Dalai Lama and Brad Pitt’s connection: THIS movie links the spiritual leader and the ‘F1’ star

The Dalai Lama made history this year by winning a Grammy Award in the best audiobook category. He scored the award for ‘Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.’ While many people have been rejoicing about the matter, many have started wondering about the Dalai Lama’s connection to Hollywood.

Many have also been wondering how he and the famed actor Brad Pitt are connected. Here’s all you need to know.

How the Dalai Lama and Brad Pitt are connected

Their connection dates back to 1997 and comes from a controversial feature film that involved the story of the 14th Dalai Lama’s mentor. Titled ‘Seven Years in Tibet’, the film was created after being inspired by Austrian mountaineer Heinrich Harrer's 1952 memoir. The story followed his endeavors as he spent almost 7 years living in Tibet at the time of the Second World War, until the Chinese Occupation sent him away.

It further chronicled Heinrich and Peter Aufschnaiter's mountaineering journey in India in the 1930s. The biographical movie was directed by none other than Jean-Jacques Annaud, with Pitt starring in the leading role.

More about the story of ‘Seven Years in Tibet’

The story follows their life as they end up in a British prisoner of war camp during the world war. Later on, in 1944, they made their escape and crossed the border over to Tibet from India. Initially, they were asked by the authorities to return to the country; however, later on, they were welcomed to live in Llhasa.

This is where Heinrich meets the 14th Dalai Lama and later becomes his mentor. He goes on to form a close bond with the Dalai Lama and tutors him in subjects like world geography, science, and Western culture. Brad Pitt played the leading role of Heinrich Harrer, while Jamyang Jamtsho Wangchuk played the 14-year-old Dalai Lama. Sonam Wangchuk was cast as the 8-year-old version, while Dorjee Tsering played the 4-year-old version of the Dalai Lama.

Cast of ‘Seven Years in Tibet’

The 1997 American biographical war drama starred a lot of other big names along with Brad Pitt in the leading role. Actor David Thewlis, who is best known for playing the role of Remus Lupin in the ‘Harry Potter’ franchise, co-starred in the film and portrayed Peter Aufschnaiter. Other than him, BD Wong, Mako, Danny Denzongpa, Victor Wong, Ingeborga Dapkūnaitė, Lhakpa Tsamchoe, and many others were cast in the side roles.

The Dalai Lama’s Grammy win

Spiritual leader Dalai Lama made history as he won a Grammy at the 2026 event. The 90-year-old officially won the title in the Best Audiobook, Narration, and Storytelling Recording category. His audiobook, titled ‘Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’, garnered a lot of praise for its themes on compassion and peace. While American singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright accepted the award on his behalf, The Dalai Lama took to his social media handle to acknowledge the win and express his gratitude.In his post, he shared, “I receive this recognition with gratitude and humility. I don’t see it as something personal, but as a recognition of our shared universal responsibility. I truly believe that peace, compassion, care for our environment, and an understanding of the oneness of humanity are essential for the collective well-being of all eight billion human beings. I’m grateful that this Grammy recognition can help spread these messages more widely.

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