Dara Singh

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Dara Singh

Dara Singh Randhawa (November 19, 1928 - July 12, 2012) is a Punjabi wrestler and film actor from the Sikh holy city of Amritsar, Punjab in India.

He was a well-known wrestler before he started acting in Hindi films in 1962.

  • Standing tall at 6’2” with rippling muscles, this wrestler has been a part of cinema for many years and is known for his portrayal of Hanuman in Ramayana.

Wrestling Career

Dara Singh is from India's state of Punjab. Due to his physique he was encouraged to study Pehlwani, an Indian style of wrestling, in the milked sand wrestling pits of India called "akhara". During the 1940's and 1950's, Dara Singh was a favourite in wrestling tournaments in India.

In addition to this he wrestled on invitation of the 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 including Stanislaus Zbyszko, and professional wrestlers in the United States.

In May 1994 he was involved in a typical bit of 'professional' wrestling chicanery, in a match with a wrestler, imitating the WWE's 'Undertaker' (once the reigning champion of the American wrestling scene) in an IWF (Indian Wrestling Federation) championship match. The match was fixed between Baljit Singh and The Undertaker at Worli Mumbai's Vallabbhai Patel Stadium and the Referee for the match was an IWF official RATAN.

Throughout the match The Undertaker dominated Baljit Singh, but as the IWF would be humiliated if a foreigner defeated an Indian on Indian soil, Dara Singh along-with his brother entered the ring and helped Baljit win the match. Baljit was then awarded the IWF championship belt at a ceremony. The belt was sponsored by Hitsu Jewellers Worli Naka.

Achievements

National Wrestling Alliance

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

In 1996 he was inducted to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame

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.

Filmography

Dara Singh

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 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 Punjabi movie "Dil Apna Punjabi".

