Many memories of acting with Dara Singh: Mumtaz

London: Popular Indian actress of yesteryears Mumtaz today said she was saddened by the passing away of her co-star in several films, Dara Singh, who was like a family member to her. "What else can one feel when someone close passes away. I have so many memories of working with Dara Singh, but that was

a long time ago. We knew that he was not keeping well, but what can one do, life is not in our hands," Mumtaz told PTI reacting to the veteran's demise.

Mumtaz said she and her industrialist husband, Mayur Madhwani, spoke to Dara Singh's wife in Mumbai today.

Wrestler-turned-actor Dara Singh, who wowed audiences with his brawn and on screen histrionics for over five decades, died on July12 losing his five-day fight for life. A still from one of his films.
Dara Singh (C) is seen in this photo with actors Anupam Kher (2 from L), his wife Kirron Kher (ER) and his son Vindoo (E-L)
Dara Singh and his son Vindoo are seen in this file photo.
Dara Singh and actor Pran are seen in this file photo.
Dara Singh was born in November 1928 in village Dharmuchak of Amritsar, Punjab. A still from one of his films.
A childhood hero to many for his wrestling prowess, 83-year-old Singh, who played Hanuman in epic teleserial Ramayanan and also dabbled in politics, passed away at 7.30 AM at his residence in Juhu in suburban Mumbai. A still from one of his films.
Singh was taken home from hospital on July 12 by his family members so that they could be with him in the last few moments of his life.
Dara Singh learnt the Indian style of wrestling. He was a favourite at wrestling tournaments in India. His massive physique helped him a lot in his wrestling days. A still from one of his films.
Indian film stars and politicians alike issued messages of praise and condolences, while the government said it was "deeply saddened" by the news. A still from one of his films.
Singh was born in 1928 in the Punjabi district of Amritsar and spent his youth competing in professional freestyle wrestling tournaments.
In the 1950s, he began working in Bollywood films and appeared in dozens for which he did his own stunts. A still from one of his films.
The muscular actor is best known, however, for his portrayal of Hanuman in the 1986 Indian TV series 'Ramayan.'
Later in life, Singh served as a member of the Rajya Sabha, for the Bharatiya Janata Party, or BJP, from 2003-2009. A still from one of his films.
His health had been ailing in recent years before he suffered a heart attack and was admitted Saturday to the intensive care unit of a Mumbai hospital. A still from one of his films.
After doctors determined he would not regain consciousness, they sent him home where he was put on a ventilator. His son, actor Vindu Dara Singh, announced his death on July 12. A still from one of his films.
The very first of action heroes in Hindi films, Singh was last seen in Imtiaz Ali's 'Jab We Met' in 2007 where he played Kareena Kapoor's grandfather. A still from Jab We Met.
From his first marriage, he has a son Parduman Singh Randhawa and from his second marriage he has five children two sons and three daughters including Vindoo, a TV-film actor. A still from one of his films.
Standing tall with rippling muscles, Singh made a name in the field of professional wrestling and had over 500 professional fights to his credit, all undefeated. A still from one of his films.
Singh won the title of 'Rustam-E-Punjab' and 'Rustam-e-Hind' for his wrestling prowess. Also, he became the Commonwealth Champion in 1959 and in 1996 he was inducted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame. A still from one of his films.
He announced his retirement from wrestling in 1983.
A wrestling hero to some and a much loved cine artist to others, Singh muscled his way into the film world with ease will always be remembered for his variety of roles in cinema including his brawny avatar in 'King Kong' and 'Tarzan'. A still from one of his films.
One of his notable friends was actress Mumtaz, with whom he starred in 16 Hindi films including 'Faulad' (1963), 'Veer Bhimsen' (1964), 'Hercules' (1964), 'Aandhi Aur Toofan' (1964), 'Tarzan Comes to Delhi', 'Tarzan and King Kong' (1965), 'Sikandar-e-Azam' (1965), 'Rustom-E-Hind' (1965).
He also produced and directed Punjabi films. Singh started as a wrestler but it was his fascination for cinema that brought him into the world of showbiz. A still from one of his films.
A file photo of wrestler-actor Dara Singh. Singh was removed from the ventilator and other support systems only after his death, said his son Vindoo.
A file photo of Dara Singh with Union Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad.