In pics: The legend of Dara Singh

Jul 09, 2012 19:02pm

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.