Dara Singh Randhawa (Born Deedar Singh Randhawa, Nov 19, 1928- 12 July 2012 ) was an Indian Wrestler, Film and Television Actor, Director, Producer and Member of Parliament. He was encouraged to take up pehelwani since an early age. He started his wrestling career in Singapore in 1949 and Films in 1952. He hails from the village of Dharmuchak in Amritsar, Punjab. In July 2012, He suffered a cardiac arrest and eventually died on July 12, at his home in Mumbai. He was cremated at Juhu Crematorium with a funeral service attended by thousands In 2019, A statue was erected in his honour at Phase 6, Mohali, Punjab next to his Film Studio, Dara Studio.Films and TV- Dara started his film career in 1952 with Sangdil and went on to do between 150-200 films and TV serials. He was a part of two national award winning Punjabi Films, Jagga and Mai Maa Punjab Dee. He established Punjab’s first film Studio, Dara Studio.Family- Dara has 6 Children. 1 from his first marriage and 5 from his second.Wrestling- Dara left studies at an early age to work on his family farm and wrestled locally. He went to Singapore for work in 1949 on board the SS Rajula and had his first international kushti win at Jakarta, Indonesia in the same year. He earlier worked at a Drum Manufacturing plant and later as a security personnel, before doing wrestling full time. During this time he dabbled between Kushti, Freestyle Wrestling and Pro wrestling. He went on to win Champion of Malaysia, Indian Style (1951). This cemented his name which eventually made him rise up in the professional and freestyle wrestling ring, leading him to Rustom-E-Hind (1954), Champion of Commonwealth (1959), Rustom-E-Punjab (1966), World Champion (1968) and NWA Canadian Open Tag Team Championship, earning him a spot in Wrestling Observer Newsletter’s Hall of Fame (1996) and WWE Hall of Fame. (2018).Biographies- His auto-biography is titled Meri Aatamkatha. (Original Language- Punjabi) His biography Deedara! aka Dara Singh is written by Seema Sonik AlimchandHe is also the subject of a comic book, Journey of the Great Dara Singh, launched in 2019 at Mumbai Comic-Con.
Dara Singh
Movies
Kal Ho Naa Ho
The film’s female lead, Naina (Preity Zinta) narrates the story. Her father had committed suicide years ago which left a deep impact on her heart. Her family is dysfunctional since her mother and grandmother just cannot stop arguing. But when Aman (Shahrukh Khan) arrives next door, the whole gloomy conditions…
Ajooba
This is a story of Ajooba, the masked legend, who was treated as the only protector of the people of Baharistan. Ajooba is none other than Ali, the real heir to the kingdom of Baharistan. Unfortunately for Ali, when he was just born, his father and mother were overthrown by…
Anand
Dr Bhaskar Bannerjee is not happy with his profession as he cant save the lives of people dying of illness due to poverty.His Dr friend Kulkarni charges huge for imaginary illness of rich and uses that money to people who cant afford treatment.Things change when Anand a cancer patients enters…
Mera Naam Joker
Raju is a joker, a clown. It is what he is and what he always shall be. As his life story unfolds in three chapters, from his school days to the circus to the streets, he must always make people laugh and be happy, no matter how unhappy he is…
Jab We Met
Depressed after the passing of his father (Dharamraj) and a ditching by his gorgeous girlfriend, Mumbai-based businessman Aditya Kashyap takes a BEST bus, goes to the Chatrapati Shivaji Train Terminus, and boards a train. There he meets Geet Kaur Dhillon, who is returning home to Bhatinda, and who pays for…
Fun Facts
Became wrestling champion of India before winning the world championship crown.
Is the brother of fellow actor Randhawa.
From his first marriage, he has a son - Parduman Singh Randhawa. From his second marriage, he has five children - two sons and three daughters, which includes TV and film actor Vindu Dara Singh.
Dara was paired opposite Mumtaz in 16 Hindi films and 10 were box office hits.
Did 122 Hindi films and 22 Punjabi films.
He became the Commonwealth Champion in 1959 and was 1968 World Champion in Wrestling defeating American Lou Thesz.
He is survived by three sons and three daughters.
Uncle to Bollywood actor Shaad Randhawa.
Has an older son from his first marriage named Parduman Radhawa. Pardhuman acted in the 1968 classic Aankhen. Parduman married a teacher from Delhi named Narinder Randhawa. This was in the late 60's.
Dara Singh has another son named Amrik Randhawa. Amrik acted in Dillagi (1999). Amrik also produced 2 Punjabi movies. Rab Dian Rakha and Ankhila Soorma. Amrik was formerly married to Amrita Randhawa. He has 2 daughters,Amreen and Armaana Randhawa.
He trained his younger brother Randhawa for professional wrestling.
Brother in law of Bollywood actress Malika ( Randhawa's wife).
Son Parduman used the screen name Shailendra in his film Bandish.
Son Amrik Singh's nickname is "Anu"".
Eldest son Parduman's son's name is Ajay Singh (Randhawa). He is married to Harpreet Randhawa. They have a son named Parwan. Parduman has another son named Vijay Singh (Randhawa). He has a son named Navraj Randhawa. Parduman also has a daughter named Preeti Randhawa (Gill). She is based in Surrey