Dara Singh, born on born 19 November 1928, was a professional wrestler and film actor. He was born in Dharmuchak, in the Indian state of Punjab. Dara Sing was born as Dara Singh Randhawa and grew up to be a well-known wrestler and film actor from Amritsar. Singh started his career in Indian cinema with fighting on-screen bouts and these fight sequences often were detached to the films storyline and were added merely to increase a films mass appeal that was justified with the presence of Dara Singh.
After bidding adieu to his wrestling career when he made his way to Bollywood he became quite successful in his profession as an actor. He also owned the Dara Studio at Mohali district in Punjab. It was established in the year 1978, and became operational two years since its inception.
Early Life of Dara Singh
Dara Singh, his parents - Surat Singh and Balwant Kaur - was Jat Sikhs, started his life as a wrestler and then gradually shifted to acting in Bollywood and televisions. He, as a wrestler, competed against some of the greatest names in the domain of wrestling. He was the Indian Wrestling Champion and also won the World Championships. He defeated some of the former world champions in wrestling, namely the great Stanislaus Zbyszko. Moreover, he also wrestled on invitation of the kings of several Indian princely states and wrestled in various fairs and carnivals. Due to his unique physique, he was encouraged to study Pehlwani, an Indian style of wrestling that is customarily done in the milked sand wrestling pits of India called Akhara. The championships and accomplishments of Dara Singh include Canadian Open Tag Team Champion with Yukon Erich, Rustam-E-Punjab, Rustam-E-Hind, Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards and Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame.
Film Career of Dara Singh
Dara Sing played the lead role in Babubhai Mistri`s King Kong for the first time and led to a series of highly successful stunt films such as Rustom-e-Hind, Samson, Faulad, and Sikander-e-Azam. He was also the favourite to play the mythological characters of Hanuman, Bhim, and Balram in the mega shows.
Dara Singh established the Dara Films in 1970 and thus produced and directed Punjabi devotional songs such as Bhagat Dhanna Jat. His career in television began with Ramanand Sagar`s epic serial Ramayana, where he played the character of Lord Hanuman. This series was known to be the most widely viewed epic serial in history. Dara Singh continues to play character roles in films and act in television serials. He is presently president of All India Jat Mahasabha. Dara Singh has acted in more than 100 films. His latest Hindi movie is Jab We Met and his recently done Punjabi movie is Dil Apna Punjabi. He also worked in television serial shows, best among which is `Had Kar Di`, aired on Zee TV channels.
Life in Politics for Dara Singh
Dara Singh was the first sports personality to be nominated at the upper house - The Rajya Sabha of the Indian parliament. He served in that role between 2003 and 2009. He was also president of the Jat Mahasabha.
Later Years of Dara Singh
During the later part of his life, Dara Singh lived a fit and agile life. But he died due to sudden cardiac arrest. He was admitted in Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital on 7 July 2012 following a cardiac arrest. He died on 12 July 2012 at his home in Mumbai.
Personal Life of Dara Singh
Dara Singh tied nuptial chord twice. From his first marriage he had a son whom he named as Parduman Singh Randhawa, and had five children from his second marriage - two sons and three daughters including Vindu Dara Singh, who is a film and television actor.
Filmography of Dara Singh
As Director
| Unkhilli Muttiar (1983) |
Rustom (1982) |
Bhakti Mein Shakti (1978) |
Dhyanu Bhagat (1978) |
| Sawa Lakh Se Ek Ladaun (1976) |
Bhagat Dhanna Jatt (1974) |
Mera Desh Mera Dharam (1973) |
Nanak Dukhiya Sub Sansar (1970) |
As Producer
| Karan (1994) |
Bhakti Mein Shakti (1978) |
As Actor
Jab We Met (2007)
"Kya Hoga Nimmo Ka" (2006) TV Series
Dil Apna Punjabi (2006)
Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003)
Border Hindustan Ka (2003)
Shararat (2002)
Farz (2001)
Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge (2000)
Dillagi (1999)
Zulmi (1999)
Guru Gobind Singh (1998)
Main Maa Punjab Dee
Qahar (1998)
Lav Kush (1997)
Ram Shastra (1995)
Karan (1994)
Bechain (1993)
Anmol (1993)
Prem Deewane (1992)
Dharam Sankat (1991)
Ajooba (1991)
Maut Ki Sazaa (1991)
Maula Jatt (1990)
Pratigya (1990)
Sheran De Putt Sher (1990)
Shehzaade (1989)
Elaan-E-Jung (1989)
Gharana (1989)
"Luv Kush" (1989) TV Series
Paanch Fauladi (1988)
Mahaveera (1988)
"Mahabharat" (1988) TV Series
Karma (1986)
Bulekha (1986)
Krishna-Krishna (1986
"Ramayan" (1986)
Sajna Sath Nibhana (1986)
Mutharamkunnu P.O. (1985)
Mard (1985)
Aan Aur Shaan (1984)
Babul Da Vehra (1983)
Unkhili Muttiar (1983)
Main Intequam Loonga (1982)
Rustom (1982)
Guru Suleman Chela Pahelwan (1981)
Khel Muqaddar Ka (1981)
Chambal Ki Rani (1979)
Bhakti Mein Shakti (1978)
Dhyani Bhagat (1978)
Nalayak (1978)
Sone Ka Dil Lohe Ke Haath (1978)
Jai Bolo Chakradhari (1977)
Ram Bharose (1977)
Giddha (1976)
Jai Bajrang Bali (1976)
Hum Sab Chor Hain (1973)
Mera Desh Mera Dharam (1973)
Aankhon Aankhon Mein (1972)
Hari Darshan (1972)
Lalkaar (1972)
Mele Mitran De (1972)
Sultana Daku (1972)
Ramu Ustad (1971)
Tulsi Vivah (1971)
Anand (1970)
Choron Ka Chor (1970)
Ilzaam (1970)
Mera Naam Joker (1970)
Nanak Dukhiya Sab Sansar (1970)
Apna Khoon Apna Dushman (1969)
Toofan (1969)
Balram Shri Krishna (1968)
Jung Aur Aman (1968)
Chand Par Chadayee (1967)
Do Dushman (1967)
Daku Mangal Singh (1966)
Jawan Mard (1966)
Thakur Jarnail Singh (1966)
Hum Sab Ustad Hain (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)
Hercules (1964)
Samson (1964)
Veer Bhimsen (1964)
Faulad (1963)
Rustom-E-Baghdad (1963)
King Kong (1962)
Jagga Daku (1959)
Pehli Jhalak (1955)
Sangdil (1952) Urr chala Jatayu (ud d gaya popat)(1949)
Hanuman in Ramayana
Awards and Accomplishments of Dara Singh
National Wrestling Alliance: Canadian Open Tag Team Champion, with Yukon Eric
Rustam-e-Hind, 1954
Rustam-e-Punjab, 1966
Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame
Class of 1996
