We trace the journey of late Dara Singh's son Vindu from being a failed actor who found success on the small screen towards notoriety

Vindu Dara Singh apparently had tears rolling down his cheeks when the Crime Branch officials began grilling him after his arrest for his alleged links in the IPL betting syndicate. Crying has always come easily to Vindu.

Over three years ago, the actor's sobs was in-your-face on national television when he would get teary-eyed at the drop of a hat on Bigg Boss in which he was a participant.


In fact his late father Dara Singh had been both amused and horrified to see Vindu turn a weepy person on the reality show. The Rustom-e-Hind at that time had stated, `Vindu kuch zyada hi kar raha hai.` This need to do 'something more' has cost him dearly now.

The Akki effect

From being a failed actor after being launched in 1994 to doing bit roles in films, Vindu's life took a new turn after he won the Bigg Boss title. He also owed his fresh lease of life to buddy Akshay Kumar, who he considers as his godfather. Vindu became a permanent fixture in the films Khiladi featured in.


B-Town buzz was that it was Akshay who recommended his dost Vindu for films he starred in like Kambakkht Ishq, Housefull and Housefull 2, Patiala House and Joker. Vindu would also be part of the few and exclusive bashes that Akki and his wife Twinkle held at their home. Among all the A-listers, Vindu would be the odd man out but everyone knew that it was because of his dosti with the Khiladi.


Vindu after winning the Bigg Boss title in 2009

In fact Akshay had even roped in Vindu's wife Dina Umarova as a participant in Khatron Ke Khiladi 4 in 2011, a show Akki had hosted. A model and fashion designer, Dina is from Novosibirsk in Siberia, who met Vindu through friends. The couple has a young daughter Amelia. Vindu was earlier married to actress Farah Naaz (Tabu's sister) from whom he has a son Fateh.

Finding a foothold

Keeping behind his failed marriage and a failed career, Vindu had managed to come out his father's shadows to create an identity of his own.

Post Bigg Boss, Vindu found himself invited to society bashes and launch events apart from getting supporting roles in projects of Sajid Khan and Sajid Nadiadwala.
The sidekick of the hero has now managed to be in the spotlight and grab attention albeit for a wrong reason.

When Vindu was with Sakshi Dhoni...

The story 'What's Vindu doing with Mrs Dhoni?' (Hitlist, April 9) had Vindu talking about his presence at the Mumbai Indians versus Chennai Super Kings match where he was spotted seated next to Indian cricket's first lady Sakshi Dhoni throughout the match. Vindu had stated at that time, `I must have received thousands of calls that night.


I really didn't think that sitting next to Sakshi would get me so much attention. I don't know why the camera was focussing on me so much! Sakshi is like my bhabhi. Dhoni is an extremely humble guy and Sakshi is a really sweet person. She remembered that we had met during the IPL last year.`

The actor stated that he was at the match at the invitation of Chennai Super Kings owner Gurunath Meyyappan. `I know him well. When I reached the box, Sakshi told me to come and sit next to her. I had met Dhoni and her last year during the IPL finale,` Vindu had stated.

Post the match, Vindu met Dhoni and the other team members and then left for Tirupati. `That was the main reason why I was in Chennai as I was keen to visit the Balaji temple,` he had further said.


Did you know?

Vindu has a brother Amrik who is based in Chandigarh and runs a film studio.