Wrestling Icon-Actor Dara Singh Dies at 84


Wrestling Icon-Actor Dara Singh Dies at 84

Mumbai, Jul 12 (IBNS): India's iconic wrestler turned actor Dara Singh, who entertained audience with his acting skills and brawn for over nearly five decades and played the Hanuman in epic teleserial Ramayanan, died on Thursday morning. He was 84.

The end came at home after his family decided to take him back from the hospital to his residence in Juhu, doctors said.

Family physician R K Agarwal said he died surrounded by his family.

He might be cremated at around 2 pm, said the doctor.

The actor who made his entry in Bollywood in 1960s was on ventilator for the past days in Mumbai's Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital where he was admitted on July 7 after a cardiac arrest.

Dara Singh, who played every role from hero to the large-hearted grandfather in his last film Jab We Met starring Kareena Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor, was an iconic figure in Indian celluloid and he was truly the original He-man of Bollywood.

His on screen pairing with Mumtaz in the 1960s led to several entertaining films of that era.

Singh, who was born in 1928 in Dharmoochak in Amritsar district of Punjab and was encouraged in wrestling due to his strong physique.

He had a glorious career in professional wrestling besides showcasing his acting talent on the silver screen.
 
Singh was popular in wrestling tournaments in the country.

He also wrestled on invitation of kings of Indian princely states and wrestled frequently in haats and melas (fairs and carnivals).

Singh successfully competed against some of the greatest names in the world of wrestling and professional wrestlers in the United States.

Dara went to Singapore in 1947 and became the Champion of Malaysia in Indian style wrestling by defeating Tarlok Singh in Kuala Lumpur.

He has toured almost all far-east countries as a Professional Wrestler. Dara Singh returned to India in 1952 and became the Indian Champion in 1954.

The strong wrestler toured all Commonwealth countries and defeated Oriental Champion King Kong, George Gordienko (Canada), John Desilva (New Zealand). Singh became the Commonwealth Champion in 1959.

He defeated Lou Thesz of America and became Champion of the World on May 29, 1968.

He again visited countries world-wide and defended title of the World Champion.

Singh retired from the world of wrestling in 1983 as an undefeated wrestler.

Interestingly several Indian Prime Ministers including Jawaharlal Nehru, Chaudhary Charan Singh, Morarji Desai, Chandrashekhar, Rajiv Gandhi. visited his fights.

However, Singh not only captivated his fans with his wrestling moves in the arena but also charmed them with his performance as an actor.

Popularly called as Bollywood’s he-man of the  1960s, he acted opposite  yesteryear's actresses like Mumtaz .
 
He became quite popular as an actor in the 1960s and was seen in films like King Kong, which were inspired by Hollywood movies.

He was nominated member of Rajya Sabha by Bhartiya Janata Party during Aug 2003 – Aug 2009.

Singh had a successful career in television also and was a popular face in many of the TV serials since the 1980s.

But with the role of Hanuman in Ramayan on TV, he reached every household.

His films in the 1960s included titles like Toofan (1969), Jawan Mard (1966), Thakur Jarnail Singh (1966), Boxer (1965), Hum Sab Ustad Hain (1965), Khakaan (1965), Lutera (1965), Mahabharat (1965, played Bheem), Raaka (1965), Rustom-E-Hind (1965), Sher Dil (1965), Sikandar E Azam (1965) , Tarzan and King Kong (1965), Tarzan Comes to Delhi (1965), Teen Sardar (1965), Aandhi Aur Toofan (1964), Aaya Toofan (1964), Badshah (1964), Darasingh: Ironman (1964), Dara Singh Hercules (1964), Samson (1964), Veer Bhimsen (1964), Faulad (1963), Rustom-E-Baghdad (1963) and King Kong (1962).

  

Top Stories

Comment on this article

  • Ronald D.F.D'souza, Mangalore/Bahrain

    Fri, Jul 13 2012

    Very sad to hear the demise of Rustom-E-Hind Dara Singh. It was the year 1964, I met Dara Singh at Hotel Annella (Opp. Catholic Club) Hampankatta along with Free style Wrestler Baldy King Kong and Wadi Ayaub from Egypt. Those days Hampankatta, Mangalore was quiet place with no police squad. The free style wrestling was held at central Maidan ( Now Nehru Maidan). Then daily news paper "Nava Bharatha" gave wide publicity about the legend wrestler and actor. Since i have seen personally, i respect my sincere condolences to his family and i pray may his soul rest in peace. Ronald

    DisAgree [1] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dinoo, Mangalore

    Thu, Jul 12 2012

    My childhood Super Hero...
    R.I.P.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Inderjeet Singh Riar, Panjab/ California

    Thu, Jul 12 2012

    He was my favourite wrestler. May God bless his soul.
    Sincere condolences to all of his family. Remembered with fond memories

    DisAgree [1] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • J.F.D'SOUZA, ATTAVAR,MANGALORE

    Thu, Jul 12 2012

    What a freestyle wrestler Dara Singh. When I was studying in Milagres high school, the entire team of wrestlers came for a show and stayed in Hotel Annella. We used to go to this hotel and waiting to see eagerly Dara singh, wadi ayub and others. They used to
    wave hands through windows. The wrestling taken place at Central maidan. Afterwards he started acting in hindi films most of them consisting free style wrestling and i used to see and enjoy his movies.
    Afterwards he started acting in serials. Really a good actor and wrestler entertained the mass to the greater extent.May DARAJIS soul rest in peace.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • G R PRABHU, BEJAI ,MANGALORE

    Thu, Jul 12 2012

    Still i remember the day long long years back when he came to fight with Mr King kong,at central maidan,Mangalore. GREAT PERSONALITY.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sunilraj, Udupi

    Thu, Jul 12 2012

    " MAY GOD his soul rest in peace'

    EVEN I ALSO KNOWN HIM AS HANUMAN..'REALLY HERATBREAKING ACTING AS HANUMAN IN RAMAYANA TELE SEREAL' AND ALSO HE WAS GOOD HUMAN BEINGS IN RAL LIFE..

