Dara Singh, a towering figure in Indian cinema and wrestling, carved a legendary path as an undefeated wrestler and versatile actor. Known for his portrayal of Lord Hanuman in Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan and his pioneering role in shaping Bollywood’s action genre, Singh remains a revered icon. From humble beginnings in British Punjab to becoming a Rajya Sabha member and founding his own film studio, his life is a testament to perseverance and multifaceted talent. Let’s delve into the life and achievements of Dara Singh, the Rustam-E-Punjab who left an indelible mark on Indian entertainment and sports history.
Born Name: Deedar Singh Randhawa
Nick Name: Dara Singh, Rustam-E-Punjab, Rustam-E-Hind, Ironman of Indian cinema
Age: Born on November 19, 1928; died at the age of 83 on July 12, 2012
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Born Place: Dharmu Chak (now Amritsar district), British Punjab
Nationality: Indian
Education: Self-educated in his village of Dharmuchak
Occupation: Wrestler and Actor
Height: 6 ft 2 in or 188 cm
Weight: 127 kg or 280 pounds (During his active wrestling career)
Spouse: Married twice; first to Shrimati Surjit Kaur Randhawa in 1961, and later had 1 son Parduman Singh Randhawa. From his second marriage, he had 5 children including Vindu Dara Singh, a prominent film and TV actor.
Hair Color: Salt and Pepper
Eye Color: Black
Measurements: Chest measuring 50 inches
Religion: Sikhism
Best Known For:
- Portraying the role of Hanuman in Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan, a TV series that aired in the late 1980s.
- Undefeated wrestling career from 1964 to 1983.
First Film: 1952 film Sangdil
Facts About Dara Singh:
- Known as the first action king of Bollywood.
- Wrestled about 500 bouts and remained undefeated throughout his career.
- Founded Dara Pictures in 1970 and owned Dara Studio in Mohali, Punjab.
- Started the trend of displaying 8-pack abs in Indian cinema.
- Directed 5 movies, produced 2, and acted in 144 films from 1952 to 2012.
- Shared a close friendship with his wrestling rival King Kong.
- Trained his younger brother Randhawa in professional wrestling.
- Became the Champion of Malaysia in 1947.
- Won a tournament in Delhi in June 1983, marking his retirement from wrestling.
- Passed away due to cerebral hemorrhage and cardiac arrest, cremated at Juhu crematorium in Mumbai.
- Honored posthumously when a child in Dharmuchak was named Dara in tribute.
- Inspired actors like Akshay Kumar, who referred to him as Hanuman and the original action hero.
Legacy: Dara Singh remains an iconic figure in Indian cinema and wrestling, celebrated for his indomitable spirit, cinematic contributions, and enduring influence on subsequent generations of actors and wrestlers alike.