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{{short description|Indian professional wrestler and actor}}
{{other uses}}
{{EngvarB|date=March 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
|name = Dara Singh  
|name       = Dara Singh
|image = Dara Singh 1.jpg
|image       = Dara Singh 1.jpg
|alt = Dara Singh
|alt         = Dara Singh
|caption = Dara Singh
|caption     = Singh at [[Pran (actor)|Pran]]'s birthday party in February 2010
|birth_name = Deedar Singh
|birth_name = Deedar Singh Randhawa
|birth_date = {{birth date|1928|11|19|df=yes}}<!-- Source of birth date is on Talk Page pls check -->
|birth_date = {{birth date|1928|11|19|df=yes}}
|birth_place = Dharmuchak (now [[Amritsar district]]), [[British India]]
|birth_place = [[Dharmuchak]], [[Amritsar District]], [[Punjab Province (British India)|Punjab]], [[British Raj|British India]] <br/>{{small|(now [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], [[India]])}}<ref name="toi20120712">{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Dara-Singh-passes-away/articleshow/14838702.cms |title=Dara Singh Passes Away |date=12 July 2012 |work=The Times of India |access-date=1 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150916020853/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Dara-Singh-passes-away/articleshow/14838702.cms |archive-date=16 September 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|death_date = {{death date and age|2012|7|12|1928|11|19|df=yes}}
|party      = [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]
|death_date = {{death date and age|2012|7|12|1928|11|19|df=yes}}
|death_place = [[Mumbai]], [[Maharashtra]], India
|death_place = [[Mumbai]], [[Maharashtra]], India
|yearsactive = 1946–1983 (wrestler) <br> 1950–2012 (actor) <br> 2003-2009 (politics)
|height      = 1.88 m<ref name=height>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1499&dat=19660509&id=bt8jAAAAIBAJ&pg=3133,7086073&hl=en |title=Wrestler Finds Acting Easy, Is Idol Of India's Morie Fans, p.2 |publisher=[[The Milwaukee Journal]] |date=9 May 1966 |location=[[Bombay]] }}</ref>
|yearsactive = 1947–1983 (wrestler) <br/> 1950–2012 (actor) <br/> 2003–2009 (politician)
|nationality = Indian
|nationality = Indian
|religion =  
|children    = 6 including;<br/>[[Vindu Dara Singh]]
|other_names = Rustam-E-Punjab<br>Rustam-E-Hind <br> Ironman of Indian cinema
|family      = See [[List of Hindi film clans#Randhawa family|Randhawa family]]
|known_for =
|spouse      = {{Marriage|Bachno Kaur|1942|1952}}<br/>{{marriage|Surjit Kaur|11 May 1961}}
|occupation = [[Wrestler]], Actor
|title      = Rustam-e-Hind
|website = {{URL|http://dara-singh.com}}
|occupation  = [[Professional wrestling|Professional wrestler]], [[actor]], [[politician]]
|website     = {{URL|dara-singh.com}}
|module      =
{{Infobox professional wrestler|child=yes
| names      = Dara Singh
| height    = {{height|ft=6|in=2}}<ref name=height/>
| weight    = {{convert|127|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
| billed    = [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], [[India]]
| trainer    = Harnam Singh
| debut      = 1948
| retired    = 1983
}}{{Infobox officeholder
|embed      = yes
| office = Member of Parliament, [[Rajya Sabha]]
| termstart = 27 August 2003
| termend = 26 August 2009
}}
}}
}}
'''Dara Singh Randhawa''' (born '''Deedar Singh Randhawa'''; 19 November 1928&nbsp;– 12 July 2012) was an [[Indian people|Indian]] [[Professional wrestling|professional wrestler]], [[actor]] and [[politician]]. He started acting in 1952 and was the first sportsman to be nominated to the [[Rajya Sabha]] (upper house) of India.<ref>{{cite news |title=Remembering Dara Singh: 13 facts about India's most-loved wrestler |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/gk-current-affairs/story/dara-singh-839075-2016-11-19 |access-date=20 August 2020 |work=India Today |date=19 November 2016 |language=en}}</ref> He worked as Hindi and Punjabi film producer, director and writer, and he acted in films and television. He is known for his undefeated worldwide streak in wrestling and later being a successful movie star. He got defeated by Brahmdev Mishra of Gorakhpur in culcutta Dharmtalla.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Pandey|first=Dr Ved Prakash|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=40owDwAAQBAJ&dq=brahmdev+mishra+pahalwan+saharnama+gorakhpur&pg=PA334|title=Shaharnama Gorakhpur|date=2017-07-04|publisher=Vāṇī Prakāśana|isbn=978-93-5229-698-9|language=hi}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Wrestler's Body|url=https://publishing.cdlib.org/ucpressebooks/view?docId=ft6n39p104&chunk.id=s1.9.5&toc.id=ch09&brand=ucpress|access-date=2021-07-25|website=publishing.cdlib.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=City duel that 'broke' Dara - Fans recall champ's stint in akhara on the bank of the Hooghly|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/city-duel-that-broke-dara-fans-recall-champ-s-stint-in-akhara-on-the-bank-of-the-hooghly/cid/1282852|access-date=2021-08-01|website=www.telegraphindia.com}}</ref> His role of [[Hanuman]] in the film ''[[Bajrangbali (film)|Bajrangbali]]'' (1976) and in [[Ramanand Sagar]]'s ''Ramayan'' made him popular.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Dara Singh: The original muscle man of Bollywood|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/entertainment/dara-singh-the-original-muscle-man-of-bollywood/dara-singh-had-500-undefeated-fights-to-his-credit/slideshow/14869179.cms|last=PTI|date=13 July 2012|work=The Economic Times|access-date=17 May 2020}}</ref> Singh was inducted into the Legacy Category of the [[WWE Hall of Fame (2018)|WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2018]].<ref name="HoF"/>
==Early life==
Singh was born in a [[Jat]] family as Deedar Singh Randhawa on 19 November 1928<ref>{{cite news |title=Obituary: Dara Singh - the champion loses his final fight |agency=IANS |work=Hindustan Times|date=12 July 2012 |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Bollywood/OBITUARY-Dara-Singh-the-champion-loses-his-final-fight/Article1-887448.aspx |access-date=14 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120713000223/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Bollywood/OBITUARY-Dara-Singh-the-champion-loses-his-final-fight/Article1-887448.aspx |archive-date=13 July 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kahol |first1=Vikas |title=People at ancestral village remember legendary wrestler and film actor Dara Singh |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/north/story/people-at-ancestral-village-remember-dara-singh-109168-2012-07-12 |access-date=18 September 2019 |work=India Today |date=13 July 2012 |language=en}}</ref> in the village of Dharmuchak in the [[Majha]] area of the [[Punjab region]] of India. At the time, it was still under [[British Raj]] colonial rule.<ref name="Lentz">{{cite book |author1=Lentz, Harris M. |title=Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2012 |date=2013 |publisher=[[McFarland & Company]] |isbn=978-0786470631 |page=266 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V9hM_XbAOcQC&q=%22SINGH,+DARA+Indian+wrestler+and+actor+Dara+Singh+died+of+complications+from+cardiac+arrest+at+his+home+in+Mumbai,+India,+on+July+12,+2012.+He+was+83.+He+was+born+Deedar+Singh+Randhawa+in+Dharmuchak,+British+Punjab+(now+Amritsar),+India,+on+November+19,+1928.%22&pg=PA266 |access-date=31 March 2019}}</ref><ref name="toi20120713">{{cite news |first=Yudhvir |last=Rana |agency=TNN |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-07-13/india/32662860_1_dara-singh-akhadas-village |title=Little Dara holds ray of hope in wrestler's village |date=13 July 2012 |access-date=14 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021055724/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-07-13/india/32662860_1_dara-singh-akhadas-village |archive-date=21 October 2013 |work=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=dead }}</ref>
==Career==
===Professional wrestling===
[[File:Dara Singh vs King Kong.jpg|upright|thumb|Singh wrestling [[Emile Czaja|King Kong]] at [[Japan Wrestling Association|JWA]] in 1955]]
He came to [[Singapore]] in 1947, where he worked in a [[drum]]-manufacturing mill and began his wrestling training under Harnam Singh in the [[Great World Amusement Park|Great World Stadium]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dara-singh.com/ |title="Meri Atmakatha" (Autobiography) |publisher=Dara Singh |date=1989 |access-date=11 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111120093124/http://www.dara-singh.com/ |archive-date=20 November 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> As an adult he was {{convert|6|ft|2|in|m}} tall,<ref name=height/> weighed {{convert|127|kg|lb}} and had a chest measurement of {{convert|53|in|cm}}. Due to his physique, he was encouraged to take up [[pehlwani]], an Indian style of wrestling, in which he trained for several years. After switching to [[professional wrestling]], he competed around the world with opponents such as [[Bill Verna]], Firpo Zbyszko, [[John Da Silva]], [[Rikidōzan]], Danny Lynch and [[Ski Hi Lee]]. His flooring of [[Emile Czaja|King Kong]] is still remembered.<ref name=lifted>{{cite web |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/When-Rustam-e-Hind-lifted-King-Kong-off-his-feet-and-flung-him/articleshow/14859079.cms |title=When Rustam-e-Hind lifted King Kong off his feet and flung him |publisher=[[Times of India]] |date=13 July 2012 |access-date=29 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111055840/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/When-Rustam-e-Hind-lifted-King-Kong-off-his-feet-and-flung-him/articleshow/14859079.cms |archive-date=11 January 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>
In 1954 Dara competed in the Rustam-e-Hind (Champion of India) tournament where he won the final by defeating [[Tiger Joginder Singh]] and received a silver cup from Maharaja [[Hari Singh]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cuttingthechai.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/dara-singh-newspaper-clipping-04-120712.jpg |title=Free-Style Wrestling: Dara Singh Crowned Champion of Bharat |publisher=[[The New Indian Express]] |date=13 June 1954 |location=Bombay |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161114233640/http://www.cuttingthechai.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/dara-singh-newspaper-clipping-04-120712.jpg |archive-date=14 November 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1959, he won the Commonwealth Championship by defeating [[George Gordienko]] at Calcutta. On 29 May 1968 in Bombay, his victory over [[Lou Thesz]] earned him the [[Professional wrestling championship#World championships|World championship]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/15/movies/dara-singh-83-bollywood-star-and-wrestler-dies.html?_r=0 |title=Dara Singh, Wrestler and Bollywood Action Hero, Dies at 83 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=14 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908155616/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/15/movies/dara-singh-83-bollywood-star-and-wrestler-dies.html?_r=0 |archive-date=8 September 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Hero>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-18809078 |title=Dara Singh: India's 'first all-action hero' |work=[[BBC News]] |date=12 July 2012 |location=Mumbai |access-date=21 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908120318/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-18809078 |archive-date=8 September 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> According to Thesz, Singh was "an authentic wrestler, was superbly conditioned" and had no problem losing to the latter.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Oliver |first1=Greg |title=Dara Singh was an Indian icon in wrestling, Bollywood |url=https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2012/07/13/dara-singh-was-an-indian-icon-in-wrestling-bollywood/ |website=Slam Wrestling |access-date=22 February 2021 |date=13 July 2012}}</ref> His last tournament, where he announced his retirement, was held in Delhi in June 1983.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Top 100 Pro Wrestlers of All Time |first=John F. |last=Molinaro |editor1-first=Jeff |editor1-last=Marek |editor2-first=Dave |editor2-last=Meltzer |publisher=Winding Stair Press |year=2002 |isbn=978-1-55366-305-8 |page=199}}</ref>
===Films and television===
Singh left his village for Singapore in 1948.<ref name="toi20120713" /> He started his career as an actor in 1952 with ''[[Sangdil (1952 film)|Sangdil]]''.<ref name=toi/> He was a stunt film actor for many years and played his first lead role in [[Babubhai Mistry]]'s film ''King Kong'' (1962).<ref name=Encyclo/> From around 1963 he partnered often with [[Mumtaz (actress)|Mumtaz]], with whom he performed in 16 Hindi films. The couple became the highest-paid B-grade actors, with Singh receiving nearly four [[lakh]] [[rupee]]s per film.<ref>{{cite news |agency=TNN |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-07-13/news-interviews/32649724_1_dara-singh-first-film-stunts |title=Mumtaz: Dara Singh's kindness got me my first role |date=13 July 2012 |access-date=14 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928094709/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-07-13/news-interviews/32649724_1_dara-singh-first-film-stunts |archive-date=28 September 2013 |work=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=dead }}</ref>
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 (1987 TV series)|Ramayan]]''.<ref name=Macho>{{cite web |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/dara-singh-bollywood-first-macho-man/1/207734.html |title=Dara Singh: Bollywood's first macho man |work=[[India Today]] |date=12 July 2012 |location=New Delhi |access-date=19 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717024701/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/dara-singh-bollywood-first-macho-man/1/207734.html |archive-date=17 July 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> He also had roles in numerous films, such as ''Veer Bheem Sen'' and ''Ramayan'', and in other television serials. He starred as [[Bhima]] in various [[Mahabharata]] movies, besides also playing Balram, he also starred as [[Shiva]] in various mythological movies.


