Bollywood thespian Dilip Kumar has described late wrestler-actor Dara Singh as a "gem" with "a heart of gold".

"Dara was a gem of a man, earthy and robust, with a heart of gold. I pray for his soul and for the family to bear the loss with fortitude," tweeted Dilip Kumar. Dara Singh, considered Bollywood's first macho man, died here Thursday morning following a brief illness. He was 84.

The man of steel was last seen in the Kareena Kapoor-Shahid Kapoor starrer "Jab We Met" as the stern, lovable 'Daarji'. Several fans and tinsel town celebrities paid their last respects to the star at his funeral Thursday afternoon.