Dara Singh (Gurumukhi:ਦਾਰਾ ਸਿੰਘ, Birth: 19 November 1928[2] Place: Village Dharmoochak District Amritsar) is a wrestler and Indian film actor. He was born in a Jat Sikh family of Punjabi background. His full name is Dara Singh Randhava.
He was a wrestler before he started acting in Hindi films in 1962.
He was nominated member of Rajya Sabha by Bhartiya Janata Party during August 2003 – August 2009.
Career
Dara Singh was born to Balwant Kaur and Surat Singh Randhawa on 19 November 1928 in the village Dharmuchak of Amritsar district in Punjab. He was encouraged in wrestling due to his massive physique. He worked at his Farm as a kid.He was encouraged to study Pehlwani, an Indian style of wrestling, in the milked sand wrestling pits called akhara. Dara Singh was a favourite in wrestling tournaments in India. In addition to this, he wrestled on invitation of kings of Indian princely states and wrestled frequently in haats and melas (fairs and carnivals). He successfully competed against some of the greatest names in wrestling history and professional wrestlers in the United States.
Dara went to Singapore in 1947. Became the Champion of Malaysia (Indian style wrestling) by defeating Tarlok Singh in Kuala Lumpur. He has toured almost all far-east countries as a Professional Wrestler. Dara Singh returned to India in 1952 and became the Indian Champion in 1954.
He has toured all Commonwealth countries and defeated Oriental Champion King Kong, George Gordienko (Canada), John Desilva (New Zealand) and numerous more. He became the Commonwealth Champion in 1959.
He has toured in most of the wrestling countries and fought their champions. He defeated Lou Thesz (America) and became Champion of the World on 29 May 1968. He again visited countries world-wide and defended title of The World Champion. Dara Singh retired from the wrestling arena in 1983, Undefeated.
His top fights include Champion of Pakistan Mazid Akra, Shane Ali and Tariq Ali (Pakistan), prince Kumali (Champion of Africa), Japanese Great Rikidozan, European Champion Bill Robinson, Champion of England Patroch. David Taylor, Danny Lynch, Man Mountain Jack, Caswell Jack, George Burgers, Sky Hi, Lee and innumerable more. He is the only Professional who has defeated all his rival Champions in their home crowd.
Dara Singh includes over 500 professional fights to his credit, all undefeated. Most of Former Indian Prime Ministers have visited his fights, including Shri JawaharLal Nehru ji, Chaudhary Charan Singh Ji, Shri Morarji Desai, Shri Chandrashekhar, Shri Rajiv Gandhi. President of India Shri Giani Zail Singh has also visited his fights. His series of fights with Lou Thesz, King Kong and others are still cherished today.
His Last tournament where he announced his retirement was held in Delhi, Inaugrated by Shri Rajiv Gandhi and the winning trophy was presented by Shri Giani Zail Singh Ji. He remains as the Action King of Bollywood of the 1960s and 1970s, and believed to have started the trend of Taking the shirt off. He is included in the wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of fame. He made a large number of Hindi 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 television in the 1980s and 1990s where he played the role of Hanuman in the television adaptation of the Hindu epic Ramayan. He worked in some television serial shows, including Had Kar Di which was aired on Zee TV. 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 acted in National Award winner film Main Maa Punjab Dee(Director Balwant Singh Dullat).
Singh retired from active wrestling in 1983. In 1996 he was inducted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame.
Singh is also the owner of prestigious Dara Studio at Mohali, distric roppar Punjab. Dara Film Studio was founded in 1978.also dara palce in mohali The Studio is operational from 1980 as film studio. Dara Studio is a self-contained mini-city with every facility within the compound. They are a fully equipped Studio with Camera, Camera Equipment, Nagra Lights and all type of Extra Equipment like Stands, Trolleys, Cables for filming Movies, Serials & Pop Albums throughout North India.
Family
He has three sons viz. Pruduman Singh Randhawa, Vindu Dara Singh and Amrik Singh. He also has three daughters. All of his children are married
Awards and accomplishments
Although most of the major achievements have been covered hereinabove yet some significant awards and accomplishments to Dara Singh are appended below.