'''Dara Singh''' (19 November 1928&nbsp;– 12 July 2012) was an [[India]]n wrestler and actor. He started acting in 1952. He was the first sportsman to be nominated to the [[Rajya Sabha]]. He worked as Hindi and Punjabi movie producer, director and writer. He acted on movie and television. He was known for his roles in ''[[Jab We Met]]'' (2007), ''[[Kal Ho Naa Ho]]'' (2003) and ''[[Mera Naam Joker]]'' (1972).
His last Hindi movie was ''[[Jab We Met]]'' and the last Punjabi movie released before his illness was ''[[Dil Apna Punjabi]]''. He acted in [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Punjabi|National Award-winning]] film ''Main Maa Punjab Dee'' directed by Balwant Singh Dullat. He directed seven Punjabi films including ''Sawa Lakh Se Ek Ladaun'', ''Nanak Dukhiya Sub Sansar'', ''Dhyanu Bhagat'' and ''Rab Dian Rakhan''. He also directed two films in Hindi; ''Bhakti Mein Shakti'' and ''Rustom'' (1982), which were produced and directed under the banner "Dara Film" which he set up in 1970.<ref name=Encyclo/>
Dara Singh acted as a wrestler named Dara Singh in a Malayalam film Mutharam Kunnu (PO).


Singh died on 12 July 2012 at his home in [[Mumbai]], India from [[cardiac arrest]], aged 83.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://zeenews.india.com/etertainment/celebrity/dara-singh-passes-away-after-prolonged-illness_115095.htm | title= Dara Singh taken home, doctors say less chance of recovery| date= 10 July 2012}}</ref>
====Dara Studio====
Singh was the owner of Dara Studio<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.darastudio.com/|title=Dara Studio|access-date=11 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111118181402/http://www.darastudio.com/|archive-date=18 November 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> at Mohali, District [[Mohali]], Punjab. Dara Film Studio was founded in 1978. The studio was operational from 1980 as a film studio.
 
