Dara Singh Randhawa (born 19 November 1928) is a wrestler and India

India

India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...

n film actor. He was born in a Jat Sikh family of Punjabi background.

He was a wrestler before he started acting in Hindi

Hindi

Standard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi...

 films in 1962.

He was nominated member of Rajya Sabha

Rajya Sabha

The Rajya Sabha or Council of States is the upper house of the Parliament of India. Rajya means "state," and Sabha means "assembly hall" in Sanskrit. Membership is limited to 250 members, 12 of whom are chosen by the President of India for their expertise in specific fields of art, literature,...

 by Bhartiya Janata Party during August 2003 – August 2009.

Career

Singh is from the area near the village Dharmuchuk in District Amritsar

Amritsar

Amritsar is a city in the northern part of India and is the administrative headquarters of Amritsar district in the state of Punjab, India. The 2001 Indian census reported the population of the city to be over 1,500,000, with that of the entire district numbering 3,695,077...

, Punjab, India. Due to his physique he was encouraged to study Pehlwani

Pehlwani

Pehlwani or Pahlavani or Kushti is a Persian style of wrestling popular in Iran, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. It was developed in the Mughal era through a synthesis of Indian malla-yuddha and Persian Varzesh-e Bastani....

, an Indian style of wrestling, in the milked sand wrestling pits called akhara. Dara Singh was a favourite in wrestling tournaments in India. In addition to this, he wrestled on invitation of kings of Indian princely states and wrestled frequently in haats and melas (fairs and carnivals). He successfully competed against some of the greatest names in wrestling history and professional wrestlers

Professional wrestling

Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...

 in the United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

.

It is said that he defeated former world champion wrestler including Stanislaus Zbyszko

Stanislaus Zbyszko

Stanislaus Zbyszko was a Polish strongman and professional wrestler popular in the United States during the 1920s. He was one of the most influential European grapplers of all-time, he was also among the sport’s great pioneer champions...

. However this is questionable since the link for Zbyszko indicates that he retired in 1925 and Dara Singh was born in 1928. Even if Singh beat Zbyszko, he would have beaten a much older man.

Upon his return to India he held wrestling bouts across the country in the 1940s, '50s, and '60s, including a series of matches with Lou Thesz

Lou Thesz

Aloysius Martin "Lou" Thesz was a United States professional wrestler and 18-time world heavyweight champion, most notably holding the NWA World Heavyweight Championship three times. Combined, he held the NWA Championship for 10 years, three months and nine days , longer than anyone else in history...

 in the late '60s. He made a large number of Hindi

Hindi

Standard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi...

 films which had him in the lead. One of his notable finds was the actress Mumtaz

Mumtaz (actress)

Mumtaz , fondly called Mumu, is a famous Bollywood actress, best remembered for her roles in Tere Mere Sapne and Khilona . Her performance in Khilona got her the Filmfare Best Actress Award, while the film itself won the Filmfare Best Movie Award...

 with whom he had performed in 16 Hindi films. He then went on to television in the 1980s and 90s where he played the role of Hanuman

Hanuman

Hanuman , is a Hindu deity, who is an ardent devotee of Rama, a central character in the Indian epic Ramayana and one of the dearest devotees of lord Rama. A general among the vanaras, an ape-like race of forest-dwellers, Hanuman is an incarnation of the divine and a disciple of Lord Rama in the...

 in the television adaptation of the film Ramayan

Ramayan (TV series)

Ramayan is a highly successful Indian television series created, written, and directed by Ramanand Sagar. The 78-episode series originally aired weekly on Doordarshan from January 25, 1987, to July 31, 1988, on Sundays at 9:30 a.m...

. He worked in some television serial shows, including Had Kar Di which was aired on Zee TV

Zee TV

Zee TV is an India-based satellite television channel owned by Zee Entertainment Enterprises based in Mumbai, Maharashtra, which broadcasts various programmes in Hindi and other regional languages of India. Broadcasting is also present in various nations of South Asia, Europe, the Middle East,...

. He has acted in over 100 films. His latest Hindi movie is Jab We Met

Jab We Met

Jab We Met is a 2007 Hindi romantic comedy film directed and written by Imtiaz Ali. The film, produced by Dhillin Mehta under Shree Ashtavinayak Cinevision Ltd, stars Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor in their fourth film together...

and his latest Punjabi movie is Dil Apna Punjabi

Dil Apna Punjabi

Dil Apna Punjabi is a Punjabi feature film. It is also the first Punjabi Film to be produced by any Bollywood Production house, i.e. Tips It was released on 3 September, 2006. It stars Harbhajan Mann, Neeru Bajwa and Dara Singh. Tips Films maiden Punjabi venture "Dil Apna Punjabi" produced by...