National Wrestling Alliance:
- Canadian Open Tag Team Champion (1 time) – with Yukon Eric
In India:
- Rustam-E-Punjab in 1966
- Rustam-E-Hind in 1978
Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards:
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame
- Class of 1996 Filmography
- 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) ...Geet's grandfather
- Kya Hoga Nimmo Ka (2006) TV series .... Amardeep Sehgal (Dadaji)
- Dil Apna Punjabi (2006) .... Hardam Singh
- Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003) .... Chaddha uncle
- Border Hindustan Ka (2003) .... Jamail Singh
- Shararat(2002) .... Mr. Gujral
- Farz (2001) .... Tayaji
- Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge (2000) .... Sapna's grandfather (guest appearance)
- Dillagi (1999)
- Zulmi (1999) .... Baba Thakur
- Guru Gobind Singh (1998)
- Main Maa Punjab Dee (1998, National Award winner film directed by Balwant Dullat) )
- Qahar (1998) .... Special Guest
- Lav Kush (1997) .... Hanuman
- Ram Shastra (1995) .... Police Commissioner
- Karan (1994)
- Bechain (1993)
- Anmol (1993) .... Dara Shamsher, Zafar's father
- Prem Deewane (1992) .... Loha Singh
- Dharam Sankat (1991) .... Dara (the dacoit)
- Ajooba (1991) .... Maharaja Karan Singh
- Maut Ki Sazaa (1991) .... Pyara Singh
- Pratigya (1990) .... Daku Delavar Singh
- Sheran De Putt Sher (1990) .... Subedaar
- Shehzaade (1989) (uncredited) .... Jailor
- Elaan-E-Jung (1989) as bheema
- Gharana (1989) .... Vijay Singh Pahelwan
- Maula Jatt (1988) .... Maula Jatt & Dharma
- "Luv Kush" (1989) TV Series .... Hanuman
- Paanch Fauladi (1988) .... Ustadji (Fauladi #1)
- Mahaveera (1988) .... Delar Singh
- Mahabharat (1988) TV Series .... Hanuman
- Karma (1986) .... Dharma (Jolly's elder brother)
- Bulekha (1986)
- Krishna-Krishna (1986) .... Bhagwan Shri Balram
- Ramayan (1986) TV Series .... Hanuman
- Sajna Sath Nibhana (1986) .... Joseph
- Mutharamkunnu P.O. (1985) .. as himself (language Malayalam)
- Mard (1985) .... Raja Azaad Singh
- Aan Aur Shaan (1984)
- Babul Da Vehra (1983)
- Unkhili Muttiar (1983)
- Main Intequam Loonga (1982) .... Ajay Kumar
- Rustom (1982)
- Guru Suleman Chela Pahelwan (1981)
- Khel Muqaddar Ka (1981)
- Chambal Ki Rani (1979)
- Bhakti Mein Shakti (1978) .... Dyanu Bhakt
- Dhyani Bhagat (1978)
- Nalayak (1978) .... Pahelwan
- Sone Ka Dil Lohe Ke Haath (1978) .... Nihalchand
- Giddha (1978) .... Bhalwaan Dulla ji
- Jai Bolo Chakradhari (1977)
- Ram Bharose (1977)
- Jai Bajrang Bali (1976) .... Bhagwan Shri Bajrangbali/Hanumanji
- Lambhardarni (1976)
- Raakhi Aur Rifle (1976)
- Sawa Lakh Se Ek Ladaun (1976) .... Kartar Singh
- Dharam Karam (1975) .... Ustaad ji
- Dharmatma (1975)
- Warrant (1975) .... Pyaara Singh
- Bhagat Dhanna Jatt (1974) .... Dhanna Jatt
- Dukh Bhanjan Tera Naam (1974) .... Daku Daulay Khan
- Har Har Mahadev (1974)
- Kisan Aur Bhagwan (1974)
- Zehreela Insaan (1974)
- Hum Sab Chor Hain (1973)
- Mera Desh Mera Dharam (1973)
- Aankhon Aankhon Mein (1972) .... Pahelwan
- Hari Darshan (1972) .... Bhagwan Shiv
- Lalkaar (1972)
- Mele Mitran De (1972)
- Sultana Daku (1972)
- Ramu Ustad (1971) .... Ramu
- Tulsi Vivah (1971) .... Bhagwan Shri Shiv
- Anand (1970) as guest appearance
- Choron Ka Chor (1970)
- Ilzaam (1970)
- Mera Naam Joker (1970) .... Sher Singh
- Nanak Dukhiya Sab Sansar (1970) .... Kartar Singh
- Apna Khoon Apna Dushman (1969)
- Toofan (1969) .... Badal
- Balram Shri Krishna (1968) .... Balram
- Jung Aur Aman (1968)
- Chand Par Chadayee (1967)
- Do Dushman (1967)
- Daku Mangal Singh (1966)
- Jawan Mard (1966)
- Thakur Jarnail Singh (1966)
- Boxer (1965)
- Hum Sab Ustad Hain (1965)
- Khakaan (1965)
- Lutera (1965)
- Mahabharat (1965) .... Bheem
- Raaka (1965)
- Rustom-E-Hind (1965)
- Sher Dil (1965)
- Sikandar E Azam (1965) .... Sikander (Alexander)
- Tarzan and King Kong (1965) .... Tarzan's opponent
- Tarzan Comes to Delhi (1965) .... Tarzan
- Teen Sardar (1965)
- Aandhi Aur Toofan (1964)
- Aaya Toofan (1964)
- Badshah (1964)
- Darasingh: Ironman (1964) .... Dara Singh
- Hercules (1964) .... Hercules
- Samson (1964) .... Samson
- Veer Bhimsen (1964)
- Faulad (1963)
- Rustom-E-Baghdad (1963) .... Dara/Rustom-E-Baghdad
- King Kong (1962)
- Jagga Daku (1959) .... Jagga Daku
- Pehli Jhalak (1955)
- Sangdil (1952)
- Urr chala Jatayu (udd gaya popat)(1949) .... lead
- Ramayana .... Hanuman
- Daada ( 1966 )
- Watan Se Door ( 1967 )
- Saat Samunder Paar ( 1967 )
- Navjawan (1966)
wonderful information, I had come to know about your blog from my friend nandu , hyderabad,i have read atleast 7 posts of yours by now, and let me tell you, your website gives the best and the most interesting information. This is just the kind of information that i had been looking for, i'm already your rss reader now and i would regularly watch out for the new posts, once again hats off to you! Thanks a ton once again, Regards, dara singh
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