Dara Singh

Dara Singh is a wrestler turned actor born on November 19, 1928 in the small village called Dharmuchak in Amritsar, Punjab, British India (now India). His physique drew him towards wrestling. He used to perform in front of Kings and carnivals in India. He had a flourishing career, where he got to travel around the world for his matches. In 1983, he announced his retirement during a tournament in Delhi.

With his growing popularity around the world, filmmakers launched Dara Singh in Bollywood with 'Sangdil' in 1952. In his starting days, he used was mostly casted in the role of a stunt actor. But as the years passed by he was promoted to the lead actor role in his later films. His pairing with actress Mumtaz did wonders on the big screen. They both were highest paid B-grade actor to their era and they went on starring in 16 films together. Some of his popular films are 'King Kong', 'Kunwara Baap', 'Faulad', 'Thief Of Baghdad', 'Mard'(1985), 'Dillagi'(1999) and many others. While, his recent films are 'Kal Ho Naa Ho' and 'Jab We Met' were he was seen in a supporting role of grandfather. He holds the record of working in regional films too. 'Mele Mitran De', 'Sawa Lakh Se Ek Ladaun', 'Babul Ka Vehra' and 'Mein Maa Punjab Dee' were his film in his mother tongue language Punjabi. He has also worked in South Indian films like 'Mutharamkunnu P.O.', 'Maaveeran' and 'Auto Driver'. He has acted in Television serials like 'Mahabharat', Zee TV's 'Had Kar Di' and Star One's 'Kyaa Hoga Nimmo Kaa'.

Dara Singh marked his directorial debut with 'Bhakti Main Shakti' and then went on directing 7 films in Punjabi and Hindi. He has even produced films under his home banner called 'Dara Film'. He even owned a film studio by his name "Dara Studio" at Mohali.

After excelling in wrestling and films, Dara Singh led his steps towards Politics. He was the first sportsman to be nominated to the Rajya Sabha and served from 2003 to 2009. He also served as the president of the Jat Mahasabha.

On the personal front, Dara Singh married twice. He has a son named Parduman Singh Randhawa from his first wife, while five children from his second wife which includes actor Vindu Singh.

In his last days, Dara Singh was admitted in Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital because of the cardiac arrest. He died on 12th July, 2012 and was cremated at Juhu crematorium in Mumbai.