English
Some actors are not just great in front of the camera; they excel in other professions that bring them both fame and wealth. One such multi-talented personality was Dara Singh, who gained immense recognition not only as an actor but also as one of the world’s most renowned and celebrated wrestlers.
Dara Singh began his career in the film industry with Sangdil in 1952, alongside Dilip Kumar and Madhubala. His first major lead role came in 1962 in the film King Kong. Throughout the 1980s, Dara Singh became one of the highest-paid actors in the industry, earning around four lakh rupees for each of his films.
Later, he transitioned to television, where he did several iconic shows, especially with his role as Hanuman in the epic series, Ramayan (1987). His portrayal of the mighty deity made him a household name and he remains synonymous with the character even today. His last film appearance was in Jab We Met in 2007, alongside Kareena Kapoor Khan and Shahid Kapoor.
Long before his film and television career, Dara Singh was a celebrated wrestler. Born in 1928, he began his wrestling journey in 1947 when he moved to Singapore and trained in wrestling while working at a drum manufacturing mill. Standing at 6’2” and weighing 127 kg, he took on some of the biggest opponents around the world and won numerous accolades. His impressive feats in the wrestling ring earned him the title of Rustam-e-Hind, and in 1983, he announced his retirement after his final tournament.
In his autobiography, Deedara AKA Dara Singh!, he revealed his gruelling training regimen and massive diet that included items like 100 grams of ghee, 2 litres of milk, 100 grams of almond thandai, two chickens or half a kg of goat meat, 100 grams of jam, 200 grams of fruits, eight rotis, vegetables and meat every day.
In 2012, Dara Singh suffered a massive heart attack and was admitted to Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital. Two days later, doctors confirmed that he had suffered brain damage. Later, he passed away at his home in Mumbai.
For breaking news and live news updates, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Read more on Latest Entertainment News on India.com.
