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

Sunil Lahri, who portrayed the role of Laxman in Ramanand Sagar's iconic Ramayan (1987-88), recounted a memorable scene where Dara Singh, then 62-year-old, effortlessly lifted him on his shoulders.

By: Entertainment Desk

Chennai | Updated: January 24, 2024 10:18 AM IST

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

Sunil Lahri, who portrayed the role of Laxman in Ramanand Sagar’s iconic Ramayan (1987-88), fondly remembered working with the late legendary actor Dara Singh, who played Hanuman in the TV show. Lahri shared interesting anecdotes, highlighting Dara Singh’s incredible strength and humour during the shoot.

Speaking to News18, Sunil Lahri recounted a memorable scene where Dara Singh, then 62-year-old, effortlessly lifted him on his shoulders. Sunil said, “There was a scene in Ramayan that needed Dara Singh to pick me up on his shoulders. I was 70 kg at the time. So I asked him that we can use a stool for the scene and we can cut it later. But he refused. Think about it, how many people at the age of 62 can even walk properly with a straight back? Dara Singh at that age picked me up on his shoulder. He was such a big inspiration. I was in awe of him since childhood and shooting with him was such an amazing experience.”

Lahri also shared a humorous incident from the sets, he said, “There was also a funny incidence. While shooting I was given a chair to sit and Dara ji was given a stool and since I respected him a lot, I offered him to sit on my chair comfortably. He ignored me when I first offered my chair, but when I asked him again, he said, ‘Oye tenu pata nahi hai mere poonchh lagi hue hai (You don’t know there is a tail attached to my back). I can’t sit on a chair’ It was an innocent yet a funny incident.”

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Apart from Dara Singh and Sunil Lahri, Ramayan featured Arun Govil as Ram, Deepika Chikhalia as Sita, and Arvind Trivedi as Ravana.

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

Sunil Lahri, who portrayed the role of Laxman in Ramanand Sagar's iconic Ramayan (1987-88), recounted a memorable scene where Dara Singh, then 62-year-old, effortlessly lifted him on his shoulders.

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