Dara Singh , Dara Singh Born Deedar Singh, (1928-11-19)19 November 1928, Dharmuchak (now Amritsar district), British Punjab Died 12 July 2012(2012-07-12) (aged 83), Mumbai, Maharashtra, India Nationality Indian Other names Rustam-E-Punjab, Rustam-E-Hind, Ironman of Indian cinema Occupation Wrestler, Actor Years active 1946-1983 (wrestler), 1950-2012 (actor), 2003-2009 (politics) Website dara-singh.com Dara Singh (19 November 1928 - 12 July 2012) was an Indian wrestler-turned-actor. He started acting in 1952 and was the first sportsman to be nominated to the Rajya Sabha. He worked as Hindi and Punjabi film producer, director and writer, and he acted on film and television. Early life edit: Dara Singh was born on 19 November in 1928 in the village of Dharmuchak, which was then a part of British Punjab and as of 2012 is in Amritsar district. Career edit: Wrestling edit: As an adult he was 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m) tall, weighed 132 kilograms (290 lb) and had a chest measurement of 54 inches (140 cm). Due to his physique, he was encouraged to take up Pehlwani, an Indian style of wrestling. He wrestled by invitation of the kings of Indian princely states and wrestled frequently in haats and melas (fairs and carnivals). Singh left his village for Singapore in 1948. His last tournament, where he announced his retirement, was held in Delhi in 1983, inaugurated by Rajiv Gandhi and the winning trophy was presented by Giani Zail Singh. In 1996 he was inducted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame. Films and television edit: He started his career as an actor in 1952 with Sangdil. He was a stunt film actor for many years and played his first lead role in Babubhai Mistry's film King Kong (1962). From around 1963 he partnered often with Mumtaz. With her he performed in 16 Hindi films and the couple became the highest-paid B-grade actors, with Singh receiving nearly four lakh rupees per film. He then went on to do television in the late 1980s, where he played the role of Hanuman in the television adaptation of the Hindu epic Ramayan. He was liked more in the role of 'Bheem Sen' in films like Veer Bheem Sen and Ramayan and in role of 'Hanuman' both in films and TV serial. He worked with Prathviraj Kapoor in Sikander-e-Aazam, Khakaan, Lootera, Daku Mangalsingh and Insaaf. He also played the Alexander in Sikander-e-Aazam. He worked in some television serial shows, including Had Kar Di which was aired on Zee TV and Kyaa Hoga Nimmo Kaa for StarOne. His last Hindi movie was Jab We Met and last Punjabi movie released before his illness was Dil Apna Punjabi. He acted in National Award winning film Main Maa Punjab Dee directed by Balwant Singh Dullat. He directed seven Punjabi films of which Sawa Lakh Se Ek Ladaun, Nanak Dukhiya Sub Sansar, Dhyanu Bhagat, Rab Dian Rakhan were commercial hits, and directed two films in Hindi, Bhakti Mein Shakti and Rustom (1982). His directorial venture Bhakti Mein Shakti, a mythological film, completed a record run at Delhi's Imperial Cinema in 1978. He produced 8 films and wrote the story for 7 films. These films were produced and directed under the banner "Dara Film" which he set up in 1970. Dara Studio edit: Singh was also the owner of Dara Studio at Mohali, District Mohali, Punjab. Dara Film Studio was founded in 1978. The Studio is operational from 1980 as film studio. Politics edit: Singh became the first sportsman to be nominated to the Rajya Sabha - the upper house of the Parliament of India. He served in that role between 2003 and 2009. He was also president of the Jat Mahasabha. Death edit: He was admitted in Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital on 7 July 2012 following a cardiac arrest. He was released from hospital on 11 July in deference to the wishes of his family. He died on 12 July 2012 at his home in Mumbai. He was cremated at Juhu crematorium. Personal life edit: Dara Singh married twice. He had a son, Parduman Singh Randhawa, from his first marriage and from his second marriage he had five