The world said goodbye to Dara Singh on July 12, 2012. This remarkable man, famous as a wrestler and an actor, passed away on this very day. He left behind a legacy that stretched far beyond the wrestling ring.
Born Didar Singh Randhawa in Dharmuchak village, Amritsar district, Punjab, on November 19, 1928, Dara Singh’s name shines brightly in history. He didn’t just conquer opponents in the arena. He also shone on the silver screen and even stepped into the world of politics. He even wrote his own story in an autobiography.
A Champion from Humble Beginnings
Dara Singh came from a simple Jat Sikh farming family. His father was Surjeet Singh Randhawa, and his mother was Balwant Kaur. He grew up working hard on the farm. His formal schooling stopped after sixth grade because his family needed him to help out.
Yet, young Dara Singh always loved wrestling. He spent his early days in local wrestling pits. In 1947, he traveled to Singapore. There, he beat the Malaysian champion, marking his first big international win. He went on to wrestle over 500 matches and never lost a single one. That’s an incredible record.
In 1954, he became the Indian wrestling champion. He then secured the Commonwealth Championship too. His biggest triumph came in 1968. He defeated American world champion Lou Thesz to win the World Freestyle Wrestling Champion title. This victory made him the world’s first Indian world wrestling champion.
The Legendary Bout with King Kong
One of his most famous matches happened in 1956. He faced the Australian wrestler King Kong. Dara Singh weighed 130 kilograms, but King Kong was a massive 200 kilograms. Dara Singh picked up King Kong and threw him out of the ring. This made him an overnight sensation. That moment truly launched him into superstardom. It also earned him the respected titles of ‘Rustam-e-Hind’ and ‘Rustam-e-Punjab.’
From Wrestling to Movies
Dara Singh first stepped into Bollywood in 1952 with the film ‘Sangdil.’ His early acting career started slowly. However, the 1962 film ‘King Kong’ made him a true star. He appeared in over 100 films throughout his career. Some of his hits include ‘Fauji,’ ‘Sher Dil,’ ‘Rustam-e-Hind,’ ‘Bajrangbali,’ ‘Mard,’ ‘Dharmatma,’ ‘Ram Bharose,’ and ‘Mera Naam Joker.’
He notably starred in 16 films with the actress Mumtaz. Ten of these films became huge successes. Their on-screen chemistry and rumored romance were often talked about. However, their relationship eventually faded.
– Photo: X
The Beloved ‘Hanuman’
Dara Singh became a household name for a completely different reason. He played Lord Hanuman in Ramanand Sagar’s classic TV series ‘Ramayana.’ His portrayal was so powerful that people started seeing him as the real Hanuman. They revered him. For this special role, he even gave up eating meat. This character became immortal in television history. For many, Dara Singh is still the only Hanuman.
A Man of Many Talents
Not many know that Dara Singh was also a talented director and writer. He directed several films in both Punjabi and Hindi. These include ‘Nanak Dukhiya Sab Sansar,’ ‘Mera Desh Mera Dharam,’ ‘Rustam,’ and ‘Sawa Lakh Se Ek Ladau.’ In 1989, he wrote his autobiography, ‘Meri Aatmkatha,’ which was published in Hindi in 1993.
A Leap into Politics
Dara Singh even ventured into politics. He joined the BJP party in 1998. From 2003 to 2009, he served as a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha. He was the first sportsperson ever to be nominated to this respected parliamentary body. He also held the position of President of the Jat Mahasabha.
Personal Life and Family
Dara Singh married Bachan Kaur at just 14 years old. He became a father at 17, welcoming his son Pradyuman Singh Randhawa. He had six children in total: three sons and three daughters. His second marriage was to Surjit Kaur in 1961. This was a traditional arranged marriage. His son, Vindu Dara Singh, who is also a famous actor, was born from this marriage. Vindu also followed in his father’s footsteps, trying both wrestling and acting.
His Final Fight
On July 7, 2012, Dara Singh suffered a heart attack. He was admitted to Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai. His condition did not improve. His family brought him home, and he passed away peacefully on July 12, 2012.
– Photo: X
Dara Singh was truly a rare personality. He found success in sports, cinema, literature, and politics. His life story continues to inspire. It shows that with true hard work and dedication, anyone can achieve great things in any field.