Mumbai, April 1: On the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti, celebrated on Chaitra Purnima, the fervent devotion, courage, strength, and dedication of Lord Hanuman, a beloved devotee of Lord Ram, is remembered. The inspiring tales from the Ramayana have led many actors to portray Hanuman on screen, captivating audiences with their performances.
Among these actors is the late Dara Singh, who not only made a name as a famous wrestler but also shone as an exceptional actor. He played Hanuman in the 1976 film ‘Bajrangbali’ and later became a household name in the 1987 television series ‘Ramayan’ directed by Ramanand Sagar. Standing over six feet tall and weighing around 127 kilograms, Dara Singh’s portrayal left a lasting impact.
Raj Premi took on the lead role of Hanuman in the 1997 show ‘Jai Hanuman,’ produced by Sanjay Khan and aired on Doordarshan. Initially a cricketer, he transitioned into acting and also played Shishupal in ‘Shri Krishna.’
Danish Akhtar Saifi, a wrestler turned actor, portrayed Hanuman in the 2015 series ‘Sia Ke Ram.’ Despite being a Muslim, he is a devoted follower of Hanuman and was known to consume five liters of milk daily during his preparation for the role.
Devdutt Nage, a Marathi cinema actor, played Hanuman in the pan-India film ‘Adipurush,’ released in 2023, alongside Prabhas as Ram and Kriti Sanon as Sita. His performance as the messenger of Lord Ram was well-received.
The list of actors who have embodied Hanuman also includes Nirbhay Wadhwa, who began his career as Dushasan in ‘Mahabharat’ and later played Hanuman in ‘Sankat Mochan Mahabali Hanuman’ and the upcoming show ‘Shreemad Ramayan’ in 2024. He expressed, “Hanuman Ji chooses me repeatedly.”
Vindoo Dara Singh followed in his father’s footsteps, portraying Hanuman in ‘Jai Veer Hanuman’ and ‘Vishnu Puran.’
Additionally, Ekagra Dwivedi won hearts at just six years old by playing young Hanuman in ‘Kahat Hanuman Jai Shri Ram,’ while Ishant Bhanushali took on the role at seven in ‘Sankat Mochan Mahabali Hanuman.’