Vindu reveals how Dara Singh replaced Pran in Mard

Mard, the 1985 Bollywood action-drama film directed by Manmohan Desai, became a cult classic for its engaging storyline, impeccable performances and screenplay. The story, written by Prayag Raj, revolves around a man named

Mard

(played by Amitabh Bachchan), a brave and fearless individual who fights against injustice.
As the film completed 39 years on November 8, Vindu Dara Singh opened up to ETimes about a fascinating behind-the-scenes moment involving his father, Dara Singh. The film’s opening scene, where a plane is stopped, originally had Pran in mind for the role. However, the film’s director, Manmohan Desai, was so impressed with Dara Singh’s physicality that he eventually replaced Pran with him.

“Whenever Manmohan Desai planned a film, there were always certain people who were part of his team, Amitabh Bachchan as the hero, Pran as the father, and Nirupa Roy as the mother. When the story of Mard was written by Prayag Raj, Manmohan Desai had titled it Mard, and there was a particular scene in which an aircraft had to be stopped. Manmohan Desai told Prayag Raj, “What have you written? Who will believe this?” He then said, “You have not written this for Pran saab, but for Dara Singh.” So, before meeting my father, Manmohan Desai went to Pran saab and told him that the first scene of the film involved a plane being stopped. Pran saab said, “Why have you come to me? Go to Dara Singh.” Manmohan Desai said, “I am going there, but I wanted to tell you this first.” Pran saab replied, “You don’t have to think about anything, just go and make your film,” Vindu told us.

Vindu also shared a fun anecdote from the sets, where his younger brother, Amrik, used to accompany their father. Tinu Verma, who was Dara Singh’s stunt double, used to joke about Amrik, saying, “Vindu toh samajh mein aata hain, body wodi.”
“My brother would get upset with all of this, and Amitabh Bachchan and the others would just watch and not say anything. My brother was very angry and told Tinu to do a “panja” (arm wrestling) with him. This happened when they were shooting in a palace in Bangalore. My father told Tinu, “Do a panja with him.” Tinu said that he was a champion, but then Amitabh Bachchan and Manmohan Desai insisted that the arm-wrestling challenge should happen. My brother ended up defeating Tinu Verma in the challenge,” Vindu added.

Mard was not just known for its action sequences but also its memorable music and whistle-worthy dialogues like ‘Mard ko dard nahi hota’ and many more.