Dara Singh passed away on Thursday morning following a brief illness

The veteran actor-wrestler was 84. CS presents some lesser-known facts about him:

>> 'Mahabali' Dara Singh was the undisputed champion of champions in the wrestling ring and has won many times including the world championship in 1968.

>> He took to acting in 1962 and is best remembered for his portrayal of Hanuman in popular TV series 'Ramayan'.

>> In 1996 he was inducted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame.

>> His last big-screen appearance was in the Hindi film Jab We Met and in Punjabi, it was Dil Apna Punjabi.

>> He has fought against many world class wrestlers like Zbysko and Lou Thesz and defeated several of them. He also won the titles of Rustam-E-Hind and Rustam-E-Punjab and, together with Yukon Erich, also won the Canadian Open Tag Team Championship.

>> Dara Singh turned director in 1970 with Nanak Dukhiya Sub Sansar. It became a big hit and he directed several movies later.

>> The first time he played Hanuman was for a film Bajrang Bali. He was around when he played Hanuman in the television serial Ramayan. Trends on Twitter

Wrestler-turned-actor Dara Singh's demise has been the most talked about topic on Twitter Thursday and it featured among top five trends on the microblogging site.

As the nation bid a tearful adieu to Dara Singh, who died at his home in Mumbai following a brief illness, his fans took to Twitter to express their grief at the demise of their "childhood" hero.

The late actor was among the top five trends on microblogging site Twitter. From being Lord Hanuman in epic TV series "Ramayana" to fun-loving grandfather in "Hadh Kar Di", Dara Singh's fans remembered the actor for his various performances.



Here's what they had to say:

Jigger Shah: RIP Dara Singh! you were my Hanuman, (my) hero in my childhood days! you will be truly missed! My condolences to his family!

Arpit Agarwal: How is nobody remembering 'Hadh Kar Di' by Sachin Pilgaonkar starring Dara Singh? It was one of the best family sitcoms on TV. RIP Dara Singh.

Rajneesh Chaturvedi: RIP Dara Singh. Your legend will continue to amaze all of us and generations to come with wide eyed splendour....

Foud Farooq: RIP Dara Singh. You are one actor among the oldies that I have always loved to watch.

KJS Arora: Former Wrestler and film actor Dara Singh dies...As a kid, I saw him in the ring many a times...A hero of my generation RIP, Dara Singh.

Pratik Sahu: As a kid I use to think that he was the REAL Hanuman. The only man on Indian TV who could actually be a Superhero. RIP Dara Singhji.

Sugandh Swami: Strength falls apart but you will always be remembered for your gentle persona...

Harsh John: Dara Singhji passed away this morning. A great Indian and one of the finest humans...An entire era of his celebrated presence gone!