. He acted in National Award winner film Main Maa Punjab Dee (Director Balwant Singh Dullat).

Singh retired from active wrestling in 1983. In 1996 he was inducted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame

Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame is a professional wrestling hall of fame that recognizes people who make significant contributions to the sport. It was founded in 1996 by Dave Meltzer, editor of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame is not...

.

Family

He has three sons, Pruduman Singh Randhawa, Vindu Dara Singh

Vindu Dara Singh

Vindu Dara Singh Randhawa is an Indian film and television actor.He was born in the Jat Sikh family of veteran Indian actor and wrestler Dara Singh. He is the winner of the third season of Bigg Boss.-Career:...

 and Amrik Singh, and three daughters.

Championships and accomplishments

National Wrestling Alliance

National Wrestling Alliance

The National Wrestling Alliance is a wrestling promotion company and sanctions various NWA championships in the United States. The NWA has been in operation since 1948...

• Canadian Open Tag Team Champion (1 time) – with Yukon Eric

India

• Rustam-E-Punjab
• Rustam-E-Hind

• Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards
• Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame
  Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame
  The Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame is a professional wrestling hall of fame that recognizes people who make significant contributions to the sport. It was founded in 1996 by Dave Meltzer, editor of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame is not...
  
   (Class of 1996)

Filmography

As director

• Unkhilli Muttiar (1983)
• Rustom (1982)
• Bhakti Mein Shakti (1978)
• Dhyanu Bhagat (1978)
• Sawa Lakh Se Ek Ladaun (1976)
• Bhagat Dhanna Jatt (1974)
• Mera Desh Mera Dharam (1973)
• Nanak Dukhiya Sub Sansar (1970)

As producer

• Karan (1994)
• Bhakti Mein Shakti (1978)

As actor

• Jab We Met (2007) ...Geet's grandfather
• Kya Hoga Nimmo Ka (2006) TV series .... Amardeep Sehgal (Dadaji)
• Dil Apna Punjabi (2006) .... Hardam Singh
• Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003) .... Chaddha uncle
• Border Hindustan Ka (2003) .... Jamail Singh
• Shararat
  Shararat (2002 film)
  Shararat is a 2002 Bollywood Comedy, Drama film Directed by Gurudev Bhalla and starring Abhishek Bachchan, Hrishitaa Bhatt and Amrish Puri in the lead roles...
  
  (2002) .... Mr. Gujral
• Farz (2001) .... Tayaji
• Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge (2000) .... Sapna's grandfather (guest appearance)
• Dillagi (1999)
• Zulmi (1999) .... Baba Thakur
• Guru Gobind Singh (1998)
• Main Maa Punjab Dee (1998, National Award winner film directed by Balwant Dullat) )
• Qahar (1998) .... Special Guest
• Lav Kush (1997) .... Hanuman
• Ram Shastra (1995) .... Police Commissioner
• Karan (1994)
• Bechain (1993)
• Anmol (1993) .... Dara Shamsher, Zafar's father
• Prem Deewane (1992) .... Loha Singh
• Dharam Sankat (1991) .... Dara (the dacoit)
• Ajooba (1991) .... Maharaja Karan Singh
• Maut Ki Sazaa (1991) .... Pyara Singh
• Maula Jatt (1990) .... Maula Jatt
• Pratigya (1990) .... Daku Delavar Singh
• Sheran De Putt Sher (1990) .... Subedaar
• Shehzaade (1989) (uncredited) .... Jailor
• Elaan-E-Jung (1989) as bheema
• Gharana (1989) .... Vijay Singh Pahelwan
• "Luv Kush" (1989) TV Series .... Hanuman
• Paanch Fauladi (1988) .... Ustadji (Fauladi #1)
• Mahaveera (1988) .... Delar Singh
• "Mahabharat" (1988) TV Series .... Hanuman
• Karma (1986) .... Dharma (Jolly's elder brother)
• Bulekha (1986)
• Krishna-Krishna (1986) .... Bhagwan Shri Balram
• "Ramayan" (1986) TV Series .... Hanuman
• Sajna Sath Nibhana (1986) .... Joseph
• Mutharamkunnu P.O.
  Mutharamkunnu P.O.
  Mutharamkunnu P.O. is a 1985 Malayalam film directed by Sibi Malayil having Mukesh and Lizy in the lead roles. The movie was noted for the cameo appearance of famous Indian actor and wrestler Dara Singh.- Synopsis :...
  