===Politics===
Singh joined the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] in January 1998.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dara Singh joins BJP|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/1998/jan/31dara.htm|website=Rediff.com|access-date=3 May 2017|date=31 January 1998|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908111835/http://www.rediff.com/news/1998/jan/31dara.htm|archive-date=8 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> He became the first sportsperson to be nominated to the Rajya Sabha&nbsp;– 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]].<ref name="toi">{{cite news |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-07-12/news-interviews/32647460_1_dara-singh-watan-se-door-kokilaben-ambani-hospital |title=Dara Singh taken home |date=12 July 2012 |agency=TNN |access-date=12 July 2012 |location=Mumbai |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021055740/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-07-12/news-interviews/32647460_1_dara-singh-watan-se-door-kokilaben-ambani-hospital |archive-date=21 October 2013 |work=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="toi2">{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2004-04-20/india/28343096_1_dharmendra-nomination-papers-sunny-and-bobby|title=Hema garam, won't canvass for Dharam|date=18 June 2009|agency=TNN|access-date=15 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811043339/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2004-04-20/india/28343096_1_dharmendra-nomination-papers-sunny-and-bobby|archive-date=11 August 2011|work=[[The Times of India]]|url-status=dead}}</ref>
 
=== Comics ===
Singh's son Vindu Dara Singh, launched first comic book ''The Epic Journey of the Great Dara Singh'' at Oxford Bookstore in New Delhi in February 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/books/book-launches/vindu-dara-singh-launches-comic-book/articleshow/67846928.cms|title=Vindu Dara Singh launches comic book - Times of India|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=14 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190215093032/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/books/book-launches/vindu-dara-singh-launches-comic-book/articleshow/67846928.cms|archive-date=15 February 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
 
==Personal life==
Singh married twice. He had three sons and three daughters, including Parduman Randhawa and [[Vindu Dara Singh]].<ref name="toi20120712" /> His brother [[Randhawa (wrestler)|Randhawa]] was also a wrestler and actor.
 
==Death==
Singh was admitted into [[Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital]] on 7 July 2012 following a massive [[heart attack]]. Two days later, it was confirmed that he had brain damage due to the lack of blood flow.<ref>{{cite news |title=Wrestler-actor Dara Singh dies |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/entertainment-others/wrestleractor-dara-singh-dies/ |access-date=20 January 2021 |work=The Indian Express |date=11 July 2012 |language=en}}</ref> He was discharged from hospital on 11 July 2012, citing that nothing can be done to prolong life, and died the next day at his home in Mumbai.<ref>{{cite news| url= http://zeenews.india.com/etertainment/celebrity/dara-singh-passes-away-after-prolonged-illness_115095.htm| title= Dara Singh taken home, doctors say less chance of recovery| date= 10 July 2012| access-date= 14 July 2012| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131021052144/http://zeenews.india.com/etertainment/celebrity/dara-singh-passes-away-after-prolonged-illness_115095.htm| archive-date= 21 October 2013| url-status= live}}</ref> He was [[cremated]] at [[Juhu]] [[crematorium]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://in.news.yahoo.com/hundreds-attend-dara-singhs-funeral-mumbai-114031818.html|title=Hundreds attend Dara Singh's funeral in Mumbai|date=12 July 2012|publisher=[[Yahoo]] India news|access-date=12 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120715234847/http://in.news.yahoo.com/hundreds-attend-dara-singhs-funeral-mumbai-114031818.html|archive-date=15 July 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2012/07/legendary-indian-wrestler-dara-singh-passes-away-554255/|title=Legendary Indian Wrestler Dara Singh Passes Away, WWE Stars Comment|date=12 July 2012|website=Wrestling Inc.|access-date=20 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220170758/https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2012/07/legendary-indian-wrestler-dara-singh-passes-away-554255/|archive-date=20 December 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
 
== Awards and recognition ==
In 1996 Singh was inducted into the [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame]]. In 2016, Dara was included in the list India's top wrestlers of all time.<ref>{{Cite news|date=26 August 2016|title=India's top wrestlers of all time|work=India Today|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/gk-current-affairs/story/indias-best-wrestler-336857-2016-08-26|access-date=19 April 2020}}</ref> On 7 April 2018 [[WWE]] inducted him in [[WWE Hall of Fame]] Legacy [[WWE Hall of Fame (2018)|class of 2018]].<ref name="HoF">{{cite news |title=WWE inducts Dara Singh in WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2018 |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/wwe/story/wwe-inducts-dara-singh-in-wwe-hall-of-fame-class-of-2018-1207491-2018-04-08 |access-date=17 September 2020 |work=India Today |date=8 April 2018 |language=en}}</ref>
 
==Filmography==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
|-
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Title
! scope="col" width=65 |Director
! scope="col" width=65 |Producer
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}}
|-
|-
| 1970
| ''[[Nanak Dukhiya Sub Sansar]]''
|{{yes}}
|{{no}}
|
|
|-
| 1973
|''[[Mera Desh Mera Dharam]]''
|{{yes}}
|{{no}}
|
|<ref name=Encyclo/>
|-
| 1974
| ''Bhagat Dhanna Jatt''
|{{yes}}
|{{no}}
|
|
|-
| 1976
| ''[[Sawa Lakh Se Ek Ladaun]]''
|{{yes}}
|{{no}}
|
|
|-
| 1978
| ''Dhyanu Bhagat''
|{{yes}}
|{{no}}
|
|
|-
| 1978
| ''[[Bhakti Mein Shakti]]''
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|
|<ref name=Encyclo/><ref name="Bollywood Hungama">{{cite web|url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/bhakti-mein-shakti/cast/|title=Bhakti Mein Shakti Cast & Crew- Bollywood Hungama|publisher=Bollywood Hungama|access-date=13 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214002556/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/bhakti-mein-shakti/cast/|archive-date=14 February 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| 1982
| ''Rustom''
|{{yes}}
|{{no}}
|
|<ref name=Encyclo/>
|-
|-
| 1994
| ''Karan''
|{{no}}
|{{yes}}
|
|
|}
 
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Acting roles
|-
! Year !! Title !! Role !! Notes
!Ref.
|-
| 1952 || ''[[Sangdil (1952 film)|Sangdil]]''<ref name=toi/> || ||
|
|-
| 1954 || ''[[Pehli Jhalak]]''<ref name=Encyclo>{{cite book|title=Encyclopaedia of Hindi Cinema |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8y8vN9A14nkC&pg=PT653 |author1=Gulzar |first2=Govind |last2=Nihalani |first3=Saibal |last3=Chatterjee |publisher=Popular Prakashan |year=2003 |page=629 |isbn=8179910660 |access-date=19 July 2012}}</ref> || Wrestler Dara Singh ||
|
|-
|1960
|''[[Engal Selvi]]''
|
|[[Tamil cinema|Tamil film]]
|<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/the-time-when-king-kong-almost-hit-him/article3642895.ece|title=The time when KING KONG almost hit him|last=MANMADHAN|first=PREMA|work=The Hindu|access-date=25 April 2017|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215013344/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/the-time-when-king-kong-almost-hit-him/article3642895.ece|archive-date=15 February 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| 1962 || ''[[King Kong (1962 film)|King Kong]]''<ref name="Encyclo" /> || Jingu / King Kong ||
|
|-
| 1963 || ''[[Faulad]]''<ref name="Encyclo" /> || Faulad Singh ||
|
|-
| 1963 || ''[[Rustom-E-Baghdad]]''<ref name="toi" /> || Dara/Rustom-E-Baghdad ||
|
|-
| 1963 || ''[[Awara Abdulla]]''<ref name="Macho" /> || Abdulla ||
|
|-
| 1964 || ''[[Samson (1964 film)|Samson]]''<ref name="Encyclo" /> || Samson ||
|
|-
| 1964 || ''[[Aaya Toofan (1964 film)|Aaya Toofan]]'' || Deepu ||
|
|-
| 1964 || ''[[Jagga (film)|Jagga]]'' || Jagga Daku ||
|
|-
| 1964 || ''[[Aandhi Aur Toofan]]''<ref name="Macho" /> || ||
|
|-
| 1964 || ''[[Darasingh: Ironman]]''<ref name="Macho" /> || Dara Singh ||
|
|-
| 1965 || ''[[Rustom-E-Hind]]''<ref name="Encyclo" /> ||  ||
|
|-
| 1965 || ''[[Boxer (1965 film)|Boxer]]''<ref name="Macho" /> || ||
|
 
