Photographs: Sahil Salvi Patcy N and Sonil Dedhia in Mumbai
Fans arrived in large numbers to bid goodbye to wrestler-actor Dara Singh, who passed away early this morning. He was cremated at the Pawan Hans crematorium in Juhu, a western suburb in Mumbai.
A truck decorated with flowers carried the body from his home, Dara Villa in Juhu, to the crematorium.
Fans shouted slogans like 'Dara Singh Amar Rahe' and 'Bolo Pawan Putra Hanuman Ki Jai' when his body was brought to the crematorium, paying tribute to Dara Singh's most popular character Hanuman in the television serial Ramayana and, later, the Mahabharat.
PIX: Stars, fans say goodbye to Dara Singh
Photographs: Pradeep Bandekar
My father is not dead, he will always live," said a very emotional Vindoo, Dara Singh's eldest son.
"Today, the media saw what my father meant to the people," he added.
"Dara Singh was discharged from hospital on July 11, as it was his last wish to die surrounded by his loved ones."
Also see the video here
Also see the video here
PIX: Stars, fans say goodbye to Dara Singh
Photographs: Pradeep Bandekar
Politician Kripa Shankar Singh, of the Congress Party, said, "My heartfelt condolences to Dara Singh's family. He was such a good human being. Be it wrestling, acting or politics, Dara Singh has always had a successful and illustrious career."
"He was so strong and influential, but he never misused it. He portrayed the role of Hanuman in Ramanyan where he got the Sanjeevani herb for Laxman (to cure him of his life-threatening wounds). I was hoping someone could get the Sanjeevani for Dara Singh. He would be so helpful and would always be involved in doing good work. He has left a great influence behind."
PIX: Stars, fans say goodbye to Dara Singh
Photographs: Pradeep Bandekar
Dara uncle was like an icon and a wonderful human being," said Fardeen Khan. "It is a huge loss for the industry. He has made a huge contribution to the industry. I have extremely fond memories of him."
Fardeen's mother-in-law -- the beautiful yesteryear actress Mumtaz -- was Dara Singh's discovery and acted with him in 16 movies. Her sister later married Dara Singh's brother.
PIX: Stars, fans say goodbye to Dara Singh
Photographs: Pradeep Bandekar
Actor Feroz Khan, who played Arjun in Mahabharat, said Dara Singh was a very nice human being and was very helpful to newcomers.
Singh even shared his make-up room with Khan. "He was like a father to me, and he treated me like his son. Simplicity was another name for Dara Singh," he said.
Khan and Singh later acted in a film as well, but it was never released.
PIX: Stars, fans say goodbye to Dara Singh
Photographs: Pradeep Bandekar
I have known Dara Singh for the last 50 years," said Punit Issar, who played Duryodhan in Mahabharat. "My father and Dara Singh were friends so our families would meet often. Vindoo and Anu (Dara Singh's son, Amrik) are like younger brothers to me. So are Dara Singh's daughters, Kamal, Deepa and Lovely.
"I'd always wanted to be like Dara Singh," he added. "In those days, every child wanted have a body like Dara Singh's. He was a symbol of strength, he was He-Man.
"Dara Singh never got angry; he never raised his voice or abused. He was always smiling," Issar said.
"We would take tips from Dara Singh; follow his diet. These days, people take steroids to build their body but Dara Singh had that body because of his workouts."
PIX: Stars, fans say goodbye to Dara Singh
Photographs: Pradeep Bandekar
It's a great loss for us," said television and Punjabi film actor Dheeraj Kumar.
"During the 1980s, I did a lot of Punjabi films and looked up to Dara Singh. When I met him for the first time, he had told me, 'After a long time, there is a young and handsome man in the industry.' He was a very simple person. He lived a long life and I believe he never had any complaints in life."
PIX: Stars, fans say goodbye to Dara Singh
Photographs: Pradeep Bandekar
I would bunk school and watch Dara Singhji's wrestling matches between his son and him," said actor-director Parmeet Sethi.
"His son was in my school and a friend of mine," he added. "Once, after the match, I travelled back home with him in his car. He was such a humble person -- like a gentle giant.
"I have never seen him angry. He never got into any controversy. I was inspired by him," he added.
PIX: Stars, fans say goodbye to Dara Singh
Photographs: Pradeep Bandekar
Actor Raza Murad called Dara Singh a simple person, who never lost his temper and lived simply.
Among the film personalities who attended the funeral were actor Rishi Kapoor, filmmaker Sajid Khan and actors Jaspal Bhatti and Anoop Soni.
PIX: Stars, fans say goodbye to Dara Singh
Photographs: Pradeep Bandekar
Actors like Abhishek Bachchan, Tabu, Bobby Deol and Manoj Kumar went to Dara Singh's residence earlier in the day to pay their respects to the late actor.
PIX: Stars, fans say goodbye to Dara Singh
Photographs: Pradeep Bandekar
Dolly Bindra, who was in Bigg Boss with Vindoo, also came to pay her last respects.
PIX: Stars, fans say goodbye to Dara Singh
Photographs: Pradeep Bandekar
Yesteryear actor Chandrashekar, who came for the funeral, looked rather unwell.
PIX: Stars, fans say goodbye to Dara Singh
Photographs: Pradeep Bandekar
Mahendra Sandhu, who played Agent Vinod in 1977 flick, also came to condole the family.
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