Mumbai, April 1: Hanuman Jayanti, celebrated on Chaitra Purnima, marks the birth of Lord Hanuman, a devoted follower of Lord Ram. The tales of Hanuman’s devotion, courage, and strength from the Ramayana have inspired many actors to bring this iconic character to life on screen through their remarkable performances.
Among the notable actors who have portrayed Hanuman are the late Dara Singh and Devdutt Nage, along with several others. On this auspicious occasion, we take a look at the artists who have won the hearts of audiences by embodying Hanuman.
Dara Singh, a famous wrestler and actor, first played Hanuman in the 1976 film “Bajrangbali.” He became a household name for his role in the popular television series “Ramayan,” directed by Ramanand Sagar, which aired in 1987. Standing over six feet tall and weighing around 127 kilograms, 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, which was broadcast on Doordarshan. Before becoming an actor, Premi was a cricketer and also played Shishupal in “Shri Krishna.”
Danish Akhtar Saifi, who transitioned from wrestling to acting, portrayed Hanuman in the 2015 show “Siya Ke Ram.” Despite being a Muslim, he is a devoted follower of Hanuman and maintained a weight of 130 kilograms while consuming five liters of milk daily.
Devdutt Nage, a Marathi cinema actor, played Hanuman in the 2023 pan-India film “Adipurush,” featuring Prabhas as Lord Ram and Kriti Sanon as Sita. His performance as the messenger of Lord Ram was well-received.
Nirbhay Wadhwa, who began his career by playing Dushasan in “Mahabharat,” also portrayed Hanuman in “Sankat Mochan Mahabali Hanuman” and the upcoming 2024 show “Shreemad Ramayan.” He remarked, “Hanuman ji chooses me repeatedly.”
Vindoo Dara Singh, following in his father’s footsteps, depicted 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 portrayed the same character at the age of seven in “Sankat Mochan Mahabali Hanuman.”
This celebration of Hanuman Jayanti not only honors the deity but also the talented actors who have brought his story to life on screen.