Dara Singh, wrestling champion and Bollywood's strong man, dies

Mumbai: Veteran Actor Dara Singh died at the age of 84 in Mumbai on Thursday. His doctor RK Aggarwal said, "He died due to cardiac respiratory arrest at around 7:30 am." Dara Singh will be cremated at 2 pm.

The 84-year-old had suffered severe brain damage following a cardiac arrest last week. He was shifted home from hospital on Wednesday night as his family wanted his final moments to be spent at home.

The grim news shook the film industry as well as the political fraternity. Actor Amitabh Bachchan tweeted, "Dara Singh ji passed away this morning. A great Indian and one of the finest humans..An entire era of his celebrated presence gone!"

The 83-year-old wrestler-actor Dara Singh was taken to the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital lately following a severe cardiac problem. He continues to be very critical.
Dara Singh was born in November 1928 in village Dharmuchak of Amritsar, Punjab.
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.
Dara Singh also competed against some of the most popular professional wrestlers in United States.
In 1947, Dara Singh defeated Tarlok Singh in Kuala Lumpur and became the Champion of Malaysia in Indian style wrestling.
After touring all far-east countries as a professional wrestler, he returned to India in 1952 and became the Indian Champion in 1954.
Dara Singh soon became an internationally known name. He became the Commonwealth Champion in 1959.
He visited many countries and defeated their best of the wrestlers. He retired from wrestling in the year 1983.
Dara Singh has nearly 500 professional fights to his credit. Many former Indian Prime Ministers also visited his fights.
Dara Singh, who won the title of 'Rustam-e-Hind' for his wrestling prowess, entered the film world in the 1960s.
Thanks to his physique, Dara Singh was known as Bollywood's action king in 1960s and 1970s.
Bollywood actress Mumtaz is one of his most important finds. He has done 16 films with her.
Much before Salman Khan, Dara Singh started the trend of taking off his shirt on screen.
He acted in many Bollywood films as a lead hero. He also tried his luck in directing.
He appeared in various films like 'Watan Se Door', 'Daada', 'Rustom-E-Baghdad', 'Sher Dil', 'Sikandar E Azam', 'Raaka', 'Mera Naam Joker' and 'Dharam Karam'. He was last seen in 'Jab We Met', released in 2007.
He has also done TV serials and is best known for his portrayal of Hanuman in 'Ramayan'.
Dara Singh also acted in a TV show 'Kya Hoga Nimmo Ka' in 2006.
Dara Singh is in Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai. He is now undergoing dialysis.
He was hospitalised on Saturday, but his condition hasn't improved since then.
"His kidneys are not functioning the way they should, so we have to put him on dialysis," Ram Narain, COO, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, said lately.

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Actor Shah Rukh Khan also tweeted, "Wrestlers r made of sweat,determination & a hard to find alloy called guts...most apt for Dara Singhji our very own Superman.Will miss u sir." (sic)

BJP leader Sushma Swaraj tweeted, "He distinguished himself not only as a sportsperson but also as an actor and a Member of Parliament."

The 84-year-actor was admitted to Kokilaben Hospital in an emergency condition on July 7. He had suffered a cardiac arrest and since then he has been in the ICU.

The Commonwealth wrestling champion entered film industry in the fifties and is known for his roles in 'King Kong' and 'Faulad'. He was last seen in Imtiaz Ali's 'Jab We Met' (2007) playing Kareena Kapoor's grandfather.

The veteran actor had played the character of Hanuman in Ramanand Sagar's epic television series 'Ramayan'.

(With additional information from PTI)