Dara Singh

Dara Singh Randhawa
All India Jat Mahasabha Centenary Celebrations 2007, Seen in the image are Dharmendra, Dara Singh and Kamal Patel
Born	Dara Singh Randhawa 19 November 1928 (1928-11-19) (age 81)
Other name(s)	Dara
Occupation	Wrestler, Actor
Years active	1962 – present

Dara Singh (born 19 November 1928) is a Jat Sikh Punjabi Indian wrestler and film actor bassically from Village Dharmchuk, Distt Amritsar, Punjab, India.[1] He is the current president of All India Jat Mahasabha.

He was a well-known wrestler before he started acting in Hindi films in 1962.^[1] From an Indian Wrestling Champion to the World Championship, Dara Singh has competed against some of the greatest names in wrestling history including Lou Thesz. He has defeated some of the former world champion wrestlers including the great Stanislaus Zbyszko.He was nominated member of Rajya Sabha by Bhartiya Janata Party during August 2003 - August 2009.^[2]

Career

Dara singh is from India's state of Punjab. Due to his physique^[3] he was encouraged to study Pehlwani, an Indian style of wrestling, in the milked sand wrestling pits of India called akhara. Dara Singh was a favourite in wrestling tournaments in India. In addition to this, he wrestled on invitation of kings of various Indian princely states and wrestled frequently in haats and melas (fairs and carnivals). He also successfully competed against some of the greatest names in wrestling history and professional wrestlers in the United States.

Upon his return to India he gained unprecedented popularity by having wrestling bouts across the country in the 1940s, '50s, and '60s, including a very popular series of matches with Lou Thesz in the late '60s.^[4] He then translated this to celluloid fame by making a large number of Bollywood films which had him in the lead. One of his notable finds was the actress Mumtaz with whom he had performed in 16 Hindi films. He then went on to 1980s and 90s television fame, when he played the role of Hanuman in the television adaptation of the epic Ramayan. The series is amongst the most widely viewed in history. He has acted in over 100 films. His latest Hindi movie is Jab We Met and his latest Punjabi movie is Dil Apna Punjabi. He also worked in some television serial shows, most notable is 'Had Kar Di' which was aired on Zee TV. He has two sons named Vindu Dara Singh and Amrik Singh and also 3 daughters. Vindu stays in Mumbai while Amrik stays in Chandigarh. Singh retired from active wrestling in 1983.^[4] In 1996 he was inducted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame.

Championships and accomplishments

National Wrestling Alliance

• Canadian Open Tag Team Champion (1 time) - with Yukon Erich

India

• Rustam-E-Punjab
• Rustam-E-Hind

• Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards

• Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 1996)

Filmography

Upon his return to India he gained unprecedented popularity by having bouts of wrestling across the country in the 1940s and 50s. He than translated this to celluloid fame by making a large number of B grade action, stunt and fantasy films which had him in the lead. One of his noticeable finds was the actress Mumtaz. He then went on to 1980s and 90s T.V fame when he played the role of Hanuman in the television adaptation of the epic Ramayana. The series is amongst the most widely viewed in history. He has acted in over 100 films. His latest movie is a Hindi movie Jab We Met.

As Director

(1980s) (1970s)

1. Unkhili Muttiar (1983)

2. Rustom (1982)

3. Bhakti Mein Shakti (1978)

4. Dhyani Bhagat (1978)

5. Sawa Lakh Se Ek Ladaun (1976)

6. Bhagat Dhanna Jatt (1974)

7. Mera Desh Mera Dharam (1973)

8. Nanak Dukhiya Sab Sansar (1970)

As Producer

(1990s) (1970s)

1. Karan (1994)

2. Bhakti Mein Shakti (1978)

As Actor

(2000s) (1990s) (1980s) (1970s) (1960s) (1950s)

1. Jab We Met {2007} ...Geet's grandfather

2. "Kya Hoga Nimmo Ka" (2006) TV Series .... Amardeep Sehgal (Dadaji)

3. Dil Apna Punjabi (2006) .... Hardam Singh

4. Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003) .... Chaddha uncle

5. Border Hindustan Ka (2003) .... Jamail Singh

6. Shararat (2002) .... Mr. Gujral

7. Farz (2001) .... Tayaji

8. Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge (2000) .... Sapna's grandfather (guest appearance)

