Remembering the unforgettable bollywood actor Dara Singh, on his 6th death anniversary.

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Deedara Singh Randhawa, known more popularly to film fans as Dara Singh and wrestling fans as the champion Rustam-E-Hind, was born into a Sikh farming family in 1928, in a village in the northern province of Punjab.
Dara Singh & Indira Billi

 Dara Singh had bigger body measurements than most Indian wrestlers at that time. Due to his physical stature, Dara Singh was encouraged to take up wrestling at a very young age. He started his wrestling career by competing in amateur fights at fairs and markets.


Dara Singh was at the pinnacle of his prowess and fame as a wrestler when he started working in films in the 1950s. In 1954, he defeated Tiger Joginder Singh at Vallabhbhai Patel stadium in Mumbai and was crowned Rustam-E-Hind, the ultimate wrestling champion of India. While he pursued acting, he continued to wrestle in tours around the world.


His massive physique and noble image made him ideal for characters that epitomized masculine strength and pride and heroic virtues. Some of his most popular movies are Sikandar-e-Azam, Watan Se Door, Dada, Rustom-E-Baghdad, Sher Dil, Raaka, Lootera, King Kong, Samson, Faulad and Tarzan Comes to Delhi.


Singh, who appeared in nearly 150 movies, later switched to character roles. He was also involved with Punjabi films as an actor, director and producer.
Late Dara Singh becomes the first Indian to be part of WWE's Hall of fame –
For all his film work, he may be best remembered in India for a television role, that of the mythical monkey god Hanuman in the popular series “Ramayana,” an adaptation of the Hindu epic.


He made friends in the industry from Raj Kapoor to Dharmendra, whose friendship lasted until Singh's death. Singh became a popular pair with the actress Mumtaz, with whom he appeared in 16 films together. But while Singh became the larger-than-life legend, he remained true to his family and his wrestling roots.


Dara Singh, the wrestler-turned-actor-turned filmmaker, passed away on July 12, 2012.

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