stuntmen. It was a modern-day battle, and not to give out too much from the film's script, but the toys that we were assigned for filming the sequence were amazing too."

He goes on to add, “There are very few times that one writes something on paper and it translates to the screen so accurately. Through all the hardships, we managed to achieve something special." The stunt director is extremely excited about the outcome but won't divulge any details.

Beck also praises his director. “Nilesh is extremely hyper in a very good way and motivated. I didn’t see him sit down for a second, often he would go with his megaphone curating 400 people to all their positions before the carnage, reminding me of a young Michael Bay,” he said.

On Rinzing, Beck said, "The boy has great screen presence and does action extremely well.”

Nilesh whose company also represents Beck in India, adds, “It was the best experience working with Kier who is a dear friend. I and a lot of other people are looking forward to working with him in India soon. The second schedule of Squad is all set to start on November 10."

The acting debut of Danny Denzongpa’s son takes off in Russia in July
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 2, 2019)

Mirror was the first to report that Danny Denzongpa’s son, Rinzing, will make his acting debut with the action-thriller Squad, which is a battle royale between Special Forces with a little girl at its centre. Soon after, it had emerged that Anita Raj’s niece, Malvika, has been romantically paired with Rinzing in the film. Now, we have learnt that the film, which is slated to go on the floors in July, will feature John Abraham in a special role.

“I have told John briefly that I want to have him in a cameo. I am in the process of writing his role and then discuss it with him. It’s a special part, and people will get to see him in a way that they haven’t before,” producer Nilesh Sahay told Mirror. John, who has just wrapped up shooting for his upcoming comedy, Pagalpanti, in London, added, “If Nilesh asks me to do a cameo, it will be very difficult for me to say no. I’ll do it, as simple as that.”

Mirror had earlier reported that Jyoti Kapur Das will be directing the film but now Nilesh has taken over the duty. John said that he is looking forward to seeing his friend make his directorial debut. “Nilesh is one of the few people in India who understand action. It’s an ambitious film, and we have been discussing details,” John stated, adding that he is also in talks for other scripts with Nilesh. “I am looking forward to work on an action film with him soon.”

Next up, Nilesh wants to adapt the Hollywood film, The Expendables, in Hindi sometime next year with John stepping into Sylvester Stallone’s shoes. “That’s a film meant to be made with John, but it’s on the backburner for now as casting an ensemble is a huge headache. I promise that the film will take off sometime next year,” he said.

Shooting for Rinzing’s debut, which is eyeing a 2020 release, kicks off in Russia. It will be followed by a Mumbai schedule. 

Malvika, Anita Raaj’s niece, pairs up with Danny Denzongpa’s son to play a sniper in an action-thriller; the Jyoti Kapur Das directorial rolls in April
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 26, 2019)

Veteran actor Anita Raj’s niece, Malvika Raaj, has been signed as the female lead opposite Danny Denzongpa’s son, Rinzing, in the action-thriller Squad which goes on the floors in April. Malvika was chosen for the role from among 30 hopefuls. This, however, is not her first stint in front of the camera. “I played the younger Kareena Kapoor in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham,” informs Malvika, adding, “The film will always be special as that’s when I realised I wanted to act.”

Talking about her character in the film which chronicles a battle royal between the Special Forces, Malvika informs that she is a sniper who goes by the name of Aria. “She’s very knowledgeable about weapons which is important to the storyline. There’s a lot of action and a little bit of romance with Rinzing,” she smiles.

Quiz her on her homework and the actress reveals that she has already started training with the action team, and will soon start training in special weapons.

Mirror had earlier reported (January 5) that producer Nilesh Sahay has got Jyoti Kapur Das on board as the director. She is among the very few women directors to step into a genre which has traditionally been a male bastion. Malvika is eager to start shooting with Jyoti. “I am glad that we are breaking from stereotypical thinking that a woman can’t direct an action film. These days there is no gender differentiation and I am pretty sure my director will nail it,” she avers.

Malvika goes on to reveal that the comfort level is high since she has known Rinzing for a while now. “We were in the same school and grew up in the same social circle. When we were young, we even attended each other’s birthday parties so now sharing the screen with him is going to be a lot of fun,” she smiles.

Finally, how did her aunt, Anita Raaj, react to the news of Malvika following in her footsteps into a lead role? “She knows Rinzing better than I do as he shares a great bond with her son. My aunt has always been very supportive and it will be interesting for her to see both Rinzing and me in the same film,” she says.