|-
|1965
|Tarzan comes to Delhi<ref>{{Citation|title=Tarzan Comes to Delhi (1965) - IMDb|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0176219/|language=en-US|access-date=2021-09-02}}</ref>
|Tarzan
|
|
|-
| 1965 || ''[[Sher Dil]]''<ref name="toi" /> || ||
|
|-
| 1965 || ''[[Raaka]]''<ref name="toi" /> || ||
|
|-
| 1965 || ''[[Saat Samundar Paar]]'' || ||
|
|-
| 1965 || ''[[Sikandar-E-Azam]]''<ref name="toi" /><ref name="Encyclo" /> || Alexander ||
|
|-
| 1965 || ''[[Lootera]]''<ref name="Macho" /> || ||
|
|-
| 1966  || [[Dulla Bhatti]] ||Dulla Bhatti|| Punjabi Movie
|
|-
| 1966 || ''[[Naujawan (1966 film)|Naujawan]]''<ref name="Encyclo" /> || ||
|
|-
| 1966 || ''[[Veer Bajrang]]''<ref name="Encyclo" /> || ||
|
|-
| 1966 || ''Husn Ka Ghulam '' || ||
|
|-
| 1966 || ''[[Dada]]'' || ||
|
|-
| 1966 || ''[[Daku Mangal Singh]]''<ref name="Macho" /> || Daku Mangal Singh / Kumar || {{Clarify|date=September 2020|reason=What does the '/' mean? Is this a dual role? No "Kumar" mentioned in the film's article. Similar concern for film Lambhardarni. }}
|
|-
| 1966 || ''[[Jawan Mard]]'' || ||
|
|-
| 1967 || ''[[Chand Par Chadayee]]'' || ||
|
|-
| 1967 || ''[[Do Dushman]]'' || ||
|
|-
| 1967 || ''[[Watan Se Door]]''<ref name="toi" /> || ||
|
|-
| 1967 || ''[[Nasihat (1967 film)|Nasihat]]'' || ||
|
|-
| 1968 || ''[[Jung Aur Aman]]''<ref name="Macho" /> || ||
|
|-
| 1968 || ''[[Balram Shri Krishna]]'' || [[Balram]] ||
|
|-
| 1969 ||  ''[[Danka (film)|Danka]]''  ||  ||
|
|-
| 1969 || ''[[Thief of Baghdad (1969 film)|Thief of Baghdad]]''<ref name="Encyclo" /> || ||
|
|-
| 1969 || ''[[Faulad Ki Aulad]]'' || ||
|
|-
| 1969 || ''[[Toofan (1969 film)|Toofan]]'' || Badal ||
|
|-
| 1970 || ''[[Choron Ka Chor]]'' || Ashok ||
|
|-
| 1970 || [[Nanak Dukhiya Sub Sansar|Hudd kar di]] || Devendra Singh Dhanowa ||
|
|-
| 1970 || ''[[Ilzaam (1970 film)|Ilzaam]]'' || Raju/Kishan ||
|
|-
| 1970 || ''[[Mera Naam Joker]]''<ref name="toi" /><ref name="Encyclo" /> || Sher Singh ||
|
|-
| 1970 || ''[[Nanak Dukhiya Sab Sansar]]''<ref name="Macho" /> || Kartar Singh || Punjabi film
|
|-
| 1971 || ''[[Kabhi Dhoop Kabhi Chhaon]]''<ref name="Macho" /> || ||
|
|-
| 1971 || ''[[Ramu Ustad]]'' || Ramu ||
|
|-
| 1971 || ''[[Tulsi Vivah (film)|Tulsi Vivah]]'' || Bhagwan Shiv ||
|
|-
| 1971 || ''[[Anand (1971 film)|Anand]]''<ref name="Encyclo" /> || Pahalwan || Guest appearance
|
|-
| 1972 || ''[[Aankhon Aankhon Mein]]''<ref name="Macho" /> || Pahelwan ||
|
|-
| 1972 || ''[[Hari Darshan]]'' || Bhagwan Shiv ||
|
|-
| 1972 || ''[[Lalkaar]]'' || ||
|
|-
| 1972 || ''[[Mele Mitran De]]'' || || [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]] film
|
|-
| 1972 || ''[[Sultana Daku (1972 film)|Sultana Daku]]'' || ||
|
|-
| 1975 || ''[[Warrant (film)|Warrant]]''<ref name="Macho" /> || Pyaara Singh ||
|
|-
| 1973 || ''[[Hum Sab Chor Hain (1973 film)|Hum Sab Chor Hain]]'' || ||
|
|-
| 1973 || ''[[Mera Desh Mera Dharam]]'' || ||
|
|-
| 1974 || ''[[Kuwara Baap]]''<ref name="Encyclo" /> || ||
|
|-
| 1974 || ''Amar Saheed Bhagat Singh'' || Kaher Singh || ||
|
|-
| 1974 || ''[[Bhagat Dhanna Jatt]]'' || Dhanna Jatt ||
|
|-
| 1974 || ''[[Dukh Bhanjan Tera Naam]]'' || Daku Daulay Khan ||
|
|-
| 1974 || ''[[Har Har Mahadev]]''<ref name="Macho" /> || Bhagwan Shiv ||
|
|-
|1974 || ''Satguru Teri Oat'' ||
||Punjabi Movie||
|-
| 1974 || ''[[Kisan Aur Bhagwan]]'' || Dhanna ||
|
|-
| 1974 || ''[[Zehreela Insaan]]'' || ||
|
|-
| 1975 || ''[[Dharam Karam]]''<ref name="toi" /> || Ustaad ji ||
|
|-
| 1975 || ''[[Dharmatma]]'' || Pahelwan ||
|
|-
| 1976 || ''[[Bajrangbali (film)|Bajrangbali]]''<ref name="Encyclo" /><ref name="Macho" /> || 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 || ''[[Jai Mata Di]]'' ||Balbir|| Punjabi Movie
|
|-
| 1977 || ''[[Ram Bharose]]'' || Sardar Vikram Singh ||
|
|-
| 1978 || ''[[Bhakti Mein Shakti]]'' || Dyanu Bhakt ||
|
|-
| 1978 || ''[[Dhyanu Bhagat]]'' || Dhyanu Bhagat || Punjabi film
|
|-
| 1978 || ''[[Nalayak]]''<ref name="Encyclo" /> || Pahelwan ||
|
|-
| 1978 || ''[[Sone Ka Dil Lohe Ke Haath]]'' || Nihalchand ||
|
|-
| 1978 || ''[[Giddha]]'' || Bhalwaan Dulla ji ||
|
|-
| 1979 || ''[[Chambal Ki Raani]]'' || ||
|
|-
| 1979 || ''[[Jai Mata Di (1977 film)|Jai Mata Di]]'' || ||
|
|-
|1980 ||''[[Shiv Shakti (1980 film)]]'' || ||
|
|-
|1980 ||''[[Banmanush]]''
|-
| 1981 || ''[[Guru Suleman Chela Pahelwan]]'' || ||
|
|-
| 1981 || ''[[Khel Muqaddar Ka]]'' || ||
|
|-
| 1982 || ''[[Main Intequam Loonga]]''<ref name="Encyclo" /> || Ajay Kumar ||
|
|-
| 1982 || ''Rustom'' || Rustom Mangal Singh ||
|
|-
| 1983 || ''[[Babul Da Vehra]]'' || || Punjabi film
|
|-
| 1983 || ''[[Unkhili Muttiar]]'' || Mechanic || Punjabi film
|
|-
| 1984 ||'' Maya Bazar '' || Ghatotkach || Gujarati Movie
|-
| 1984 || ''[[Aan Aur Shaan]]'' || ||
|
|-
| 1985 || ''[[Mutharamkunnu P.O.]]''<ref>{{cite news|title=How Dara Singh floored Mukesh ...|url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/how-dara-singh-floored-mukesh/article3635199.ece|access-date=8 February 2013|newspaper=The Hindu|date=13 July 2012}}</ref> || Himself || [[Malayalam language|Malayalam]] film
|
|-
| 1985 || ''[[Mard (1985 film)|Mard]]''<ref name="toi" /><ref name="Encyclo" /> || Raja Azaad Singh ||
|
|-
| 1985 || ''[[Vikram Aur Betaal]]'' || Virvar || TV; episode 2
|
|-
| 1986 || ''[[Karma (1986 film)|Karma]]''<ref name="Encyclo" /><ref name="Macho" /> || Dharma ||
|
|-
| 1986 || ''[[Bulekha]]'' || ||
|
|-
| 1986 || ''[[Krishna-Krishna]]'' || [[Bhagwan Shri Balram]] ||
|
|-
| 1986 || ''[[Ramayan (1987 TV series)|Ramayan]]''<ref name="toi" /> || [[Hanuman]] || TV Series
|
|-
| 1986 || ''[[Sajna Sath Nibhana]]'' || Joseph ||
|
|-
| 1986 || ''[[Maaveeran]]''<ref name="thehindubusinessline">{{cite news|title=Bollywood's first He-man|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/article3630584.ece|access-date=8 February 2013|newspaper=The Hindu Businessline|date=12 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120715015106/http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/article3630584.ece|archive-date=15 July 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> ||  || Tamil film adaptation of Mard.<ref name="thehindubusinessline" />
|
|-
| 1988 || ''[[Maula Jatt]]'' || Maula Jatt & Dharma ||
|
|-
| 1988 || ''[[Paanch Fauladi]]'' || Ustadji (Fauladi #1) ||
|
|-
| 1988 || ''[[Mahaveera]]'' || Delar Singh ||
|
|-
| 1988 || ''[[Mahabharat (1988 TV series)|Mahabharat]]''<ref name="Macho" /> || [[Hanuman]] || TV Series
|
|-
| 1989 || ''[[Shehzaade]]'' || Jailor ||
|
|-
| 1989 || ''[[Elaan-E-Jung]]''<ref name="Macho" /> || Bheema ||
|
|-
| 1989 || ''[[Gharana]]'' || Vijay Singh Pahelwan ||
|
|-
| 1990 || ''[[Tera Mera Pyar]]''<ref name="Macho" /> || Preet's father ||
|
|-
| 1990 || ''Naaka Bandi''<ref name="Encyclo" /><ref name="Macho" /> || Dharam Singh ||
|
|-
| 1990 || ''[[Pratiggya]]'' || Daku Delavar Singh ||
|
|-
| 1990 || ''[[Sheran De Putt Sher]]'' || Subedaar ||
|
|-
| 1991 || ''[[Dharam Sankat]]'' || Dara (the dacoit) ||
|
|-
| 1991 || ''[[Ajooba]]''<ref name="Encyclo" /> || Maharaja Karan Singh ||
|
|-
| 1991 || ''[[Maut Ki Sazaa]]'' || Pyara Singh ||
|
|-
| 1992 || ''[[Prem Deewane]]'' || Loha Singh ||
|
|-
| 1993 || ''[[Bechain]]'' || Captain Dara ||
|
|-
| 1993 || ''[[Anmol]]'' || Dara Shamsher, Zafar's father ||
|
|-
| 1994 || ''Karan'' || ||
|
|-
| 1995 || ''[[Ram Shastra]]''<ref name="Encyclo" /> || Police Commissioner ||
|
|-
|1995
|[[Jai Veer Hanuman]]
|[[Kesari (Ramayana)|Kesari]]
|TV serial
|
|-
| 1997 || ''[[Lav Kush]]''<ref name="Encyclo" /> || Hanuman ||
|
|-
| 1997 || ''[[Main Maa Punjab Dee]]'' || || Punjabi film
|
|-
| 1998 || ''[[Guru Gobind Singh]]'' || ||
|
|-
| 1998 || ''[[Auto Driver]]''<ref>{{cite web|title=Auto Driver (1998)|url=http://www.bharathcinemas.info/auto-driver-1998-telugu/|access-date=8 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402123737/http://www.bharathcinemas.info/auto-driver-1998-telugu/|archive-date=2 April 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> || || [[Telugu film]]
|
|-
| 1998 || ''[[Qahar]]'' || || Guest appearance
|
|-
| 1999 || ''[[Dillagi (1999 film)|Dillagi]]''<ref name="Encyclo" /><ref name="Macho" /> || Veer Singh ||
|
|-
| 1999 || ''[[Zulmi]]'' || Baba Thakur ||
|
|-
| 1999 || ''[[Door Nahin Nankana]]'' || Bhakhtawar Singh ||
|
|-
| 1999 || ''[[Hudd Kar Di]]'' || Devender Singh Dhanwa/Papaji || TV series
|
|-
| 2000 || ''[[Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge]]''<ref name="Encyclo" /><ref name="Macho" /> || Sapna's grandfather || Guest appearance
|
|-
| 2001 || ''[[Farz (2001 film)|Farz]]'' || Tayaji ||
|
|-
| 2002 || ''[[Shararat (2002 film)|Shararat]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mumbaimirror.com/article/30/2012071220120712143833441ff05ae08/Dara-Singh-dies-at-83.html |title=Dara Singh dies at 83 |agency=Reuters |work=[[Mumbai Mirror]] |date=12 July 2012 |access-date=19 July 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120715235822/http://www.mumbaimirror.com/article/30/2012071220120712143833441ff05ae08/Dara-Singh-dies-at-83.html |archive-date=15 July 2012 }}</ref> || Mr. Gujral ||
|
|-
| 2003 || ''[[Kal Ho Naa Ho]]''<ref name="Macho" /> || Pritam Chaddha ||
|
|-
| 2003 || ''[[Border Hindustan Ka]]'' || Jamail Singh ||
|
|-
| 2004 || ''[[Family Business (UK TV series)|Family Business]]'' || || TV series
|
|-
| 2006 || ''[[Kyaa Hoga Nimmo Kaa]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/2012/jul/130712-Eijaz-Khan-talks-about-Dara-Singh.htm |title=Eijaz Khan talks about Dara Singh |date=13 July 2012 |location=Mumbai |publisher=[[Mid-Day]] |access-date=19 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120819004623/http://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/2012/jul/130712-Eijaz-Khan-talks-about-Dara-Singh.htm |archive-date=19 August 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> || Amardeep Sehgal (Dadaji) || TV series
|
|-
| 2006 || ''[[Dil Apna Punjabi]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2006/09/05/dil_apna_punjabi_2006_review.shtml |title=Dil Apna Punjabi (My Heart Is Punjabi) Review |author=Jaspreet Pandohar |date=20 August 2006 |access-date=19 July 2012 |publisher=[[BBC]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114065129/http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2006/09/05/dil_apna_punjabi_2006_review.shtml |archive-date=14 November 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> || Hardam Singh ||
|
|-
| 2007 || ''[[Jab We Met]]''<ref name="toi" /> || Geet's grandfather ||
|
|-
| 2012 || ''[[Ata Pata Lapata]]'' || Guest appearance  ||
|
|}
 
