Dara Singh refused to play Hanuman in Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan due to his age, feared being laughed at: ‘Koi aur dhoondh lo’

Vindu Dara Singh revealed that his father and late actor Dara Singh felt that he was too old to play Hanuman in Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan and was concerned that audiences might find his portrayal amusing.

Dara Singh didn't want to play Hanuman in Ramayan

Dara Singh in a still from Ramayan. (Pic: IMDB)

While numerous actors have portrayed the character of Lord Hanuman, none have left as indelible a mark as Dara Singh’s portrayal in Ramanand Sagar’s iconic TV show Ramayan. In a recent interview, Dara Singh’s son Vindu Dara Singh disclosed that his father initially hesitated to take on the role of Hanuman. Dara Singh felt he might be too old for the part and was concerned that audiences might find his portrayal amusing. However, Ramanand Sagar persisted and convinced Dara Singh to star in his TV series. Vindu also shared that Arun Govil, who played the role of Lord Ram, was initially locked to play Lakshman.

Speaking to Siddharth Kannan, Vindu recalled going to Ramanand Sagar’s house with Dara Singh. He said, “Ramanand Sagar had decided that he wanted to take my father in the role of Hanuman. He had locked Arun Govil for the role of Lakshman. So, my father told me that we have to say no to this role. He said, ‘I can’t do this role in this age because people will laugh.'”

He added, “We went to his house and the whole family was sitting on the table. Ramanand Sagar told my father, ‘Tara get ready.’ My father said, ‘Papaji koe young ladke ko lelo mein nahi kar sakta Hanuman ji iss umar mein. Mein varjish bhi nahi karta (Take a young boy for the role of Hanuman ji. I don’t even have a body-building routine anymore). Ramanand Sagar told my father that you can’t ignore God’s order. He explained that he had already signed the whole cast but he got a dream in which he saw Arun Govil in the role of Lord Ram, Dipika Chikhlia in the role of Sita and my father in the role of Lord Hanuman. He said, ‘Now this is God’s order.'”

Also read | When ‘Hanuman’ Dara Singh, 62, picked up a 70 kg Sunil Lahri on his shoulder while shooting Ramayan: ‘He refused to use a stool’

Ramayan stood as the most expensive TV show produced during its time, garnering global acclaim as the most-watched mythological serial worldwide. Its re-airing during the 2020 coronavirus lockdown shattered numerous viewership records globally, propelling it to the status of the most-watched TV show in the world.

Click here to follow Screen Digital on YouTube and stay updated with the latest from the world of cinema.

The US sanction on the Indian firms were announced on Wednesday.

Six Indian firms face US sanctions over ‘Iran oil trade’

Business31 min ago

The United States Wednesday sanctioned six India-based companies over their alleged involvement in trade and transportation of Iranian crude oil and petroleum products. The US Treasury said it was the most significant Iran-related sanctions action since 2018, during President Donald Trump’s first administration.

View all shorts

More Entertainment

Entertainment Vijay Sethupathi refutes 'filthy' sexual harassment allegations, says accuser is 'obviously doing it to be noticed': 'Jealous elements tarnishing me'