Mumbai: Rustam-e-Hind Dara Singh, who never lost a fight in the ring, lost a protracted battle against death on Thursday morning. The veteran actor-wrestler breathed his last at 7.30 am at his Mumbai residence, in presence of his family and friends. He was 84.
The news of his death was announced by his son, actor Vindu Dara Singh; as per reports his last rites would be conducted at 2 pm today.
Dara Singh had suffered cardiac arrest on July 7 and was rushed Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital. He underwent dialysis and was put on ventilator, however, his condition continued to deteriorate.
To respect his wish – he wanted to breathe his last at his home – the family shifted him back to their residence yesterday evening.
Dara Singh personal physician Dr Agarwal said, “Yesterday, we brought him from hospital to home…his wish was that he be at his home between his family. He passed away at 7.30 am due to cardio-respiratory arrest, he had suffered paralysis a few years back, and he also had a very rare brain disease.”
Importantly, Dr Agarwal said that the ventilator and other support systems were removed only after his death.
‘Mahabali’ Dara Singh was the undisputed champion of champions in the wrestling ring and has won many times including the world championship in 1968. He took to acting in 1962 and is best remembered for his portrayal of Hanuman in popular TV series ‘Ramayan’.
Dara Singh was also known for his generous kind nature. Affable to the extreme, he made friends easily and never misused his power even in his heydays.
India has a lost a jewel today.
‘Rustum-e-Hind’ Dara Singh: The end of the ‘strongman’ saga
Endowed the coveted titles of ‘Rustum-e-Punjab’ and ‘Rustum-e-Hind’, wrestler Dara Singh was one who left no stone unturned in justifying every scintilla of the titles bestowed on him. Since his incipience in wrestling, Dara Singh won almost all of his matches. His stature as a professional wrestler is one that is insurmountable. He still remains the only professional wrestler who had defeated each one of his rivals on their home ground.
Apart from professional wrestling championships, Dara Singh displayed his skills on invitations from princely states and entertained spectators with his wrestling in open haats and melas too. In India and abroad, the champion wrestler had numerous times been pitted against some of the ‘strongest’ names in the history of wrestling, and he came out of the wrestling rings, unscathed, undefeated.
Dara Singh’s enviable career entailed touring all the Commonwealth countries and winning all contests, which left many wondering about the reason behind the man’s immense success. And as they say, sheer hard work was the unadulterated road to the wrestler’s indomitable achievements. Dara Singh defeated Oriental Champion King Kong, George Gordienko of Canada, John Desilva of New Zealand among the more famous names, and many other wrestlers all over the world. May 29, 1968 was the day when Singh was crowned the Champion of the World.
In 1983, ‘Rustum-e-Hind’ announced his retirement from wrestling, and even then, he stood undefeated. His last tournament, where the news of his retirement was broken to the public, saw Rajiv Gandhi inaugurating the event and Dr. Giani Zail Singh presenting him with the trophy of the winner.
Having earned a bevy of titles including that of the ‘Rustum-e-Hind’, Singh was then bequeathed the title of ‘Action King’ when he ventured into the Hindi film industry. During the 1960s and 1970s, the Indian moviegoer was treated to snippets of the actor ‘taking the shirt off’. Dara Singh, the man who was thought to be the engenderer of the trend, found many following in his footsteps once he began taking his shirt off in front of the camera. Many films had him as the lead hero, and veteran actress Mumtaz is one of Singh’s discoveries. Sixteen Hindi films saw Mumtaz being paired across Dara Singh.
During the 1980s and 1990s, the retired wrestler dived into the world of Television. And yet again, the Indian audience was treated to his magnanimity when he donned the garb of Hanuman in the TV Series Ramayana. Till date, he is best known by that phenomenal role of his – till date, he is addressed as the Hanuman of the yesteryears.
Dara Singh’s several decades long career saw an end with his appearance in the 2007 film ‘Jab We Met’, where he essayed the role of the lead lady’s grandfather. He was inducted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame in 1996.
He leaves behind a bereaved family and innumerable dejected fans and followers, and an unparalleled collection of films. Dara Singh’s is a legacy that will never be replaced in Indian Cinema.
Dara Singh memories: Bollywood pours tribute
New Delhi: The great Dara Singh is no more. The sad news came at 7.30 in the morning today via an sms from Dara Singh’s son Vindu Dara Singh. Dara Singh suffered a massive cardio respiratory arrest on 7 July following which the actor had a brain damage. Bollywood woke up to a rude shock when they got to know about the demise of the great wrestler-actor. People from the fraternity spoke to the media and shared their experience of working with the legendary actor.
Anupam Kher: It’s unfortunate. He was the most amazing person. He was a man with a golden heart. He was the first real ‘hero’ of films. Even though he was so strongly built, he never used to throw his weight around people. He was so humble. As a struggling actor and as fan when I went to see him once, the mega personality of that era was kind enough to acknowledge my presence.
Om Puri: I had the opportunity to work with him in two films, and it was a great experience. He was a sweetheart. Even though he had a dominating persona, he was shy and took his work seriously. His death has left void which wouldn’t be filled for long.
Subhash Ghai: The way he was lived life should be an example for all of us. I still remember when I worked with him in ‘Karma’ he had great respect for the work and was an inspiration for other actors as well as me. He lived a complete life. Today he is no more with us, I am really bereaved, but I feel for a strong man like him, his departure should be celebrated.
Mahesh Bhatt: He was a fascinating pehlwan of our film industry. Memories of this warm `pehlwan` turned actor flicker in my memory. When childhood heroes die the world looks desolate. He was rooted to our motherland. His mere presence made us all feel proud. One cannot celebrate 100 years of cinema unless we celebrate the greatness of the man called Dara Singh.
Sajid Khan: It’s extremely sad. The iconic figure of Bollywood is no more. He was the symbol of strength. He was a father like figure for me. The loss is irreparable.
Some Bollywood celebs took to Twitter to offer their prayers:
Amitabh Bachchan – Dara Singh ji passed away this morning. A great Indian and one of the finest humans..An entire era of his celebrated presence gone !
Rana Daggubati – RIP Dara Singh!! Our childhood hero no more!!
Rajat Kapoor ? – RIP dara singh saheb- now hopefully we`ll have a retrospective of his films..
Shoojit Sircar ? – As a kid always new one man will save us from all monsters..it`s Dara Singh….thot he can`t loose….he is no more…RIP..
Shah Rukh Khan – 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
Farah Khan – The gentlest giant is no more.Dara uncle the 1st ever action hero of our country,rest in peace
Abhishek Bachchan – Dara ji passes away. Had the honour of working with him in Shararat. The most gentle and kind man. Really looked up to him. Will miss him. He was always so loving and gave the best hugs. Remember meeting him for the 1st time while dad was shooting Mard. Was convinced….That he truly was the only human who could not be pulled apart by even airplanes.
“Dara Singh, till the very end fought very bravely and even in the hospital he was like a Dara Singh,” his family doctor said. Today at 2 pm the family members plan to cremate him.
Source: india.com