==Championships and accomplishments==
*'''World Wide Wrestling Association'''
**WWWA World Heavyweight Championship
*'''[[Maple Leaf Wrestling]]'''
**[[NWA Canadian Open Tag Team Championship]] (1 time)- with [[Yukon Eric]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/bios/s/stan-neilson/|title=Stan Neilson - OWW|access-date=20 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190627213856/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/bios/s/stan-neilson/|archive-date=27 June 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
* '''Indian promotions'''
**Commonwealth Championship<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/obituary-dara-singh-bollywoods-original-muscle-man/article3630470.ece |title=Obituary: Dara Singh — Bollywood's original muscle man|newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |date=12 July 2012}}</ref>
**[[Professional wrestling championship#World championships|World Wrestling Championship]]<ref name=Hero/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://mapleleafwrestling.blogspot.in/2010/01/mlg-varsity-singhs.html |title=MLG, Varsity, & The Singh's |publisher=[[Maple Leaf Wrestling]] |date=24 January 2010 |access-date=26 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120719034151/http://mapleleafwrestling.blogspot.in/2010/01/mlg-varsity-singhs.html |archive-date=19 July 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>
**Champion of Malaysia (1951)<ref>{{cite web |url= http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/ten-things-you-didnt-know-about-dara-singh-606046 |title= Ten things you didn't know about Dara Singh |publisher= [[NDTV]] |date= 12 July 2012 |access-date= 26 March 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160409124351/http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/ten-things-you-didnt-know-about-dara-singh-606046 |archive-date= 9 April 2016 |url-status= live }}</ref>
**Rustam-e-Hind (1954)<ref name=toi/>
**Rustam-e-Punjab (1966)
*'''[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]'''
**[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame|Hall of Fame (Class of 1996)]]
*'''[[WWE]]'''
**[[WWE Hall of Fame]] ([[WWE Hall of Fame (2018)|Class of 2018]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/amp/shows/wwe-hall-of-fame/wwe-hall-of-fame-2018/article/legacy-inductions|title=Congratulations to the 2018 WWE Hall of Fame Legacy inductees|publisher=[[WWE]]|date=7 April 2018|access-date=7 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408073504/http://www.wwe.com/amp/shows/wwe-hall-of-fame/wwe-hall-of-fame-2018/article/legacy-inductions|archive-date=8 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist|30em}}


