&imwidth=800&imheight=600&format=webp&quality=medium "Happy Birthday Dara Singh: 10 amazing facts about the actor who played Hanuman in Ramayan")
Dara Singh Randhawa, one of the most favourite wrestlers of India, was born on November 19, 1928. Undefeated throughout his career, he has brought immense pride to the nation on the international wrestling stage. Beyond the ring, Dara Singh has also gained his fame as a Bollywood actor and a Punjabi film producer. The 83-year-old legendary wrestler passed away on July 12, 2012, in Mumbai.
Here are 10 incredible facts about the actor who played Hanuman in Ramayan:
1. Dara Singh (1928–2012) began as a champion wrestler, holding titles like Rustam-e-Punjab, Rustam-e-Hind, and winning the World Wrestling Championship by defeating Lou Thesz in 1968.
2. Hailing from Dharmuchak, Punjab, he stood 6'2" and weighed over 130 kg, renowned for his immense strength and athleticism, and had bigger body measurements than most Indian wrestlers at that time.
3. His wrestling debut was in 1948, and he retired undefeated in 1983, having fought over 500 professional matches without a single loss. In 1947, he visited Singapore, where he was crowned the Champion of Malaysia after defeating Tarlok Singh.
4. At the age of 26, he became the National Wrestling Champion in 1954. He also became the Commonwealth Champion in 1959 by defeating favourites such as King Kong, George Gordienko and John Desilva. And also became the World Champion by defeating America's Lou Thesz in 1968.
Trending Stories
)
Wimbledon 2026: Karolina Muchova's 'ex-friend' joke steals the show after final heartbreak
)
US Senator Lindsey Graham, key Trump ally, dies after 'sudden illness'; Trump says 'will be greatly missed': Who was he
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why does the B-52 bomber still use eight engines?
)
UK tells female soldiers to double their diet and sleep more to match male soldiers
)
Afghanistan seeks Indian seeds and technology to boost farming and food security
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How many tires does a B-52 bomber have?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
From Odysseus to Athena: Who’s who in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey? Full cast guide
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Who is Linda Noskova? Meet the new Wimbledon 2026 women's singles champion
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How can the B-52 bomber carry so many different types of weapons?
)
Tom Holland on why The Odyssey will be celebrated by Indians who crave larger-than-life cinema
)
Why do Nepal students, who made him PM, want Balen Shah to resign | WION Decodes
)
HIMARS launched from Bahrain? US launches BIG attack on Iran after Hormuz closure, Hegseth says 'now they pay'
)
Russia-Ukraine war: Putin urges remote work after massive Ukrainian strikes
)
Man claims he travelled to year 3700. Robots had killed 30% of humans. Here is what else he says he saw
)
₹2,000: The last of the pink notes face quiet exit as RBI confirms 98.5% of currency returned
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the B-52 bomber is outliving newer bombers
)
World's first once-a-week insulin launched in India: Here's how much it costs
)
Fact Check: Viral photo shows Trump leaning in for a kiss with Brigitte Macron. Here is the full truth
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How does stealth actually work? The physics of B-2 bomber that radar simply cannot see
)
Can Trump really order Iran’s destruction if he is assassinated? Here’s what US law says
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why only 21 B-2 bombers were built?
)
From 96% to 3 zeros: Professor suspected AI cheating in remote exam. What he did next exposed 57 of 59 students
)
Afghanistan’s top diplomat in Delhi seeks India’s help in water management, agriculture modernisation
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the F-22 cockpit is much smaller than you might expect
)
18 women developed kidney problems in Nagpur. Medical probe found a common culprit
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How much does a B-52 bomber cost?
)
Sucked into another dimension? Rumours swirl physicist vanished while working on science of 'being in two places at once'
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why Russian fighter jets leave exhaust pipes raw compared to US jets
)
'I requested...': Trump taken to Walter Reed hospital amid Iran strikes? What we know
)
US military withdraws stealth fighter jets from Israeli airbase even as tensions with Iran flare up again
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why are the B-52 bomber's tyres different from those on most aircraft?
)
Japanese researchers find invisible gold in massive quantities hiding beneath seafloor
)
Avengers-Doomsday: Marvel Studios unveils concept poster featuring Thor, Loki, Steve Rogers and more | Watch
)
195 kisses in 30 seconds: Brazilian couple sets unusual Guinness World Record
)
Why England's equaliser vs Norway was so controversial: FIFA explains camera wire incident
5. Dara Singh debuted in Hindi cinema in the 1950s, acting in over 100 films in multiple languages, often cast in action roles. He rose to national icon status portraying Hanuman in Ramanand Sagar’s TV serial Ramayan (1987-88), with audiences revering him as the “real” Hanuman.
6. At age 60, he initially hesitated to play Hanuman, but director Ramanand Sagar insisted after a dream “directed by God.” Dara Singh’s sincere performance led to people worshipping him as Hanuman.
7. He was the first sportsman nominated to the Rajya Sabha, serving as a parliamentarian (2003–09) for the Bharatiya Janata Party.
8. Dara Singh also produced and directed movies, notably contributing to Punjabi, Hindi, and Tamil cinema. Some of his most popular movies are Sikander-e-Aazam, Rustom-E-Baghdad, Watan Se Door, Daada, Sher Dil, and Raaka, and in more recent times, Kal Ho Na Ho and Jab We Met.
9. He published his autobiography, “Meri Aatma Katha,” and was honoured with India’s Best Actor Award for ‘Jagga’ (1964).
10. Dara Singh passed away at 83 from cardiac arrest in 2012, leaving an enduring legacy as India’s original “muscleman” and a symbol of strength and virtue.