children: two sons and three daughters including Vindu Dara Singh, who is a film and television actor. Awards and accomplishments edit: Other awards and accomplishments of Dara Singh are: 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, Filmography edit: As actor edit: Year Title Role Notes 1952 Sangdil 1954 Pehli Jhalak Wrestler Dara Singh 1959 Jagga Daku Jagga Daku 1962 King Kong Jingu / King Kong 1963 Faulad Faulad Singh 1963 Rustom-E-Baghdad Dara/Rustom-E-Baghdad 1963 Awara Abdulla Abdulla 1964 Samson Samson 1964 Aandhi Aur Toofan 1964 Darasingh: Ironman Dara Singh 1965 Rustom-E-Hind 1965 Boxer 1965 Sher Dil 1965 Raaka 1965 Sikandar-E-Azam Alexander 1965 Lootera 1966 Naujawan 1966 Veer Bajrang 1966 Dada 1966 Daku Mangal Singh Daku Mangal Singh/ Kumar 1966 Jawan Mard 1967 Do Dushman 1967 Watan Se Door - 1967 Nasihat 1968 Thief of Baghdad 1968 Jung Aur Aman 1968 Balram Shri Krishna Balram 1969 Faulad ki Aulad 1969 Toofan Badal 1970 Choron Ka Chor Ashok 1970 Ilzaam Raju/Kishan 1970 Mera Naam Joker Sher Singh 1970 Nanak Dukhiya Sab Sansar Kartar Singh Punjabi film 1971 Kabhi Dhoop Kabhi Chhaon 1971 Ramu Ustad Ramu 1971 Tulsi Vivah Bhagwan Shiv 1971 Anand Pahalwan Guest appearance 1972 Aankhon Aankhon Mein Pahelwan 1972 Hari Darshan Bhagwan Shiv 1972 Lalkaar 1972 Mele Mitran De Punjabi film 1972 Sultana Daku 1975 Warrant Pyaara Singh 1973 Hum Sab Chor Hain 1973 Mera Desh Mera Dharam 1974 Kuwara Baap 1974 Bhagat Dhanna Jatt Dhanna Jatt 1974 Dukh Bhanjan Tera Naam Daku Daulay Khan 1974 Har Har Mahadev Bhagwan Shiv 1974 Kisan Aur Bhagwan Dhanna 1974 Zehreela Insaan 1975 Dharam Karam Ustaad ji 1975 Dharmatma Pahelwan 1976 Bajrangbali Hanuman 1976 Lambhardarni Lambardar/Dharma Punjabi film 1976 Raakhi Aur Rifle Ganga Singh 1976 Sawa Lakh Se Ek Ladaun Kartar Singh Punjabi film 1976 Apna Khoon Apna Dushman 1977 Jai Bolo Chakradhari 1977 Ram Bharose Sardar Vikram Singh 1978 Bhakti Mein Shakti Dyanu Bhakt 1978 Dhyanu Bhagat Dhyanu Bhagat Punjabi film 1978 Nalayak Pahelwan 1978 Sone Ka Dil Lohe Ke Haath Nihalchand 1978 Giddha Bhalwaan Dulla ji 1979 Chambal Ki Raani 1981 Guru Suleman Chela Pahelwan 1981 Khel Muqaddar Ka 1982 Main Intequam Loonga Ajay Kumar 1982 Rustom Rustom Mangal Singh 1983 Babul Da Vehra Punjabi film 1983 Unkhili Muttiar Mechanic Punjabi film 1984 Aan Aur Shaan 1985 Mutharamkunnu P.O. Himself Malayalam film 1985 Mard Raja Azaad Singh 1986 Karma Dharma 1986 Bulekha 1986 Krishna-Krishna Bhagwan Shri Balram 1986 Ramayan Hanuman TV Series 1986 Sajna Sath Nibhana Joseph 1986 Maaveeran Tamil film adaptation of Mard. 1988 Maula Jatt Maula Jatt & Dharma 1988 Paanch Fauladi Ustadji (Fauladi #1) 1988 Mahaveera Delar Singh 1988 Mahabharat Hanuman TV Series 1989 Shehzaade Jailor 1989 Elaan-E-Jung Bheema 1989 Gharana Vijay Singh Pahelwan 1990 Tera Mera Pyar Preet's dad 1990 Naaka Bandi Dharam Singh 1990 Pratigya Daku Delavar Singh 1990 Sheran De Putt Sher Subedaar 1991 Dharam Sankat Dara (the dacoit) 1991 Ajooba Maharaja Karan Singh 1991 Maut Ki Sazaa Pyara Singh 1992 Prem Deewane Loha Singh 1993 Bechain 1993 Anmol Dara Shamsher, Zafar's father 1994 Karan 1995 Ram Shastra Police Commissioner 1997 Lav Kush Hanuman 1997 Main Maa Punjab Dee Punjabi film 1998 Guru Gobind Singh 1998 Auto Driver Telugu film 1998 Qahar Guest appearance 1999 Dillagi 1999 Zulmi Baba Thakur 2000 Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge Sapna's grandfather Guest appearance 2001 Farz Tayaji 2002 Shararat Mr. Gujral 2003 Kal Ho Naa Ho Chaddha uncle 2003 Border Hindustan Ka Jamail Singh 2004 Family Business TV series 2006 Kyaa Hoga Nimmo Kaa Amardeep Sehgal (Dadaji) TV series 2006 Dil Apna Punjabi Hardam Singh 2007 Jab We Met Geet's grandfather 2012 Ata Pata Lapata Guest Appearance As director edit: Year Title Notes 1970 Nanak Dukhiya Sub Sansar 1973 Mera Desh Mera Dharam 1974 Bhagat Dhanna Jatt 1976 Sawa Lakh Se Ek Ladaun 1978 Dhyanu Bhagat 1978 Bhakti Mein Shakti 1982 Rustom As producer edit: Year Title Notes 1978 Bhakti Mein Shakti 1994 Karan

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