In conversation with the reel Dalai Lama, Tenzin Dalha

By Tenzin Monlam

‘I am just a simple Buddhist monk’ is his answer, while the world sees him as a champion of peace and an international icon.

Only a few have been fortunate to be in the shoes of His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama, in reel life. Tenzin Dalha became the latest actor to play the Tibetan spiritual leader on camera with his role as Kundun in the docudrama on Dalai Lama’s escape from Tibet, telecast as a part of EPIC Channel’s mini-series ‘The Great Escape’. The second part of the series will be telecast on Friday at 10 pm (IST) on Epic Channel.

Born and brought up in Delhi, the seed of acting was sown during his years at Tagore International School, where he was an active member of the school theatre. Currently pursuing a Masters degree in Peace building and Conflict Analysis at Jamia Millia Islamia in New Delhi, Dalha shot to limelight when he appeared in Kalki Koechlin starrer ‘Margarita With A Straw. He has also acted in a TV commercial for Rajasthan tourism.

A theatre artist to the core, he has become a household name in the Tibetan community. For him, acting is now a passion as well as profession.

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Phayul: Congratulation for your portrayal of the Dalai Lama in ‘The Great Escape’. How did you bag the role?

Tenzin Dalha: It just happened. Everybody knew the about the auditions taking place in Dharamshala, Delhi and Mumbai. I was one of the many auditioning for the character. Fortunately, the wonderful director of the mini-series, Nidhi Tuli, found me perfect for the character and then one thing led to another.

Phayul: Since you were chosen to play the role of a 22-year-old Dalai Lama, which is a daunting task, how did you prepare to get into the character?

TD: The fact that I, too, am a 22-year-old worked for me. In order to prepare for the role I read the autobiography of The Dalai Lama, ‘My Land, My People’.

I kept referring to books back and forth while working on the script to find a common path. I only had nine days to prepare for the character, so it was a huge challenge.

Since you can’t find too many videos of a young Dalai Lama escaping Tibet, I constantly referred to old BBC videos to capture the character’s style of walking and mannerism.

People from that time helped me a lot giving insights on the era. The perception and the image we have of a young Dalai Lama is mostly through the historical narratives of the older generation.

I feel fortunate and blessed to play a 22-year-old Dalai Lama. More than a challenge, portraying him on screen was a big responsibility.

Phayul: While playing this larger-than-life personality on screen, did you feel any pressure to do justice to the role?

TD: We have to consider the fact that His Holiness at the age of 22 was not well-known face of the world. There were a lot of instincts in the Dalai Lama as well, regardless of his position. So my first objective was to tap into those emotions. Moreover, I had to think of the character, not the Dalai Lama that we know of right now, but the person he would have been at a young age.

As for the pressure, the chemistry between the cast and the director was great, which proved helpful. Since everyone knew the importance of the project, there was a lot of positive energy on the sets.

Adding to the chemistry, I have known Lobsang Yeshi, who played Lord Chamberlain, Phala, since I was little. So the harmony between us was already worked upon.

Phayul: This is the first time you have worked with Tibetans. How different was it from your previous projects like Margarita with a Straw or the Rajasthan tourism advertisement?

TD: We were in an isolated area in Kaza, which was perfect to showcase a pre-China occupied Tibet. The main difference was in the size of the project. I feel there is a massive pool of talent in the Tibetan diaspora, especially in the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA).

Besides Tibetan Opera, Jamyang from TIPA had never acted in front of the camera before. We shared a great comfort level on screen. He is a fabulous actor.

Phayul: The Dalai Lama has been earlier portrayed on silver screen in Kundun and Seven Years in Tibet. Did you take any tips from actors who have earlier portrayed him on screen? How different was your project?

TD: I took a lot of reference from Kundun but we have to consider the fact that it was not a commercially successful project of Martin Scorsese, rather a cinematographic marvel. Since our project has been made for the Indian audience, it had to be distinct from previous such projects.

Phayul: If we look at the cast, most of them are amateurs. You were one of the few actors who had faced the camera earlier. Did you guide them during the shoot?

TD: I still consider myself as an amateur. I am still learning. However, I think it is a team game like football where everybody works for a common goal. So we have to help each other or push each other.

You may be having the worst day but when you are in front of the camera, you have to be somebody else. It is the chemistry between the actors and the director, which helps you deliver the best. The mini-series was a perfectly combined team effort.

Phayul: How long was the duration of the shooting? Do you have any projects in the pipeline?

TD: The shooting lasted 15 days. For my next project, I am working with one of Bollywood’s finest artists. It will be out soon.

Phayul: Going back to your roots. Has acting in movies or docudrama changed your love for theatre?

TD: Never. I know from where I began and the theatre laid the foundation of my field. Regardless of wherever I go, my approach towards any project would be from the theatre.

Phayul would like to thank you for the time and wishes you all the success in your future endeavors.