    DisAgree [2] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • paul d`souza, balakunje

    Thu, Jul 12 2012

    I was a fan of dara singh because not he is a good wrestler, because he was a good human. May his soul rest in peace. We always miss you & love you.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • shalini salian, mangalore

    Thu, Jul 12 2012

    RIP King Kong Dara Singh. His roles as Lord Hanuman is immortal.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • Krishnaraj, Mangalore

    Thu, Jul 12 2012

    Shocked by the news.. Although he was a world champion in wrestling, he is more popularly known and remembered as a HANUMAN.. very very good role he has performed in Ramayana which no one can forget... May his Soul Rest in Peace.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vinayak, Mangalore / Dubai

    Thu, Jul 12 2012

    He was a great man... an undefeated wrestler..May his soul rest in peace

    DisAgree [2] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • HENRY MISQUITH, BAHRAIN

    Thu, Jul 12 2012

    India lacks the days of the wrestlers Dara singh and kingkong and all those of his kind who inspired admiration.
    Dara singh gave super heroine Mumtaz her first big break as a female lead in bollywood. They have done 16 movies together.
    RIP Dara....

    DisAgree [2] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • ganesh, dubai

    Thu, Jul 12 2012

    MY DEEPEST CONDOLONCES TO THE FAMILY OF SHRI DARASINGH GOOD ACTOR. JAI SHRI HANUMAN.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • U.M.SHETYY, BANGALORE

    Thu, Jul 12 2012

    may Dhara Sings Soul rest in peace ... He is remembered by all

    DisAgree [2] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Shankarnarayanan Aiyar T.A.S, Mangalore/Ramewshwaram

    Thu, Jul 12 2012

    Mr.Brian sunny lara, bangalore

    Dara Singh is not a good actor but good Wrestler better than people in WWF and WWE. Rustam-E-Hind.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • sunny lara, bangalore

    Thu, Jul 12 2012

    very ssd news when i heard news in TV....great actor,movie MARD what a dialogue

    DisAgree [3] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ravish Pinto, Kateel/Dubai

    Thu, Jul 12 2012

    First time in the history of Daijiworld "Mr.nagesh nayak, bangalore" commented a comment where he didnt bring politics i thought he will bring BJP since Dara Singh was Rajyasabha member nominated by BJP.Any ways Nages sir well done.Reader like me need transferency in a comment which i found taday.Really appriciated.
    yes darasingh u r a good sport man,but u will remain in our Hear as "Hanumantha"
    May His soul rest in peace.
    Thanks Daiji.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • R.Bhandarkar., M

    Thu, Jul 12 2012

    Dear Aiyar Sir
    Good 'humans' will fit anywhere. For that the main criteria is one must not 'act'and strictly. Hard to find those belonging to the ilk nowadys. May Daraji's soul rest in peace.
    'Dara Kyaa Maara' the echo will 'goonj' forever.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • Louis, Kuwait

    Thu, Jul 12 2012

    May his soul rest in peace. Wpnderful man. We know him since he defeated King kom in wrestling. Did Hanuman roll in Ramayana serial.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [21] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sanjeev Kamath, Udupi / Bahrain

    Thu, Jul 12 2012

    Like Lord Hanuman, you are eternal in our hearts.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [21] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ramdas, Mangalore

    Thu, Jul 12 2012

    U r always remembered as Hanuman. May ur soul rest in peace.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [21] Reply Report Abuse

  • ISMAIL.K.PERINJE, PERINJE-YANBU/KSA

    Thu, Jul 12 2012

    May his soul rest in peace..

    DisAgree [1] Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • nagesh nayak, bangalore

    Thu, Jul 12 2012

    MY DEEPEST CONDOLONCES TO THE FAMILY OF SHRI DARASINGH.

    WE HAVE LOST A GOOD ACTOR.

    HE WAS KNOWN AS HANUMAN IN EVERY LIPS OF INDIANS.

    MOST OF THE CHILDRENS ARE UNAWARE OF HIS REAL NAME & RECOGNISE HIM AS HANUMAN.

    JAI SHRI HANUMAN.

    DisAgree [16] Agree [39] Reply Report Abuse

  • Shankarnarayanan Aiyar T.A.S., Mangalore/Rameshwaram

    Thu, Jul 12 2012

    It's mumtaz who acted with Dara Singh - film like Tarzan. After which she switch on to Devanand and lastly with Rajesh Khanna. Good Actress will fit anywhere.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [20] Reply Report Abuse


Leave a Comment

Title: Wrestling Icon-Actor Dara Singh Dies at 84



You have 2000 characters left.

Disclaimer:

Please write your correct name and email address. Kindly do not post any personal, abusive, defamatory, infringing, obscene, indecent, discriminatory or unlawful or similar comments. Daijiworld.com will not be responsible for any defamatory message posted under this article.

Please note that sending false messages to insult, defame, intimidate, mislead or deceive people or to intentionally cause public disorder is punishable under law. It is obligatory on Daijiworld to provide the IP address and other details of senders of such comments, to the authority concerned upon request.

Hence, sending offensive comments using daijiworld will be purely at your own risk, and in no way will Daijiworld.com be held responsible.