While Sunny Deol is grabbing headlines for reportedly charging ₹40–45 crore to play Hanuman in Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming Ramayan, fans can’t help but look back at the original face of Hanuman for Indian audiences — Dara Singh. The legendary wrestler-turned-actor immortalized the character in Ramanand Sagar’s iconic TV series Ramayan, which aired between January 1987 and July 1988.

But how much did Dara Singh actually earn for the role that made him a household name and a figure of reverence?

According to reports, Dara Singh was paid ₹35 lakh for his role as Hanuman in the entire series — a significant amount at the time, but modest when compared to today's high-budget cinematic ventures. Considering inflation and the rise in production costs, this figure would be equivalent to several crores today. Still, it pales in comparison to the hefty ₹40–45 crore fee reportedly paid to Sunny Deol for the same role in the upcoming ₹1600 crore mega-project Ramayan, starring Ranbir Kapoor as Ram and Yash as Ravan.

Interestingly, Dara Singh wasn’t initially keen on playing Hanuman. At 62 years old, he felt a younger actor would be more suited for the physically demanding role. But Ramanand Sagar was determined — and rightly so. Singh’s towering presence, strength, and gentle demeanor made him the perfect embodiment of the beloved deity. His performance was so impactful that many viewers considered him the real Hanuman, offering prayers when he appeared on screen.

Beyond his performance, Dara Singh made personal sacrifices for the role. He reportedly gave up eating non-vegetarian food during the shoot, in keeping with the spiritual and cultural sentiment attached to the character. He would remain without food for hours — first enduring 3–4 hours of makeup, followed by 8–9 hours of continuous shooting.

Dara Singh passed away in 2012, but his portrayal of Hanuman remains etched in the hearts of millions. His role in Ramayan set the benchmark for divine characters on Indian television — a portrayal so iconic that even today, it invites comparisons when new actors step into the same role. And though times, budgets, and fees may have changed, Dara Singh’s Hanuman remains timeless.