==Other websites==
==Further reading==
{{Source|I|S}}
*{{cite book |last=Vitali |first=Valentina |title=Hindi Action Cinema: Industries, Narratives, Bodies |year=2008 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-569244-0 |pages=144–180 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pkdlHwAACAAJ}}
{{commonscat-inline}}
 
==Autobiography==
* Dara Singh ''Meri Atmkatha'' (en. [[Autobiography|My Autobiography]] by Dara Singh) 1993 Praveen Prakashan
 
==External links==
*[http://www.dara-singh.com/ Official Website]
*[http://www.dara-singh.com/ Official Website]
*{{IMDb name|id=0802107}}
*{{IMDb name|id=0802107}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/dara-singh|title=Dara Singh' WWE profile}}
{{Indian martial arts}}
{{WWE Hall of Fame Legacy Wing}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Singh, Dara}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Singh, Dara}}
[[Category:20th-century Indian film directors]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian male actors]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian male actors]]
[[Category:1928 births]]
[[Category:1928 births]]
[[Category:2012 deaths]]
[[Category:2012 deaths]]
[[Category:Deaths from cardiac arrest]]
[[Category:Bharatiya Janata Party politicians from Punjab]]
[[Category:Indian movie actors]]
[[Category:Film directors from Mumbai]]
[[Category:Television actors]]
[[Category:Film producers from Mumbai]]
[[Category:Indian movie directors]]
[[Category:Hindi film producers]]
[[Category:Wrestlers]]
[[Category:Hindi-language film directors]]
[[Category:Indian movie producers]]
[[Category:Indian actor-politicians]]
[[Category:Indian sportspeople]]
[[Category:Indian male film actors]]
[[Category:Indian writers]]
[[Category:Indian male professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:Punjabi people]]
[[Category:Indian male television actors]]
 
[[Category:Male actors from Mumbai]]
 
[[Category:Male actors in Hindi cinema]]
{{actor-stub}}
[[Category:Male actors in Malayalam cinema]]
[[Category:Male actors in Punjabi cinema]]
[[Category:Nominated members of the Rajya Sabha]]
[[Category:Politicians from Mumbai]]
[[Category:Indian Sikhs]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Amritsar district]]
[[Category:WWE Hall of Fame Legacy inductees]]
[[Category:Professional wrestlers from Punjab, India]]

Latest revision as of 17:49, 11 January 2022


For other uses, see Dara Singh (disambiguation).

Dara Singh
Dara Singh
Singh at Pran's birthday party in February 2010
Born
Deedar Singh Randhawa

(1928-11-19)19 November 1928
Dharmuchak, Amritsar District, Punjab, British India
(now Punjab, India)[1]
Died12 July 2012(2012-07-12) (aged 83)
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
NationalityIndian
OccupationProfessional wrestler, actor, politician
Years active1947–1983 (wrestler)
1950–2012 (actor)
2003–2009 (politician)
Height1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)[2]
TitleRustam-e-Hind
Political partyBharatiya Janata Party
Spouse(s)
Bachno Kaur
(
m. 1942⁠–⁠1952)

Surjit Kaur
(
m. 1961)
Children6 including;
Vindu Dara Singh
FamilySee Randhawa family
Ring name(s)Dara Singh
Billed height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[2]
Billed weight127 kg (280 lb)
Billed fromPunjab, India
Trained byHarnam Singh
Debut1948
Retired1983
Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha
In office
27 August 2003 – 26 August 2009
Websitedara-singh.com

Dara Singh Randhawa (born Deedar Singh Randhawa; 19 November 1928 – 12 July 2012) was an Indian professional wrestler, actor and politician. He started acting in 1952 and was the first sportsman to be nominated to the Rajya Sabha (upper house) of India.[3] He worked as Hindi and Punjabi film producer, director and writer, and he acted in films and television. He is known for his undefeated worldwide streak in wrestling and later being a successful movie star. He got defeated by Brahmdev Mishra of Gorakhpur in culcutta Dharmtalla.[4][5][6] His role of Hanuman in the film Bajrangbali (1976) and in Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan made him popular.[7] Singh was inducted into the Legacy Category of the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2018.[8]

Early life[edit | edit source]

Singh was born in a Jat family as Deedar Singh Randhawa on 19 November 1928[9][10] in the village of Dharmuchak in the Majha area of the Punjab region of India. At the time, it was still under British Raj colonial rule.[11][12]

Career[edit | edit source]

Professional wrestling[edit | edit source]

Singh wrestling King Kong at JWA in 1955

He came to Singapore in 1947, where he worked in a drum-manufacturing mill and began his wrestling training under Harnam Singh in the Great World Stadium.[13] As an adult he was 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m) tall,[2] weighed 127 kilograms (280 lb) and had a chest measurement of 53 inches (130 cm). Due to his physique, he was encouraged to take up pehlwani, an Indian style of wrestling, in which he trained for several years. After switching to professional wrestling, he competed around the world with opponents such as Bill Verna, Firpo Zbyszko, John Da Silva, Rikidōzan, Danny Lynch and Ski Hi Lee. His flooring of King Kong is still remembered.[14]

In 1954 Dara competed in the Rustam-e-Hind (Champion of India) tournament where he won the final by defeating Tiger Joginder Singh and received a silver cup from Maharaja Hari Singh.[15] In 1959, he won the Commonwealth Championship by defeating George Gordienko at Calcutta. On 29 May 1968 in Bombay, his victory over Lou Thesz earned him the World championship.[16][17] According to Thesz, Singh was "an authentic wrestler, was superbly conditioned" and had no problem losing to the latter.[18] His last tournament, where he announced his retirement, was held in Delhi in June 1983.[19]

Films and television[edit | edit source]

Singh left his village for Singapore in 1948.[12] He started his career as an actor in 1952 with Sangdil.[20] He was a stunt film actor for many years and played his first lead role in Babubhai Mistry's film King Kong (1962).[21] From around 1963 he partnered often with Mumtaz, with whom he performed in 16 Hindi films. The couple became the highest-paid B-grade actors, with Singh receiving nearly four lakh rupees per film.[22]

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.[23] He also had roles in numerous films, such as Veer Bheem Sen and Ramayan, and in other television serials. He starred as Bhima in various Mahabharata movies, besides also playing Balram, he also starred as Shiva in various mythological movies.

His last Hindi movie was Jab We Met and the 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 including Sawa Lakh Se Ek Ladaun, Nanak Dukhiya Sub Sansar, Dhyanu Bhagat and Rab Dian Rakhan. He also directed two films in Hindi; Bhakti Mein Shakti and Rustom (1982), which were produced and directed under the banner "Dara Film" which he set up in 1970.[21] Dara Singh acted as a wrestler named Dara Singh in a Malayalam film Mutharam Kunnu (PO).

