Wrestler-actor Dara Singh dies at 83

The He-Man of the 60’s, wrestler and veteran actor Dara Singh, 83, died today in Mumbai. He was admitted to Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital last Saturday and was undergoing dialysis.

The actor was shifted back home on Wednesday evening after doctors said he had “less chance of recovery” due to serious damage to his brain.

“As Dara Singh’s condition was deteriorating fast, respecting wishes of his family, he has been shifted home with ventilator and medicines. A nurse and a doctor are at his home. There are no medicines that will reverse the brain damage… only if a miracle happens. He might even slip into coma,” Dr Ram Narain, COO, Kokilaben hospital had said.

“He is already home. Please don’t follow us. When he breathes his last, I’ll let you know. There is no hope,” his son Vindu Dara Singh told reporters.

Decorated with titles such as Rustum-e-Punjab and Rustum-e-Hind for his wrestling prowess, Dara Singh Randhava was born in Amritsar in 1928. He studied pehelwani as a child. A wrestling champ, he made his way from local tournaments to the international arena competing with some of the biggest names like Oriental Champion King Kong, George Gordienko. The wrestler who had over 500 fights to his credit was the Commonwealth champion in 1959 and Champion of the World in 1968. He retired from wrestling in 1983.

He made his entry into films in early 1960s and was cast opposite actress Mumtaz in several movies. Often regarded as the Action King of Bollywood in the Hollywood inspired Hindi films such as Tarzan and King Kong amongst many others.

But his most memorable performance remains as Hanuman on the popular 1980’s television series Ramayan.

The actor who also directed several punjabi films continued to act in films and was last seen in the hit movie, Jab We Met in 2007.