9. Dillagi (1999)

10. Zulmi (1999) .... Baba Thakur

11. Guru Gobind Singh (1998)

12. Main Maa Punjab Dee (1998)

13. Qahar (1998) .... Special Guest

14. Lav Kush (1997) .... Hanuman

15. Ram Shastra (1995) .... Police Commissioner

16. Karan (1994)

17. Bechain (1993)

18. Anmol (1993) .... Dara Shamsher, Zafar's father

19. Prem Deewane (1992) .... Loha Singh

20. Dharam Sankat (1991) .... Dara (the dacoit)

21. Ajooba (1991) .... Maharaja Karan Singh

22. Maut Ki Sazaa (1991) .... Pyara Singh

23. Maula Jatt (1990) .... Maula Jatt

24. Pratigya (1990) .... Daku Delavar Singh

25. Sheran De Putt Sher (1990) .... Subedaar

26. Shehzaade (1989) (uncredited) .... Jailor

27. Elaan-E-Jung (1989)

28. Gharana (1989) .... Vijay Singh Pahelwan

29. "Luv Kush" (1989) TV Series .... Hanuman

30. Paanch Fauladi (1988) .... Ustadji (Fauladi #1)

31. Mahaveera (1988) .... Delar Singh

32. "Mahabharat" (1988) TV Series .... Hanuman

33. Karma (1986) .... Dharma (Jolly's elder brother)

34. Bulekha (1986)

35. Krishna-Krishna (1986) .... Bhagwan Shri Balram

36. "Ramayan" (1986) TV Series .... Hanuman

37. Sajna Sath Nibhana (1986) .... Joseph

38. Mard (1985) .... Raja Azaad Singh

39. Aan Aur Shaan (1984)

40. Babul Da Vehra (1983)

41. Unkhili Muttiar (1983)

42. Main Intequam Loonga (1982) .... Ajay Kumar

43. Rustom (1982)

44. Guru Suleman Chela Pahelwan (1981)

45. Khel Muqaddar Ka (1981)

46. Chambal Ki Rani (1979)

47. Bhakti Mein Shakti (1978) .... Dyanu Bhakt

48. Dhyani Bhagat (1978)

49. Nalayak (1978) .... Pahelwan

50. Sone Ka Dil Lohe Ke Haath (1978) .... Nihalchand

51. Jai Bolo Chakradhari (1977)

52. Ram Bharose (1977)

53. Giddha (1976) .... Bhalwaan ji

54. Jai Bajrang Bali (1976)

55. Lambhardarni (1976)

56. Raakhi Aur Rifle (1976)

57. Sawa Lakh Se Ek Ladaun (1976) .... Kartar Singh

58. Dharam Karam (1975) .... Ustaad ji

59. Dharmatma (1975)

60. Warrant (1975) .... Pyaara Singh

61. Bhagat Dhanna Jatt (1974) .... Dhanna Jatt

62. Dukh Bhanjan Tera Naam (1974) .... Daku Daulay Khan

63. Har Har Mahadev (1974)

64. Kisan Aur Bhagwan (1974)

65. Zehreela Insaan (1974)

66. Hum Sab Chor Hain (1973)

67. Mera Desh Mera Dharam (1973)

68. Aankhon Aankhon Mein (1972) .... Pahelwan

69. Hari Darshan (1972) .... Bhagwan Shiv

70. Lalkaar (1972)

71. Mele Mitran De (1972)

72. Sultana Daku (1972)

73. Ramu Ustad (1971) .... Ramu

74. Tulsi Vivah (1971) .... Bhagwan Shri Shiv

75. Urr chala Jatayu (udd gaya popat)(1949) .... lead

76. Choron Ka Chor (1970)

77. Ilzaam (1970)

78. Mera Naam Joker (1970) .... Sher Singh

79. Nanak Dukhiya Sab Sansar (1970) .... Kartar Singh

80. Apna Khoon Apna Dushman (1969)

81. Toofan (1969) .... Badal

82. Balram Shri Krishna (1968) .... Balram

83. Jung Aur Aman (1968)

84. Chand Par Chadayee (1967)

85. Do Dushman (1967)

86. Daku Mangal Singh (1966)

87. Jawan Mard (1966)

88. Thakur Jarnail Singh (1966)

89. Boxer (1965)

90. Hum Sab Ustad Hain (1965)

91. Khakaan (1965)

92. Lutera (1965)

93. Mahabharat (1965) .... Bheem

94. Raaka (1965)

95. Rustom-E-Hind (1965)

96. Sher Dil (1965)

97. Sikandar E Azam (1965) .... Sikander (Alexander)

98. Tarzan and King Kong (1965) .... Tarzan's opponent

99. Tarzan Comes to Delhi (1965) .... Tarzan

100. Teen Sardar (1965)

101. Aandhi Aur Toofan (1964)

102. Aaya Toofan (1964)

103. Badshah (1964)

104. Dara Singh (1964) .... Dara Singh

105. Hercules (1964) .... Hercules

106. Samson (1964) .... Samson

107. Veer Bhimsen (1964)

108. Faulad (1963)

109. Rustom-E-Baghdad (1963) .... Dara/Rustom-E-Baghdad

110. King Kong (1962)

111. Jagga Daku (1959) .... Jagga Daku

112. Pehli Jhalak (1955)

113. Sangdil (1952)

114. Mutharamkunnu P.O (1985) .. As Dara Singh himself (language Malayalam)

Cultural References

In India his name is used in sentences like "Khud ko Dara Singh samajhte ho kya?" (Do you consider yourself to be Dara Singh?) and he is considered as a benchmark for manliness and strength.

References

External links

• Dara Singh's IMDb entry