Dara Studio[edit | edit source]

Singh was the owner of Dara Studio[24] at Mohali, District Mohali, Punjab. Dara Film Studio was founded in 1978. The studio was operational from 1980 as a film studio.

Politics[edit | edit source]

Singh joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in January 1998.[25] He became the first sportsperson 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.[20][26]

Comics[edit | edit source]

Singh's son Vindu Dara Singh, launched first comic book The Epic Journey of the Great Dara Singh at Oxford Bookstore in New Delhi in February 2019.[27]

Personal life[edit | edit source]

Singh married twice. He had three sons and three daughters, including Parduman Randhawa and Vindu Dara Singh.[1] His brother Randhawa was also a wrestler and actor.

Death[edit | edit source]

Singh was admitted into Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital on 7 July 2012 following a massive heart attack. Two days later, it was confirmed that he had brain damage due to the lack of blood flow.[28] He was discharged from hospital on 11 July 2012, citing that nothing can be done to prolong life, and died the next day at his home in Mumbai.[29] He was cremated at Juhu crematorium.[30][31]

Awards and recognition[edit | edit source]

In 1996 Singh was inducted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame. In 2016, Dara was included in the list India's top wrestlers of all time.[32] On 7 April 2018 WWE inducted him in WWE Hall of Fame Legacy class of 2018.[8]

Filmography[edit | edit source]

Year Title Director Producer Notes Ref.
1970 Nanak Dukhiya Sub Sansar Yes No
1973 Mera Desh Mera Dharam Yes No [21]
1974 Bhagat Dhanna Jatt Yes No
1976 Sawa Lakh Se Ek Ladaun Yes No
1978 Dhyanu Bhagat Yes No
1978 Bhakti Mein Shakti Yes Yes [21][33]
1982 Rustom Yes No [21]
1994 Karan No Yes
Acting roles
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1952 Sangdil[20]
1954 Pehli Jhalak[21] Wrestler Dara Singh
1960 Engal Selvi Tamil film [34]
1962 King Kong[21] Jingu / King Kong
1963 Faulad[21] Faulad Singh
1963 Rustom-E-Baghdad[20] Dara/Rustom-E-Baghdad
1963 Awara Abdulla[23] Abdulla
1964 Samson[21] Samson
1964 Aaya Toofan Deepu
1964 Jagga Jagga Daku
1964 Aandhi Aur Toofan[23]
1964 Darasingh: Ironman[23] Dara Singh
1965 Rustom-E-Hind[21]
1965 Boxer[23]
1965 Tarzan comes to Delhi[35] Tarzan
1965 Sher Dil[20]
1965 Raaka[20]
1965 Saat Samundar Paar
1965 Sikandar-E-Azam[20][21] Alexander
1965 Lootera[23]
1966 Dulla Bhatti Dulla Bhatti Punjabi Movie
1966 Naujawan[21]
1966 Veer Bajrang[21]
1966 Husn Ka Ghulam
1966 Dada
1966 Daku Mangal Singh[23] Daku Mangal Singh / Kumar [clarification needed]
1966 Jawan Mard
1967 Chand Par Chadayee
1967 Do Dushman
1967 Watan Se Door[20]
1967 Nasihat
1968 Jung Aur Aman[23]
1968 Balram Shri Krishna Balram
1969 Danka
1969 Thief of Baghdad[21]
1969 Faulad Ki Aulad
1969 Toofan Badal
1970 Choron Ka Chor Ashok
1970 Hudd kar di Devendra Singh Dhanowa
1970 Ilzaam Raju/Kishan
1970 Mera Naam Joker[20][21] Sher Singh
1970 Nanak Dukhiya Sab Sansar[23] Kartar Singh Punjabi film
1971 Kabhi Dhoop Kabhi Chhaon[23]
1971 Ramu Ustad Ramu
1971 Tulsi Vivah Bhagwan Shiv
1971 Anand[21] Pahalwan Guest appearance
1972 Aankhon Aankhon Mein[23] Pahelwan
1972 Hari Darshan Bhagwan Shiv
1972 Lalkaar
1972 Mele Mitran De Punjabi film
1972 Sultana Daku
1975 Warrant[23] Pyaara Singh
1973 Hum Sab Chor Hain
1973 Mera Desh Mera Dharam
1974 Kuwara Baap[21]
1974 Amar Saheed Bhagat Singh Kaher Singh
1974 Bhagat Dhanna Jatt Dhanna Jatt
1974 Dukh Bhanjan Tera Naam Daku Daulay Khan
1974 Har Har Mahadev[23] Bhagwan Shiv
1974 Satguru Teri Oat Punjabi Movie
1974 Kisan Aur Bhagwan Dhanna
1974 Zehreela Insaan
1975 Dharam Karam[20] Ustaad ji
1975 Dharmatma Pahelwan
1976 Bajrangbali[21][23] 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 Jai Mata Di Balbir Punjabi Movie
1977 Ram Bharose Sardar Vikram Singh
1978 Bhakti Mein Shakti Dyanu Bhakt
1978 Dhyanu Bhagat Dhyanu Bhagat Punjabi film
1978 Nalayak[21] Pahelwan
1978 Sone Ka Dil Lohe Ke Haath Nihalchand
1978 Giddha Bhalwaan Dulla ji
1979 Chambal Ki Raani
1979 Jai Mata Di
1980 Shiv Shakti (1980 film)
1980 Banmanush
1981 Guru Suleman Chela Pahelwan
1981 Khel Muqaddar Ka
1982 Main Intequam Loonga[21] Ajay Kumar
1982 Rustom Rustom Mangal Singh
1983 Babul Da Vehra Punjabi film
1983 Unkhili Muttiar Mechanic Punjabi film
1984 Maya Bazar Ghatotkach Gujarati Movie
1984 Aan Aur Shaan
1985 Mutharamkunnu P.O.[36] Himself Malayalam film
1985 Mard[20][21] Raja Azaad Singh
1985 Vikram Aur Betaal Virvar TV; episode 2
1986 Karma[21][23] Dharma
1986 Bulekha
1986 Krishna-Krishna Bhagwan Shri Balram
1986 Ramayan[20] Hanuman TV Series
1986 Sajna Sath Nibhana Joseph
1986 Maaveeran[37] Tamil film adaptation of Mard.[37]
1988 Maula Jatt Maula Jatt & Dharma
1988 Paanch Fauladi Ustadji (Fauladi #1)
1988 Mahaveera Delar Singh
1988 Mahabharat[23] Hanuman TV Series
1989 Shehzaade Jailor
1989 Elaan-E-Jung[23] Bheema
1989 Gharana Vijay Singh Pahelwan
1990 Tera Mera Pyar[23] Preet's father
1990 Naaka Bandi[21][23] Dharam Singh
1990 Pratiggya Daku Delavar Singh
1990 Sheran De Putt Sher Subedaar
1991 Dharam Sankat Dara (the dacoit)
1991 Ajooba[21] Maharaja Karan Singh
1991 Maut Ki Sazaa Pyara Singh
1992 Prem Deewane Loha Singh
1993 Bechain Captain Dara
1993 Anmol Dara Shamsher, Zafar's father
1994 Karan
1995 Ram Shastra[21] Police Commissioner
1995 Jai Veer Hanuman Kesari TV serial
1997 Lav Kush[21] Hanuman
1997 Main Maa Punjab Dee Punjabi film
1998 Guru Gobind Singh
1998 Auto Driver[38] Telugu film
1998 Qahar Guest appearance
1999 Dillagi[21][23] Veer Singh
1999 Zulmi Baba Thakur
1999 Door Nahin Nankana Bhakhtawar Singh
1999 Hudd Kar Di Devender Singh Dhanwa/Papaji TV series
2000 Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge[21][23] Sapna's grandfather Guest appearance
2001 Farz Tayaji
2002 Shararat[39] Mr. Gujral
2003 Kal Ho Naa Ho[23] Pritam Chaddha
2003 Border Hindustan Ka Jamail Singh
2004 Family Business TV series
2006 Kyaa Hoga Nimmo Kaa[40] Amardeep Sehgal (Dadaji) TV series
2006 Dil Apna Punjabi[41] Hardam Singh
2007 Jab We Met[20] Geet's grandfather
2012 Ata Pata Lapata Guest appearance