   (1985) .. as himself (language Malayalam)
• Mard (1985) .... Raja Azaad Singh
• Aan Aur Shaan (1984)
• Babul Da Vehra (1983)
• Unkhili Muttiar (1983)
• Main Intequam Loonga (1982) .... Ajay Kumar
• Rustom (1982)
• Guru Suleman Chela Pahelwan (1981)
• Khel Muqaddar Ka (1981)
• Chambal Ki Rani (1979)
• Bhakti Mein Shakti (1978) .... Dyanu Bhakt
• Dhyani Bhagat (1978)
• Nalayak (1978) .... Pahelwan
• Sone Ka Dil Lohe Ke Haath (1978) .... Nihalchand
• Jai Bolo Chakradhari (1977)
• Ram Bharose (1977)
• Giddha (1976) .... Bhalwaan ji
• Jai Bajrang Bali (1976) .... Bhagwan Shri Bajrangbali/Hanumanji
• Lambhardarni (1976)
• Raakhi Aur Rifle (1976)
• Sawa Lakh Se Ek Ladaun (1976) .... Kartar Singh
• Dharam Karam (1975) .... Ustaad ji
• Dharmatma (1975)
• Warrant (1975) .... Pyaara Singh
• Bhagat Dhanna Jatt (1974) .... Dhanna Jatt
• Dukh Bhanjan Tera Naam (1974) .... Daku Daulay Khan
• Har Har Mahadev (1974)
• Kisan Aur Bhagwan (1974)
• Zehreela Insaan (1974)
• Hum Sab Chor Hain (1973)
• Mera Desh Mera Dharam (1973)
• Aankhon Aankhon Mein (1972) .... Pahelwan
• Hari Darshan (1972) .... Bhagwan Shiv
• Lalkaar (1972)
• Mele Mitran De (1972)
• Sultana Daku (1972)
• Ramu Ustad (1971) .... Ramu
• Tulsi Vivah (1971) .... Bhagwan Shri Shiv
• Anand (1970) as guest appearance
• Choron Ka Chor (1970)
• Ilzaam (1970)
• Mera Naam Joker (1970) .... Sher Singh
• Nanak Dukhiya Sab Sansar (1970) .... Kartar Singh
• Apna Khoon Apna Dushman (1969)
• Toofan (1969) .... Badal
• Balram Shri Krishna (1968) .... Balram
• Jung Aur Aman (1968)
• Chand Par Chadayee (1967)
• Do Dushman (1967)
• Daku Mangal Singh (1966)
• Jawan Mard (1966)
• Thakur Jarnail Singh (1966)
• Boxer (1965)
• Hum Sab Ustad Hain (1965)
• Khakaan (1965)
• Lutera (1965)
• Mahabharat (1965) .... Bheem
• Raaka (1965)
• Rustom-E-Hind (1965)
• Sher Dil (1965)
• Sikandar E Azam (1965) .... Sikander (Alexander)
• Tarzan and King Kong (1965) .... Tarzan's opponent
• Tarzan Comes to Delhi (1965) .... Tarzan
• Teen Sardar (1965)
• Aandhi Aur Toofan (1964)
• Aaya Toofan (1964)
• Badshah (1964)
• Darasingh: Ironman (1964) .... Dara Singh
• Hercules (1964) .... Hercules
• Samson (1964) .... Samson
• Veer Bhimsen (1964)
• Faulad (1963)
• Rustom-E-Baghdad (1963) .... Dara/Rustom-E-Baghdad
• King Kong (1962)
• Jagga Daku (1959) .... Jagga Daku
• Pehli Jhalak (1955)
• Sangdil (1952)
• Urr chala Jatayu (udd gaya popat)(1949) .... lead
• Ramayana .... Hanuman
• Daada ( 1966 )
• Watan Se Door ( 1967 )
• Saat Samunder Paar ( 1967 )
• Navjawan (1966)

External links

• Dara Singh's IMDb entry