Squad will take off on the sets in Mumbai in April, followed by a prolonged schedule in Budapest. The action will be designed by Kier Beck of Mad Max: Fury Road fame.

Kier Beck will choreograph seven stunt teams from different countries for the thriller
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 7, 2019)

Mirror had earlier (January 5) reported that Jyoti Kapur Das will make her directorial debut with an action thriller Squad, which will launch Danny Denzongpa’s son, Rinzing. Now we have learnt that producer Nilesh Sahay has recruited Kier Beck as the head stunt coordinator. Beck has earlier worked on Hollywood films, including the Matrix franchise, Casino Royale from the Bond series and the Oscar-winning Mad Max: Fury Road. He will choreograph stunt teams from Germany, Croatia, Australia, Poland and London.

Explaining the need to have several action experts, Nilesh explains that Squad has some death-defying stunts and they didn’t want to compromise on safety. “Beck is a globally renowned stunt rigger and under him, the seven stunt teams, who are masters of different forms of martial arts, will design the action scenes,” he informs, adding that from hand-to-hand combats to chases and gun-blazing sequences, the film will be an action fest. He also wants an Indian stunt team but has still to lock one.

Beck, for whom Bollywood is a completely new ball game, revealed that he has wanted to work in the country for a long time. “I love the fact that in Indian films the action compliments the story. I’m looking forward to working with Nylo (Nilesh) who has an indepth understanding of action,” he stated. Squad, which is set in Budapest, will showcase a battle between the different special forces. The film rolls in April.

Rinzing Denzongpa will be introduced with an emotional action thriller, which has a child at its centre and rolls in April 2019
Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 10, 2018)

In the new year another star son will emerge on the big screen. Danny Denzongpa’s son Rinzing is set to make his acting debut with an action film titled Squad, a battle royale between special forces with a little girl at its centre, which is scheduled to go on the floors in April 2019.

Danny confirms the news, saying, “I’m happy that Rinzing has finally zeroed in on a script and a part that he is excited to portray. It is a proud moment for the family and me to see him start his career without any help from me. Filmmaking is a constant struggle to achieve higher standards and actors are just a small part of the process. However, it’s the struggle and hard work that helps bring awareness and experience to the artiste. I hope Rinzing discovers new aspects of himself in this process and finds fulfilment in the line of work he has chosen.”

When quizzed on the project, the 70-year-old actor, last seen in Bioscopewala, admits that he has gone through the script. “It is a nice action thriller with a lot of subtle humour and a healthy dose of emotional moments. I met Nilesh (Sahay, producer, veteran actress Zaheeda’s son) recently when I was in Mumbai. He is a well-informed and sharp young man. And since he is from the film fraternity, he knows the industry well and I’m sure he will come out with a sensible commercial product,” Danny asserts.

Nilesh, who is also the producer-director of the Hindi version of the Hollywood action-franchise, The Expendables, promises that Squad, the emotional journey of Rinzing, his leading lady and the child, will be one of the biggest action films of next year. He has yet to lock on the director and the leading lady but is all pumped up about his hero. Pointing out that action as a genre requires physical attributes to sell, he believes Rinzing has tons of it. “I was blown away by his presence during our first meeting itself. He’s going to be one of the biggest action stars in the coming years and will bridge the gap between India and the West with respect to male action heroes. He is India’s answer to Dwayne Johnson,” the filmmaker states confidently.

The man in question adds that while he has been approached for many films, his true love has always been action. “When I read this script, I was blown away by its scale and size. It’s a dream launch. Nilesh, who runs a successful action portal, represents most of the international talent in India and has a VFX company which will handle the visual effects, is the man for this genre. I’m super excited!” exclaims Rinzing, who towers at sixfoot-four-inches and is currently training twice a day for two hours. “That will increase when I start on fight choreography and flexibility training. I also leave for a special task forces programme soon,” he informs.

Prod Danny, who had come down from Sikkim five decades ago to carve his own niche in Hindi cinema, on what sets Rinzing apart from the crowd, and he says, “For a parent, his child is always special. But it is the audience who will decide whether an actor has anything special to offer and that perception is influenced by his skills, personality and most importantly, how he conducts himself in life. I hope Rinzing will strive to live the best version of himself, both on and off camera, and create a space for himself.”