Dara Singh: A list of his most memorable films

New Delhi: Former wrestling champion and actor Dara Singh, died at his home in Mumbai on Thursday morning. He was 84. He was rushed to the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital last week after a cardiac problem. He had been in a critical condition since then. Two days later, he was put on dialysis after his kidneys stopped functioning.

Better known as Bollywood’s first action hero, Dara Singh made the transition from being a wrestler to an actor quite successfully. Recipient of title like ‘Rustam-E-Hind’, Dara Singh has a huge list of Bollywood films to his credit. From Raj Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan, Dilip Kumar to Shahid Kapoor, Dara Singh worked with an array of actors. From being the main lead to playing a grand father, he was seen in different avatars onscreen in past so many years. Here is a list of his most popular films...

Sangdil (1952): Dara Singh made his Bollywood with this film. Directed by RC Talwar, the film was based on Charlotte Bronte classic ‘Jane Eyre’.

Dara Singh: A list of his most memorable films

Dara Singh and Mumtaz

King Kong (1962): Dara Singh was Bollywood’s undefeated action hero in 1960s and 1970s. He played the wrestler ‘King King’ in the film.

Faulad (1963): He played the lead role in the film. He was cast opposite Bollywood actress Mumtaz in the movie.

Rustom-E-Baghdad (1963): Dara Singh played the title role in this fantasy film.

Aandhi Aur Toofan (1964): Dara Singh was seen sporting a moustache in this action film. He mainly did action films in the beginning of his career.

Sikandar E Azam (1965): Dara Singh played Sikander (Alexander) while Prithviraj Kapoor was seen as Porus in the film.

Raaka (1965): Directed by Kedar Kapoor, Dara Singh and Mumtaz played the lead roles in the film. It is one of the most popular Dara Singh films.

Tarzan comes to Delhi (1965): Dara Singh played the lead role in this one of the early Indian version of the popular story.

Daku Mangal Singh (1966): Dara Singh and Mumtaz did 16 films together. This film is also one of them. He played the title role in the movie.

Mera Naam Joker (1970): Dara Singh was seen as a smart ring master Sher Singh in the film. His scenes with Raj Kapoor were amazing.

Sher-e-Watan (1971): Dara Singh played Aladdish in the film, the general of the kingdom of Yunan.

Anand (1971): Dara Singh did a cameo in the movie. He played the role of a friendly wrestler in the Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan starrer.

Mera Desh Mera Dharam (1973): The film was directed by Dara Singh. He was seen sharing the screen space with legendary actor Raj Kapoor in the movie.

Dharmatma (1975): While Feroz Khan and Hema Malini played the lead roles in the film, Dara Singh was seen in a supporting role. He played a wrestler named Shakti Singh in the film.

Dharam Karam (1975): He played a wrestler named Bhim Singh in the film. Randhir Kapoor and Rekha played the lead roles.

Dhyanu Bhagat (1978): Dara Singh directed and acted in this mythological film.

Rustom (1982): Dara Singh played a washed up wrestler in the film, who is an alcoholic and compulsive gambler. The film tracks his journey of his struggle to raise his son. Dara Singh also directed this film.

Mard (1985): Dara Singh played Amitabh Bachchan’s father in the film. How can you forget his famous dialogue, “Mard ko dard nahin hota”.

Karma (1986): In this patriotic film, Dara Singh worked with Dilip Kumar, Anil Kapoor and Jackie Shroff. He played Dilip Kumar’s loyal assistant in the film.

Gharana (1989): Dara Singh again played a wrestler in the film. His character was named Vijay Singh Pahelwan.

Ajooba (1991): Dara Singh did a special appearance in Amitabh Bachchan starrer ‘Ajooba’. He played the emperor of India in the fantasy film.

Zulmi (1999): In this action film, Dara Singh played the underworld don Baba Thakur in the film. Akshay Kumar and Twinkle Khanna played the lead roles in the movie.

Dillagi (1999): Dara Singh played an emotional and protective father in the film. Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol played his two sons in ‘Dillagi’.

Shararat (2002): After working with Amitabh Bachchan in many films, Dara Singh worked with his son Abhishek in ‘Shararat’. His character was named Gujral in the film.

Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003): Dara Singh played Shah Rukh Khan’s neighbor, Mr Chadda in the film. His subtle liking for Preity Zinta’s grand mother added some fun moments to the film.

Jab We Met (2007): This was Dara Singh’s last appearance in a Bollywood film. He played Kareena Kapoor’s grand father in the movie. His scenes with Kareena Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor were one of the highlights of the film.