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. "Kya Hoga Nimmo Ka" (2006) TV Series .... Amardeep Sehgal (Dadaji)
  • 2. Dil Apna Punjabi (2006) .... Hardam Singh
  • 3. Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003) .... Chaddha uncle
  • 4. Border Hindustan Ka (2003) .... Jamail Singh
  • 5. Shararat (2002) .... Mr. Gujral
  • 6. Farz (2001) .... Tayaji
  • 7. Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge (2000) .... Sapna's grandfather (guest appearance)
  • 8. Dillagi (1999)
  • 9. Zulmi (1999) .... Baba Thakur
  • 10. Guru Gobind Singh (1998)
  • 11. Main Maa Punjab Dee (1998)
  • 12. Qahar (1998) .... Special Guest
  • 13. Lav Kush (1997) .... Hanuman
  • 14. Ram Shastra (1995) .... Police Commissioner
  • 15. Karan (1994)
  • 16. Bechain (1993)
  • 17. Anmol (1993) .... Dara Shamsher, Zafar's father
  • 18. Prem Deewane (1992) .... Loha Singh
  • 19. Dharam Sankat (1991) .... Dara (the dacoit)
  • 20. Ajooba (1991) .... Maharaja Karan Singh
  • 21. Maut Ki Sazaa (1991) .... Pyara Singh
  • 22. Maula Jatt (1990) .... Maula Jatt
  • 23. Pratigya (1990) .... Daku Delavar Singh
  • 24. Sheran De Putt Sher (1990) .... Subedaar
  • 25. Shehzaade (1989) (uncredited) .... Jailor
  • 26. Elaan-E-Jung (1989)
  • 27. Gharana (1989) .... Vijay Singh Pahelwan
  • 28. "Luv Kush" (1989) TV Series .... Hanuman
  • 29. Paanch Fauladi (1988) .... Ustadji (Fauladi #1)
  • 30. Mahaveera (1988) .... Delar Singh
  • 31. "Mahabharat" (1988) TV Series .... Hanuman
  • 32. Karma (1986) .... Dharma (Jolly's elder brother)
  • 33. Bulekha (1986)
  • 34. Krishna-Krishna (1986) .... Bhagwan Shri Balram
  • 35. "Ramayan" (1986) TV Series .... Hanuman
  • 36. Sajna Sath Nibhana (1986) .... Joseph
  • 37. Mard (1985) .... Raja Azaad Singh
  • 38. Aan Aur Shaan (1984)
  • 39. Babul Da Vehra (1983)
  • 40. Unkhili Muttiar (1983)
  • 41. Main Intequam Loonga (1982) .... Ajay Kumar
  • 42. Rustom (1982)
  • 43. Guru Suleman Chela Pahelwan (1981)
  • 44. Khel Muqaddar Ka (1981)
  • 45. Chambal Ki Rani (1979)
  • 46. Bhakti Mein Shakti (1978) .... Dyanu Bhakt
  • 47. Dhyani Bhagat (1978)
  • 48. Nalayak (1978) .... Pahelwan
  • 49. Sone Ka Dil Lohe Ke Haath (1978) .... Nihalchand
  • 50. Jai Bolo Chakradhari (1977)
  • 51. Ram Bharose (1977)
  • 52. Giddha (1976) .... Bhalwaan ji
  • 53. Jai Bajrang Bali (1976)
  • 54. Lambhardarni (1976)
  • 55. Raakhi Aur Rifle (1976)
  • 56. Sawa Lakh Se Ek Ladaun (1976) .... Kartar Singh
  • 57. Dharam Karam (1975) .... Ustaad ji
  • 58. Dharmatma (1975)
  • 59. Warrant (1975) .... Pyaara Singh
  • 60. Bhagat Dhanna Jatt (1974) .... Dhanna Jatt
  • 61. Dukh Bhanjan Tera Naam (1974) .... Daku Daulay Khan
  • 62. Har Har Mahadev (1974)
  • 63. Kisan Aur Bhagwan (1974)
  • 64. Zehreela Insaan (1974)
  • 65. Hum Sab Chor Hain (1973)
  • 66. Mera Desh Mera Dharam (1973)
  • 67. Aankhon Aankhon Mein (1972) .... Pahelwan
  • 68. Hari Darshan (1972) .... Bhagwan Shiv
  • 69. Lalkaar (1972)
  • 70. Mele Mitran De (1972)
  • 71. Sultana Daku (1972)
  • 72. Ramu Ustad (1971) .... Ramu
  • 73. Tulsi Vivah (1971) .... Bhagwan Shri Shiv
  • 74. Urr chala Jatayu (udd gaya popat)(1949) .... lead
  • 75. Choron Ka Chor (1970)
  • 76. Ilzaam (1970)
  • 77. Mera Naam Joker (1970) .... Sher Singh
  • 78. Nanak Dukhiya Sab Sansar (1970) .... Kartar Singh
  • 79. Apna Khoon Apna Dushman (1969)
  • 80. Toofan (1969) .... Badal
  • 81. Balram Shri Krishna (1968) .... Balram
  • 82. Jung Aur Aman (1968)
  • 83. Chand Par Chadayee (1967)
  • 84. Do Dushman (1967)
  • 85. Daku Mangal Singh (1966)
  • 86. Jawan Mard (1966)
  • 87. Thakur Jarnail Singh (1966)
  • 88. Boxer (1965)
  • 89. Hum Sab Ustad Hain (1965)
  • 90. Khakaan (1965)
  • 91. Lutera (1965)
  • 92. Mahabharat (1965) .... Bheem
  • 93. Raaka (1965)
  • 94. Rustom-E-Hind (1965)
  • 95. Sher Dil (1965)
  • 96. Sikandar E Azam (1965) .... Sikander (Alexander)
  • 97. Tarzan and King Kong (1965) .... Tarzan's opponent
  • 98. Tarzan Comes to Delhi (1965) .... Tarzan
  • 99. Teen Sardar (1965)
  • 100. Aandhi Aur Toofan (1964)
  • 101. Aaya Toofan (1964)
  • 102. Badshah (1964)
  • 103. Dara Singh (1964) .... Dara Singh
  • 104. Hercules (1964) .... Hercules
  • 105. Samson (1964) .... Samson
  • 106. Veer Bhimsen (1964)
  • 107. Faulad (1963)
  • 108. Rustom-E-Baghdad (1963) .... Dara/Rustom-E-Baghdad
  • 109. King Kong (1962)
  • 110. Jagga Daku (1959) .... Jagga Daku
  • 111. Pehli Jhalak (1955)
  • 112. Sangdil (1952)

Sound Design

  • 1. Blue Umbrella (August 10, 2007)

Story Writer

  • 1. Bhakti Mein Shakti (1978

See also