Championships and accomplishments[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Dara Singh Passes Away". The Times of India. 12 July 2012. Archived from the original on 16 September 2015. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Wrestler Finds Acting Easy, Is Idol Of India's Morie Fans, p.2". Bombay: The Milwaukee Journal. 9 May 1966.
  3. ↑ "Remembering Dara Singh: 13 facts about India's most-loved wrestler". India Today. 19 November 2016. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  4. ↑ Pandey, Dr Ved Prakash (4 July 2017). Shaharnama Gorakhpur (in हिन्दी). Vāṇī Prakāśana. ISBN 978-93-5229-698-9.
  5. ↑ "The Wrestler's Body". publishing.cdlib.org. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
  6. ↑ "City duel that 'broke' Dara - Fans recall champ's stint in akhara on the bank of the Hooghly". www.telegraphindia.com. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  7. ↑ PTI (13 July 2012). "Dara Singh: The original muscle man of Bollywood". The Economic Times. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "WWE inducts Dara Singh in WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2018". India Today. 8 April 2018. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  9. ↑ "Obituary: Dara Singh - the champion loses his final fight". Hindustan Times. IANS. 12 July 2012. Archived from the original on 13 July 2012. Retrieved 14 August 2013.
  10. ↑ Kahol, Vikas (13 July 2012). "People at ancestral village remember legendary wrestler and film actor Dara Singh". India Today. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
  11. ↑ Lentz, Harris M. (2013). Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2012. McFarland & Company. p. 266. ISBN 978-0786470631. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Rana, Yudhvir (13 July 2012). "Little Dara holds ray of hope in wrestler's village". The Times of India. TNN. Archived from the original on 21 October 2013. Retrieved 14 July 2012.
  13. ↑ ""Meri Atmakatha" (Autobiography)". Dara Singh. 1989. Archived from the original on 20 November 2011. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
  14. ↑ "When Rustam-e-Hind lifted King Kong off his feet and flung him". Times of India. 13 July 2012. Archived from the original on 11 January 2018. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
  15. ↑ "Free-Style Wrestling: Dara Singh Crowned Champion of Bharat". Bombay: The New Indian Express. 13 June 1954. Archived from the original on 14 November 2016.
  16. ↑ "Dara Singh, Wrestler and Bollywood Action Hero, Dies at 83". The New York Times. 14 July 2012. Archived from the original on 8 September 2017.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "Dara Singh: India's 'first all-action hero'". BBC News. Mumbai. 12 July 2012. Archived from the original on 8 September 2017. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  18. ↑ Oliver, Greg (13 July 2012). "Dara Singh was an Indian icon in wrestling, Bollywood". Slam Wrestling. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  19. ↑ Molinaro, John F. (2002). Marek, Jeff; Meltzer, Dave (eds.). The Top 100 Pro Wrestlers of All Time. Winding Stair Press. p. 199. ISBN 978-1-55366-305-8.
  20. ↑ 20.00 20.01 20.02 20.03 20.04 20.05 20.06 20.07 20.08 20.09 20.10 20.11 20.12 20.13 "Dara Singh taken home". The Times of India. Mumbai. TNN. 12 July 2012. Archived from the original on 21 October 2013. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
  21. ↑ 21.00 21.01 21.02 21.03 21.04 21.05 21.06 21.07 21.08 21.09 21.10 21.11 21.12 21.13 21.14 21.15 21.16 21.17 21.18 21.19 21.20 21.21 21.22 21.23 21.24 21.25 21.26 21.27 Gulzar; Nihalani, Govind; Chatterjee, Saibal (2003). Encyclopaedia of Hindi Cinema. Popular Prakashan. p. 629. ISBN 8179910660. Retrieved 19 July 2012.
  22. ↑ "Mumtaz: Dara Singh's kindness got me my first role". The Times of India. TNN. 13 July 2012. Archived from the original on 28 September 2013. Retrieved 14 July 2012.
  23. ↑ 23.00 23.01 23.02 23.03 23.04 23.05 23.06 23.07 23.08 23.09 23.10 23.11 23.12 23.13 23.14 23.15 23.16 23.17 23.18 23.19 23.20 23.21 "Dara Singh: Bollywood's first macho man". India Today. New Delhi. 12 July 2012. Archived from the original on 17 July 2012. Retrieved 19 July 2012.
  24. ↑ "Dara Studio". Archived from the original on 18 November 2011. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
  25. ↑ "Dara Singh joins BJP". Rediff.com. 31 January 1998. Archived from the original on 8 September 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  26. ↑ "Hema garam, won't canvass for Dharam". The Times of India. TNN. 18 June 2009. Archived from the original on 11 August 2011. Retrieved 15 February 2010.
  27. ↑ "Vindu Dara Singh launches comic book - Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 15 February 2019. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  28. ↑ "Wrestler-actor Dara Singh dies". The Indian Express. 11 July 2012. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  29. ↑ "Dara Singh taken home, doctors say less chance of recovery". 10 July 2012. Archived from the original on 21 October 2013. Retrieved 14 July 2012.
  30. ↑ "Hundreds attend Dara Singh's funeral in Mumbai". Yahoo India news. 12 July 2012. Archived from the original on 15 July 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
  31. ↑ "Legendary Indian Wrestler Dara Singh Passes Away, WWE Stars Comment". Wrestling Inc. 12 July 2012. Archived from the original on 20 December 2019. Retrieved 20 December 2019.
  32. ↑ "India's top wrestlers of all time". India Today. 26 August 2016. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  33. ↑ "Bhakti Mein Shakti Cast & Crew- Bollywood Hungama". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 14 February 2019. Retrieved 13 February 2019.
  34. ↑ MANMADHAN, PREMA. "The time when KING KONG almost hit him". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 15 February 2017. Retrieved 25 April 2017.
  35. ↑ Tarzan Comes to Delhi (1965) - IMDb, retrieved 2 September 2021
  36. ↑ "How Dara Singh floored Mukesh ..." The Hindu. 13 July 2012. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 "Bollywood's first He-man". The Hindu Businessline. 12 July 2012. Archived from the original on 15 July 2012. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
  38. ↑ "Auto Driver (1998)". Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
  39. ↑ "Dara Singh dies at 83". Mumbai Mirror. Reuters. 12 July 2012. Archived from the original on 15 July 2012. Retrieved 19 July 2012.
  40. ↑ "Eijaz Khan talks about Dara Singh". Mumbai: Mid-Day. 13 July 2012. Archived from the original on 19 August 2012. Retrieved 19 July 2012.
  41. ↑ Jaspreet Pandohar (20 August 2006). "Dil Apna Punjabi (My Heart Is Punjabi) Review". BBC. Archived from the original on 14 November 2012. Retrieved 19 July 2012.
  42. ↑ "Stan Neilson - OWW". Archived from the original on 27 June 2019. Retrieved 20 December 2019.
  43. ↑ "Obituary: Dara Singh — Bollywood's original muscle man". The Hindu. 12 July 2012.
  44. ↑ "MLG, Varsity, & The Singh's". Maple Leaf Wrestling. 24 January 2010. Archived from the original on 19 July 2012. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
  45. ↑ "Ten things you didn't know about Dara Singh". NDTV. 12 July 2012. Archived from the original on 9 April 2016. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
  46. ↑ "Congratulations to the 2018 WWE Hall of Fame Legacy inductees". WWE. 7 April 2018. Archived from the original on 8 April 2018. Retrieved 7 April 2018.

Further reading[edit | edit source]

Autobiography[edit | edit source]

  • Dara Singh Meri Atmkatha (en. My Autobiography by Dara Singh) 1993 Praveen Prakashan

External links[edit | edit source]

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