Standing tall with rippling muscles, wrestler-actor Dara Singh was a name to reckon with in the world of wrestling who ventured into an unusual territory — films.
The actor will always be remembered for his variety of roles in cinema and on the small screen, the most memorable being that of Hanuman in the iconic show Ramayan. Apart from making a name for himself in professional wrestling, Singh also acted in a number of Punjabi and Hindi films.
Born in a Jat Sikh family to Balwant Kaur and Surat Singh Randhawa in November 1928 in the village Dharmuchak of Amritsar district in Punjab, Singh was trained in an Indian style of wrestling, Pehlwani.
Apart from wrestling in tournaments, he wrestled on invitation of kings of Indian princely states in fairs and carnivals.
In the world of wrestling, he competed against some of the greatest names like King Kong (Australia), George Gordienko (Canada), John Desilva (New Zealand) and others.
Singh won the title of “Rustam-E-Punjab” and “Rustam-e-Hind” for his wrestling prowess. Also, he became the Commonwealth Champion in 1959 and he was inducted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame in 1996.
Singh included over 500 professional fights to his credit, all undefeated.
The Commonwealth wrestling champion then turned towards showbiz in 1952 with Sangdil. He retired from wrestling in 1983.
He went on to star in many films later on, including King Kong (1962), Faulad (1963), Darasingh: Ironman (1964), Daku Mangal Singh (1966) and Warrant (1975).
Singh also made special appearances in films like Mera Naam Joker (1970), Ajooba (1991), Dillagi (1999) and Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003). He was last seen playing Kareena Kapoor’s grandfather in Jab We Met (2007).
But it was the iconic TV series Ramayan (1986) which made Singh a household name. He worked in some television shows, including Had Kar Di and Kya Hoga Nimmo Ka.
Filmmaker Manmohan Desai paid Singh an unusual compliment when he signed him for Mard.
“Amitabh Bachchan is playing the title role of Mard. I was wondering who could be his father... If Amitabh plays ‘Mard’, then his father can be Dara Singh only. This is why I took Dara Singh in the film,” Desai had said.
One of his notable friends was actress Mumtaz, with whom he starred in 16 Hindi films including Faulad (1963), Veer Bhimsen (1964), Hercules (1964), Aandhi Aur Toofan (1964), Tarzan Comes to Delhi, Tarzan and King Kong (1965), Sikandar-e-Azam (1965), Rustom-E-Hind (1965).
Besides acting, he produced and directed Punjabi films.
He was a member of Rajya Sabha from Bhartiya Janata Party during August 2003 to August 2009.
From his first marriage, he has a son Parduman Singh Randhawa and from his second marriage he has five children — two sons and three daughters including TV and film actor Vidhu Dara Singh.
Keywords: Dara Singh death, Commonwealth wrestling champion, Hanuman role, Ramayan TV series, King Kong, Faulad, Jab We Met
May God give eternal peace to his soul. What a celebrated life and what a person. One in a Billion indeed. We need some more MEN like him.
The role of Hanuman was immortalised by this great actor, one of the
first Superstars of India, before even such a term became common
usage. While today's generation is wowed by perfect bodies and 6 pack
abs and actors of this age strive to achieve these through mindless
exercise, protein shakes and celebrity trainers, Dara Singh was a case
of straight from the akhara, a true son of the soil. One can only
imagine the toil, sacrifices and hard work he had to go through. The
only parallel that comes to mind is Arnold Schwarzenegger, the body
builder turned actor. The other actor who followed on his lines was
Dharmendra, who was also a Punjabi. For the younger generation his
roles in 'Jab we Met' and 'Kal Ho Na Ho' were well appreciated. The
way he sang 'I am crazy about you girl' to Sushma Seth in the song
'Pretty women' was lovely to say the least. Now a question that comes
to mind is have we have given great actors of an earlier generation
the recognition they deserved?
This is an uncoverable loss for not only Indian cinema but also for many Indians. He will always remember as Muscle man, Tarzan, King of Ring and HANUMAN.
May his soul rest in peace.
Vipul Shah
We lost good person Dara Singh. His action as HANUMAN still recalling my childhood days. May his soul rest in peace.
This mortal world have to survive in agony after shocking demise of such a great legend. An unrecoverable loss .............:(
My his soul rest in peace!
hearty condolence to the family members of the great DARA SINGH .let the departed soul rest in piece .as said by our paper he will be remembered ever his HANUMAN role in ramayan serial .thinging Dara singh will bring his well build body as well as pleasing face which is rare for a wrestler
Dara Singh inspired several generations of Indians. A worthy successor to Gama, he showed that Indians too can be no less than others when it comes to fitness, physique, and physical strength. His role as a pehilwan in Anand is still memorable. My heartfelt condolence to his near ones. May God bless his soul.
And he was a true gentleman in every sense..
May your soul rest in peace & thank you for your ever so powerful
performances. A sad day indeed to see the legend pass away...each time I
witness death of an individual to whom I could relate to, it reminds me
of the beautiful life we have and the strength and exuberance we have
now. Let's live for we know even this shall pass away...!
Dara singh is a house hold name in India for wrestling. He lived it out and endeared to masses through films and serials. He has had a full life.May his soul rest in peace. There is hardly any one to replace him!
what a sad loss :( rip the original superhero.
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