Dara Singh Passed Away Today.

[Bundha]

Wrestler-turned-actor Dara Singh has died in the Indian city of Mumbai after a long illness, his doctors say.

The 83-year-old had been admitted to hospital last week after a heart attack.

He was taken home on Wednesday night after doctors said he had little chance of recovery and that there had been significant damage to his brain.

Singh, who won the world wrestling championship in 1960, acted in several Bollywood films and television serials.

He gained huge popularity while playing Hanuman, the monkey god, in the television adaptation of the Hindu epic Ramayana.

He was also a member of parliament from 2003 to 2009 when he was appointed to the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of India's parliament.

His doctor said he passed away "peacefully" at 07:30am [02:00GMT].

Tributes

His films included King Kong, Faulad, Kal Ho Naa Ho and he was last seen in the 2007 hit, Jab We Met.

Meanwhile, tributes have been pouring in for the much-loved Singh.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed his sadness at Singh's death and described him as a "noted film personality and an internationally acclaimed wrestler".

"I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing away of Dara Singh," Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni said in a statement.

"Dara Singh will always have a special place in our heart for his immense contribution to the Indian film industry in various capacities, as an actor, director and producer," she added.

The micro-blogging site Twitter has seen tributes pouring in from Bollywood personalities and fans.

"When childhood heroes die the world looks desolate," veteran director Mahesh Bhatt tweeted.

BBC news

[dashmesh1984]

ok......

[singher23]

So?

[Jonny101]

He was probably the most well known Punjabi wrestler. He came from a very poor background, but worked hard to make his name well known. When he was young, he was very physically fit. In India his name is well known.

[HKaur16]

I heard he had protested against the movement in 1984 and stated that Punjab should keep peace with India? Maybe I am wrong but that is what I have heard.

[RebelSingh]

LEGEND! Cudda done more for our community, but o well wen they get rich/famous they ALL forget where they came from.

[dashmesh1984]

today is shaheedi day of general labh singh....

[hsisingh]

I heard he had protested against the movement in 1984 and stated that Punjab should keep peace with India? Maybe I am wrong but that is what I have heard.

..so you think you heard something about him, but you may be wrong, but you don't know??

..judging by your comment, any Sikh who passes away - their life should be judged by what they said or did in 1984??

for God sake, the guy has only just died and was one of the few Punjabi actors who actually kept his surname Singh!! Rest In Peace.

[HKaur16]

I didn't say anything bad about him all I said was that is what I have heard about him.

[acsap]

Hkaur16 ji you have heard right. Dara singh was no friend of Sikhs that is why his cousin Varindra was killed in 1988.